Playing in the Moment: How the Fury Girls’ Soccer Team Repeated its State Championship
The Fury girls’ varsity soccer team won its second consecutive NCISAA 3A state title with hard work, skill, and a very deliberate strategy: not thinking about the state championship.
“Coach [Brendan] Bohon and I knew that our biggest hurdle to overcome all season was not so much our opponents, but our attitudes and the expectations our players put on themselves,” Coach Julie McCann said. “As returning state champions, the team felt a lot of pressure to outperform opponents every single time. The coaching staff kept reminding the team to remember that with pressure comes privilege and we either embrace it and be brave or shy away and let the pressure get the best of us.”
Midway through the season, the young team was feeling the strain. “It was our team bonding that pulled us through,” Coach McCann said. “The players agreed that everyone had to invest in a standard of play at training and at games, not just a standard of winning matches. The players agreed to support one another better vocally and try to be actively present each day.”
Despite losing only twice (in overtime) during the season, the girls deliberately didn’t think about the end game. “We did not discuss winning another state championship or even think about the state championship until playoffs arrived,” Coach McCann said “Instead, we looked at each game no matter the outcome as a learning tool.” They studied their play on film, broke down what they needed to do to improve, then worked at those areas in practice.
“Coach Bohon and I are so proud of these girls and their repeat,” Coach McCann said. “Yet, we are more impressed by their ability to stay true to what this program is about, which is teamwork, grit, confidence from within, and playing the beautiful game to the highest standard each time we hit the pitch.”
Forsyth Country Day School (FCDS) is a private, college preparatory, independent school for preschool through high school located in Lewisville, NC, just outside of Winston-Salem. Students benefit from a challenging academic curriculum, fine and performing arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.
Non-Discrimination Policy: Forsyth Country Day School is committed to administering all education and employment activities without discrimination based on one’s race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, ability, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
Non-Discrimination Policy: Forsyth Country Day School is committed to administering all education and employment activities without discrimination based on one’s race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, ability, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
