Cary Academy's women's soccer coach, Jeff Costa, always sends out the scores from his team's games. No matter what, win or lose, I get a brief recap in my inbox that night or the next day on how the Lady Chargers did.
But then comes their game against Wesleyan Christian Academy, a 2-1 loss back on April 9. To call the masterpiece that showed up in my inbox the next day just "a recap" simply doesn't do it justice. It brings together eight different Shakespearean quotes that go along with nine different observations.
As an avid fan of both sports and Shakespeare (took a class on Shakespeare in my last semester of college and notched an "A" if I'm not mistaken), I asked Costa if I could share it with others here on the SWakeSports blog, and he obliged. Here it is:
Words fail me when it comes to describing last night's game against Weslyan Christian Academy. So, I have borrowed a few snippets from the Bard. I, of course, have changed some of the original meanings to more appropriately fit my story.
"When shall we...meet again in thunder, lightning, or in rain?" Macbeth (Act I, Scene I)
Our game was delayed due to a storm that rolled through the area early in the afternoon.
"I have no other but a woman's reason" The Two Gentlemen of Verona (I, ii, 23-24)<http://www.enotes.com/gentleman-verona-text/38363#other>
I believe some of our players thought the game would be cancelled. This laissez-faire attitude was evident as we were going through the motions in warm-ups.
"We have seen better days" As You Like It Act 2, scene 7, 120–126<http://www.enotes.com/ayli-text/act-ii-scene-7#betterdays>
We were disjointed defensively from the start due to lack of effort and lack of communication. WCA slipped in behind us to take a early lead.
"Sigh no more, ladies, sigh no more" Much Ado About Nothing Act 2, scene 3, 62–69<http://www.enotes.com/muchado-text/act-ii-scene-iii#muc-2-3-60>
We regrouped on the field and created possession and scoring chances. Good organization and leadership from the ladies.
"As good luck would have it" - The Merry Wives of Windsor (Act III, Scene V)
Caitlyn Kelly's long distance shot found a home in the back of the net to tie the score.
"To sleep, perchance to dream" Hamlet (III, i, 65-68)<http://www.enotes.com/hamlet-text/act-iii-scene-i#ham-3-1-72>
We fell asleep on a corner kick and they ran in unmarked to the back post to pull ahead.
"For Goodness Sake" Henry The Eighth Prologue, 23–25<http://www.enotes.com/henry-viii-text/prologue#goodness>
We had several more attacking chances, many on frame, but were unable to tie the game.
"Sweet are the uses of adversity" As You Like It Act 2, scene 1, 12–17<http://www.enotes.com/ayli-text/act-ii-scene-1#sweetare>
We will either learn the lesson about not being mentally ready to play or we will repeat it.
"Be not afraid of greatness" Twelfth Night (II, v, 156-159)<http://www.enotes.com/twelfth-text/act-ii-scene-v?start=2#twe-actiii-sec-iv-36>
A characteristic of a great team is that it is motivated and hungry regardless of the opponent or conditions. We need to aproach every game with a consistent level of attentiveness and effort.
Our next game is Thursday at home at 4:30 pm against St. Mary's in our Senior Night game.
