Not that there needs to be any explanation, honestly, but ever heard the saying "until you have walked a mile in another man's shoes...." The majority of Villa coaches are not teachers and have full-time day jobs, so sometimes there is a delay in the relay of information from Athletics to them. In addition, since Bluegrass Games the varsity head coach has been handling emergency health issues with a family member, which the Villa community has been rallying around with support and prayers. I guarantee that given the genuine integrity, commitment and generous heart of our coach, the late notice to Boone coaches and players was in no way meant disrespectful. In fact, until Wednesday afternoon the Villa JV team assumed they were still going to play Boone JV after Ludlow varsity. Instead of placing blame for an incidental situation that caused minor inconveniences, maybe the more polite thing to do is assume it was accidental and unintential and move on.

 

The comments that generate from posts like this I find comical yet frustrating. In what started as a simple congratulations for an outstanding milestone for the Villa defensive line, ended with the thread hijacked to complain and speculate about a coach for short notification of a cancellation and then banter about reasons as to why Boone and Highlands have not played. No wonder more small schools do not post about their player and team accomplishments. It's not that we are not proud of our teams, we just know that a bigger dog will come in and downplay or refute whatever our team has accomplished, attempting to tarnish and discredit any achievement because we are a "small school"!

 

I for one love reading about the personal and team successes from any school for any sport. So small, large, private, or public, I don't care, post away and share your athletic triumphs....I promise not to pass judgement and look forward to posting my praises!

Not that there needs to be any explanation, honestly, but ever heard the saying "until you have walked a mile in another man's shoes...." The majority of Villa coaches are not teachers and have full-time day jobs, so sometimes there is a delay in the relay of information from Athletics to them. In addition, since Bluegrass Games the varsity head coach has been handling emergency health issues with a family member, which the Villa community has been rallying around with support and prayers. I guarantee that given the genuine integrity, commitment and generous heart of our coach, the late notice to Boone coaches and players was in no way meant disrespectful. In fact, until Wednesday afternoon the Villa JV team assumed they were still going to play Boone JV after Ludlow varsity. Instead of placing blame for an incidental situation that caused minor inconveniences, maybe the more polite thing to do is assume it was accidental and unintential and move on.

 

The comments that generate from posts like this I find comical yet frustrating. In what started as a simple congratulations for an outstanding milestone for the Villa defensive line, ended with the thread hijacked to complain and speculate about a coach for short notification of a cancellation and then banter about reasons as to why Boone and Highlands have not played. No wonder more small schools do not post about their player and team accomplishments. It's not that we are not proud of our teams, we just know that a bigger dog will come in and downplay or refute whatever our team has accomplished, attempting to tarnish and discredit any achievement because we are a "small school"!

 

I for one love reading about the personal and team successes from any school for any sport. So small, large, private, or public, I don't care, post away and share your athletic triumphs....I promise not to pass judgement and look forward to posting my praises!

This is a ridiculous argument... not just this post but the whole thing.

Now this is why I checkout the Soccer Forums.......carry on.

Now this is why I checkout the Soccer Forums.......carry on.

 

It'll keep you coming back...

No wonder more small schools do not post about their player and team accomplishments. It's not that we are not proud of our teams, we just know that a bigger dog will come in and downplay or refute whatever our team has accomplished, attempting to tarnish and discredit any achievement because we are a "small school"!

I kinda agree that this does happen. But keep on posting anyway. All players deserve to be recognized.

The onus of responsibility for making sure district seeding games are played, counting the number of games played, and giving opponents proper lead time on notifications of changes, lies on the respective Athletic Directors and not the para-professional head coaches.

 

Incidentally Dixie Heights ended the Villa season 3-0 on Monday.

Yes, thanks "Mustang" for the update, Villa's season did end on Monday by a well-earned victory from the Dixie team, who then went on to win Districts defeating St. Henry 2-1.

During regular season, we played Dixie in a fairly evenly matched game until a finely placed corner kick gave Dixie the ultimate lead and final score of 1-0. Villa had hopes of returning to the field in a similar matchup for Districts, but Dixe came out and dominated on the offensive front.

 

What your simple update from perusing the KHSAA scoreboard failed to provide is the tremendous effort the Villa defense put forth the entire game, never giving up. As I said, Dixie was by all intense purposes the aggressor most of the game and the score could have been much higher had the Villa defenders and goalie not shut them down with some incredible saves. In fact, in the final minutes of the game the Villa goalie stopped a PK, showing the tenacity that has been present by this defensive squad all season.

 

The original intent of this thread (with the exception of one other poster who offered very positive remarks) has been completely overlooked.

