coach collins

The last time I saw 5 am on a Monday morning - or any morning for that matter - was my freshman year of college: soccer training camp. But I happen to be head coach of the La Mirada High School JV soccer team and they had 5:45 am conditioning this morning. California High School Soccer is played in the winter and it kicks off today all over the golden state - we actually got in an early start Saturday. A couple of my HIU teammates are alumnus and hooked me up with the coaching gig. LMHS is a couple blocks away from Biola University - about a 30 minute commute from Hope, but not a bad ride.


My assistant coach, Lauren Cram, is a member of the Cal State Fullerton squad who just beat USC yesterday 3-1 HECK YES! (I went to the game, it was amazing). Contrary to the review in the "Daily Titan", USC dominated nearly the entire game. They were up 1-nil at half. I was really disappointed with CSUF because I really really really really wanted them to win and they had absolutely NO offensive attack, but they were able to keep up. Finally they mustered up a rebound goal after a header was blocked by the USC 'keep - the header was off a beautiful cross, which was perfectly placed by the outside halfback to her fellow striker in the six on an open net. Not much later Cal State was awarded a deserved penalty kick - they have the quickest little outside halfback who slipped her way past the USC defense numerous times, but this time resulted in a clip from behind, in the box, that sent her headlong toward the by-line. The PK was finished with ease by CSUF's ‘sweep, Sandoval - a Mexico Women’s National player. By this time momentum had already been in Fullerton’s favor and now a new USC team was struggling for an opportunity to restore their lead - or at least manage one goal to tie. USC was unsuccessful and Cal State sealed the game with a third goal, scored with less than one minute remaining in the match.

Cal State Fullerton Women’s soccer won their league, the Big West tournament and now are moving victoriously through the NCAA tournament. CSUF’s next victim is the University of Virginia - who just defeated Liberty University (Where Coach Emily used to play =).


Sunday night was my last night at PJ’s.