16 SportsUnion | AUGUST 17 , 2018
16 SportsUnion | AUGUST 17 , 2018
COVER
Story
It ’ s an 85 degree day and the heat is just pounding on the field as practice begins . There you are taking a water break grinding through a typical August summer in Buffalo . You know to be better than last year that you need to put the work in .
By Matt Ondesko Managing Editor
The weather doesn ’ t effect you like it might affect other players . You love the heat . You love to grind through it ’ s what makes you stronger . Other ’ s may wilt under the burning August sun . Shoot , others may wilt under the expectations that come with having a dominating sophomore season .
Not you . This is what separates you form the rest . The mental side of the game is what makes you thrive . This weather is nothing . These expectations are nothing . It ’ s what drives you . It ’ s what makes you the player you are today .
All the training in the world won ’ t matter if you
What Carlson did , however , was do more than blend in . She was a force for a St . Mary ’ s club that surprised a lot of people in the Monsignor Martin Athletic Association . She fed off fellow sophomore Skyler Baun to form a formidable 1-2 punch that carried St . Mary ’ s to heights they thought they may never reach .
“ Me and Skye complemented each other very well and often . We always made each other look good by giving balls we could handle and by making something happen with it . We assisted the other or gave them a goal scoring opportunity , which racked up
Mentally tough
aren ’ t mentally strong . And , you are mentally strong . You thrive under pressure . Your teammates look to you because they know you can handle pretty much anything that comes yours way .
Sam Carlson didn ’ t know what to expect when she transferred to St . Mary ’ s High School . Here was this new girl playing soccer for a new team with new teammates . She was just trying to find her way and blend in with everyone else . many goals and helped us win countless games ,” explained Carlson . “ I do believe it turns into a competition on the field but in a good way . We push each other to do better than the game before , and by doing this makes us improve each and every day . It is always positive competition because we both want to succeed and for the other to do the same . This positivity keeps us bonding and winning games with our team .”
Competition among teammates is good , it ’ s