 

As of last week, the Villa Girls were listed on the KHSAA Stat Leaders in the Top 20 Team Defense, as well as Assist Leaders (Maddie Berberich/18).

2

Glenn and his staff do a great job with the Villa program. His teams understand their strengths and have made it difficult for teams to score, particularly on their smaller field at home. Opponents have been frustrated for years playing at Villa, taking shot after shot and not being able to convert. Fact that it happens consistently, tells you their staff knows defending. They didn't miss a beat this year with such a young team.

 

In fact, the entire 34th district was very young this year.

 

You were also right about the effort of the Villa defense Monday night, they were constantly under attack. Unofficial stats had Dixie with 34 shots Monday, 17 on frame. The game easily could have gotten out of hand, Villa battled until the end and should be proud of their season.

Future seems bright for villa.

I kinda agree that this does happen. But keep on posting anyway. All players deserve to be recognized.

 

I agree @hoops5, I enjoy reading @WhatsBestForTheGirls post about Villa. I wish more schools had parents dedicated to promoting their school.

Yes, thanks "Mustang" for the update, Villa's season did end on Monday by a well-earned victory from the Dixie team, who then went on to win Districts defeating St. Henry 2-1.

During regular season, we played Dixie in a fairly evenly matched game until a finely placed corner kick gave Dixie the ultimate lead and final score of 1-0. Villa had hopes of returning to the field in a similar matchup for Districts, but Dixe came out and dominated on the offensive front.

 

What your simple update from perusing the KHSAA scoreboard failed to provide is the tremendous effort the Villa defense put forth the entire game, never giving up. As I said, Dixie was by all intense purposes the aggressor most of the game and the score could have been much higher had the Villa defenders and goalie not shut them down with some incredible saves. In fact, in the final minutes of the game the Villa goalie stopped a PK, showing the tenacity that has been present by this defensive squad all season.

 

The original intent of this thread (with the exception of one other poster who offered very positive remarks) has been completely overlooked.

 

As of last week, the Villa Girls were listed on the KHSAA Stat Leaders in the Top 20 Team Defense, as well as Assist Leaders (Maddie Berberich/18).

216 KY Girls Soccer Stat Leaders

 

Their season ended Monday, but they were 10-4-4 and ultimately finished with 12 shutouts, 10 consecutively. Graduating only 2 (non-starting) Seniors and majorily Freshmen and Sophomore Defenders, you can count on seeing these girls back at it next year even more primed after one full varsity season together under their belt.

 

Best of luck to those teams who begin Regional play. Great effort to all whose season may have ended, and we look forward to seeing you on the field next year.

 

My pleasure; post #4.

Sounds like Villa will be back stronger and with more experience next season, clearly they will contend for a regional spot.

Congratulations to the ENTIRE Villa Madonna team not just the defense on setting their school record. I would like to remind the OP that there are 11 players on the field and to single out Villa's "defense line" as you did several times in this thread is some what disrespectful to the other players on the field.

 

I was at Monday's game and Dixie style of play was much more high tempo compared to Villa. Dixie went into the Villa game with a 7-8-4 record. Dixie had played 5 teams in the top 20 in the state. Sure Villa might have a great personal season but the teams that they shut out this season, did it prepare them for the District tournament? According to the Maher rankings Villa's strength of schedule was 415 compared to Dixie's 109. In the 9th region Villa's schedule strength was 3rd to the bottom with just Ludlow and Covington Latin lower. Dayton had a tougher schedule then Villa this year. Since the Boone County game cancellation has been mentioned in the thread, if I were Villa's coaches I would have gone for the coin toss with seeding in the district games just for the chance to play a tough team like Boone County before playing either Dixie or St Henry.

 

I realize that Villa is a small private school with a low enrollement and I do not want to take away from their team's achievement this year. I would even go to say that Villa had more talent then Dixie's team has but I did not see them work together or hustle the way that Dixie did. This was gained from playing a tougher schedule. Dixie seemed to have more heart then Villa did. I would suggest that if they want to do better in the post season in the future that they play tougher teams leading up to the District tournament and not play the cupcake teams that they did this season.

Edited October 14, 20169 yr by sufside

Congratulations to the ENTIRE Villa Madonna team not just the defense on setting their school record. I would like to remind the OP that there are 11 players on the field and to single out Villa's "defense line" as you did several times in this thread is some what disrespectful to the other players on the field.

