Positive Attitude Leads PSC 11U Strykers To Successful Turnaround

Success takes many forms, and not every sports team defines success as a dominant run through a league or a championship finish to a season.

For the Pasadena Soccer Club 11U Strykers girls soccer team, success is in the process. Formed in the fall of 2013, the Strykers have experienced vast improvement since then and especially over the past two years thanks to teamwork and effort fostered by the power of positive coaching.

Gary Peters has overseen the team, which went 2-7 in the spring of 2015 with a -34 goal differential to 5-3-1 this spring with a +9 goal differential.

“This is a special group of young ladies,” said Peters, whose Strykers finished third in the eight-team 11U second division this spring. “From day one when I took over, we’ve preached about having the best possible attitude and effort in both practices and games. If they focused on those two things, I promised them that the results would eventually take care of themselves. It took a few seasons, but I’m most proud of them to stick through the early adversity to finally start to see the positive results they deserve.”

The team of Margaret Abler, Kylee DeLair, Jaci Norfolk, Maureena Peters, Lucy Peters, Madelyn DiSpaldo, Jazmene Cantagallo, Emma Haberkon, Jasmine Rubin, Jordyn Benhayon, Lauren Leather, Meghan Howard, Isabella Stumpf, Mayjin Idleman, Allyson Young, Brooke Carroll and Nimrah Kashif excelled in league play this season, but the team took its lumps when it was initially formed.

“We struggled mightily the first few seasons,” said Peters. “There were lots of 10-0 and 8-1 losses. What was so impressive was our girls’ resiliency. Even after demoralizing losses, we’d get the whole group to show up for practice, and we’d practice hard the following week. Starting last fall, things finally started to gel. From late September through the end of the [fall] season, we didn’t have a loss.”

Peters, who coached the team with Stan Abler, Asher Benhayon, Jeff Cantagallo and Kaley Koester and got training help from renowned soccer coach Mike Stankovic, said the raised level of play hasn’t just benefited the team, but the entire Pasadena Soccer Club girls program.

“During the past three seasons, we’ve promoted up eight players to PSC’s Division-I or travel teams due to improved skill development and play. These players were replaced with new and developmental players, and we’ve continued to see the whole team’s results improve.”

Stankovic said Peters’ ability to communicate with the girls was especially important.

“Gary’s enthusiasm, energy, everything was absolutely fantastic,” said Stankovic. “Especially with young kids, his communication was great with them. He’s a very positive guy, and I think they really picked up with him.”

Peters has maintained the attitude and perspective that young athletes need to succeed — he keeps the focus on having fun.

“We continue to emphasize that we play soccer to have fun, and that it’s not all about wins and losses,” he said. “With the right attitude and maximum effort, the results will take care of themselves.”