 

I was at Monday's game and Dixie style of play was much more high tempo compared to Villa. Dixie went into the Villa game with a 7-8-4 record. Dixie had played 5 teams in the top 20 in the state. Sure Villa might have a great personal season but the teams that they shut out this season, did it prepare them for the District tournament? According to the Maher rankings Villa's strength of schedule was 415 compared to Dixie's 109. In the 9th region Villa's schedule strength was 3rd to the bottom with just Ludlow and Covington Latin lower. Dayton had a tougher schedule then Villa this year. Since the Boone County game cancellation has been mentioned in the thread, if I were Villa's coaches I would have gone for the coin toss with seeding in the district games just for the chance to play a tough team like Boone County before playing either Dixie or St Henry.

 

I realize that Villa is a small private school with a low enrollement and I do not want to take away from their team's achievement this year. I would even go to say that Villa had more talent then Dixie's team has but I did not see them work together or hustle the way that Dixie did. This was gained from playing a tougher schedule. Dixie seemed to have more heart then Villa did. I would suggest that if they want to do better in the post season in the future that they play tougher teams leading up to the District tournament and not play the cupcake teams that they did this season.

@Lawnboy13 @hoops5 @gameplayedright

Just when I get excited for Villa and their players with positive feedback from individuals such as yourself, another poster proves me right with their negativity and reasons to dispute or challenge Villa's success - case and point from @sufside.

 

First of all, please note, I began this thread with an overall congratulations to the ENTIRE Villa Madonna Academy Varsity Soccer Team, not just the defense. Now, I did highlight or focus some attention on the defense because the shut-out record and Top 20 Defensive Stat was attributable majorily to the defense. You won't find a goalie or full back leading in assists or goals, hence the terminology "defense" is going to apply to credit for shut-outs. There was never any disrespect displayed for any part of the team and you are out of line and off base for even indicating such. Congratulations was offered for all the Villa players and coaches several times in my post.

 

Honestly, I am so tired of strength of schedule being thrown at any school - not just Villa, I have seen it for other schools in other forums. We have to play the teams in our Conference, end of story. Then there are classic rivalries with schools of similar dynamics that are scheduled.

 

Each year, the Villa coaching staff schedules a few challenging stretch games to give the girls that tougher schedule element. FYI, one of our shut-outs was against St. Henry (after double OT we lost by one PK) who by no means is a "cupcake team"; oh yes, they also defeated Dixie in regular season. Personally, I find your reference to Villa playing "cupcake teams" insulting to us and our opponents - did you even bother to look at our actual schedule or just utilize the Maher rankings? I don't consider Scott, Calvary, Walton-Verona, Beechwood, or Montgomery Co. "cupcake teams"! Brossart and Boone were also scheduled but rained out.

 

The Boone game being cancelled was a huge disappointment, especially right before Districts. However, I am not on the coaching staff and I will not use this forum to speculate or second guess the Athletic Department or Coaches as to how decisions are reached. Personally, I think ADs and Coaches are all underappreciated and definitely in private schools underpaid, so why Villa did not opt for the coin flip in order to play Boone versus playing Ludlow is none of my business.

 

Monday was definitely not one of Villa's better showings overall, and as I said in response to "Mustang" it was a well-deserved victory on Dixie's part. But I do not believe that one post-season flat outing defines an entire season for a team, nor should it take away from any successes they earned, which is what appears to be indicated in @sufside reply. I appreciate @nkysoccerparent identifying some specific stats from Monday's game, supporting the backbone of my post, if you will, that the defense was constantly under attack Monday and did an exceptional job working together, specifically with the transition to turf. Really, between Villa, Dixie and St. Henry, based on their performance throughout the season (and I am not talking statistically, I mean what I witnessed skillwise during games) it could have been any of the 3 of them to take Districts. There was an obvious momentum from Dixie that Villa did not have. It appeared present again on Wednesday in the finals when they defeated St. Henry.

 

I appreciate those of you who graciously took this post at face value, without looking to discredit every factual detail. As I said, having to constantly defend legitmate triumphs and successes, especially when it comes to being statistically ranked by KHSAA, is exhausting, but I don't mind if the girls get the recognition they deserve. Small school or not, they are still putting in the endless hours, dedication and effort for preseason and conditioning, as well as a rigorous practice and game schedule throughout the season.

@Lawnboy13 - thank you for the kind words. I am not quite as polished or eloquent in my expressions as your postings, nor do I have the positive following that you have created, but I am working on it!

Congratulations to the ENTIRE Villa Madonna team not just the defense on setting their school record. I would like to remind the OP that there are 11 players on the field and to single out Villa's "defense line" as you did several times in this thread is some what disrespectful to the other players on the field.

 

I was at Monday's game and Dixie style of play was much more high tempo compared to Villa. Dixie went into the Villa game with a 7-8-4 record. Dixie had played 5 teams in the top 20 in the state. Sure Villa might have a great personal season but the teams that they shut out this season, did it prepare them for the District tournament? According to the Maher rankings Villa's strength of schedule was 415 compared to Dixie's 109. In the 9th region Villa's schedule strength was 3rd to the bottom with just Ludlow and Covington Latin lower. Dayton had a tougher schedule then Villa this year. Since the Boone County game cancellation has been mentioned in the thread, if I were Villa's coaches I would have gone for the coin toss with seeding in the district games just for the chance to play a tough team like Boone County before playing either Dixie or St Henry.

 

I realize that Villa is a small private school with a low enrollement and I do not want to take away from their team's achievement this year. I would even go to say that Villa had more talent then Dixie's team has but I did not see them work together or hustle the way that Dixie did. This was gained from playing a tougher schedule. Dixie seemed to have more heart then Villa did. I would suggest that if they want to do better in the post season in the future that they play tougher teams leading up to the District tournament and not play the cupcake teams that they did this season.

Villa set a new Villa record.

The accomplishments of the girls at Dixie can be promoted without undermining Villa, by starting a new thread about Dixie.

@Lawnboy13 @hoops5 @gameplayedright

Just when I get excited for Villa and their players with positive feedback from individuals such as yourself, another poster proves me right with their negativity and reasons to dispute or challenge Villa's success - case and point from @sufside.

 

First of all, please note, I began this thread with an overall congratulations to the ENTIRE Villa Madonna Academy Varsity Soccer Team, not just the defense. Now, I did highlight or focus some attention on the defense because the shut-out record and Top 20 Defensive Stat was attributable majorily to the defense. You won't find a goalie or full back leading in assists or goals, hence the terminology "defense" is going to apply to credit for shut-outs. There was never any disrespect displayed for any part of the team and you are out of line and off base for even indicating such. Congratulations was offered for all the Villa players and coaches several times in my post.

 

Honestly, I am so tired of strength of schedule being thrown at any school - not just Villa, I have seen it for other schools in other forums. We have to play the teams in our Conference, end of story. Then there are classic rivalries with schools of similar dynamics that are scheduled.

 

Each year, the Villa coaching staff schedules a few challenging stretch games to give the girls that tougher schedule element. FYI, one of our shut-outs was against St. Henry (after double OT we lost by one PK) who by no means is a "cupcake team"; oh yes, they also defeated Dixie in regular season. Personally, I find your reference to Villa playing "cupcake teams" insulting to us and our opponents - did you even bother to look at our actual schedule or just utilize the Maher rankings? I don't consider Scott, Calvary, Walton-Verona, Beechwood, or Montgomery Co. "cupcake teams"! Brossart and Boone were also scheduled but rained out.

 

The Boone game being cancelled was a huge disappointment, especially right before Districts. However, I am not on the coaching staff and I will not use this forum to speculate or second guess the Athletic Department or Coaches as to how decisions are reached. Personally, I think ADs and Coaches are all underappreciated and definitely in private schools underpaid, so why Villa did not opt for the coin flip in order to play Boone versus playing Ludlow is none of my business.

 

Monday was definitely not one of Villa's better showings overall, and as I said in response to "Mustang" it was a well-deserved victory on Dixie's part. But I do not believe that one post-season flat outing defines an entire season for a team, nor should it take away from any successes they earned, which is what appears to be indicated in @sufside reply. I appreciate @nkysoccerparent identifying some specific stats from Monday's game, supporting the backbone of my post, if you will, that the defense was constantly under attack Monday and did an exceptional job working together, specifically with the transition to turf. Really, between Villa, Dixie and St. Henry, based on their performance throughout the season (and I am not talking statistically, I mean what I witnessed skillwise during games) it could have been any of the 3 of them to take Districts. There was an obvious momentum from Dixie that Villa did not have. It appeared present again on Wednesday in the finals when they defeated St. Henry.

 

I appreciate those of you who graciously took this post at face value, without looking to discredit every factual detail. As I said, having to constantly defend legitmate triumphs and successes, especially when it comes to being statistically ranked by KHSAA, is exhausting, but I don't mind if the girls get the recognition they deserve. Small school or not, they are still putting in the endless hours, dedication and effort for preseason and conditioning, as well as a rigorous practice and game schedule throughout the season.

@Lawnboy13 - thank you for the kind words. I am not quite as polished or eloquent in my expressions as your postings, nor do I have the positive following that you have created, but I am working on it!

 

Keep doing what you are doing. :thumb: