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Sunlake Coach Chooses To Focus On The Positives

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By CHRIS ERRINGTON Tribune correspondent

Published: December 18, 2007

Just 53 days ago, Chris Leko and the Sunlake girl's soccer team took the field for the first time with almost no knowledge of what the future would hold.

So far, statistically it's been just about anything but fruitful.

Still, with the mindset of hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst in this inaugural season, all is not lost. In fact, to hear Leko tell it, the future couldn't be brighter.

"On the whole, the season's been pretty par for the course, a lot of what I was expecting," Leko said. "The scores have been a bit disappointing, but the girls haven't given up, even though they've played some great games against some phenomenal teams in the county and against some phenomenal players.

"The scores mean nothing compared to the way they've been playing. They've been doing the things they need to do to get to the next step and that's why I'm so excited about the future."

Like a person avoiding looking at the scale while dieting, Leko disdains viewing statistics in favor of play on the field for proof of his team's improvement. Besides, the coach added, fretting over lopsided numbers would do nothing for his team's morale, which he's determined to keep high.

Sunlake, devoid of seniors, is currently 0-17-1, with all but three of those losses coming via the 8-0 mercy rule. Furthermore, the Seahawks have been outscored 129-2, making finding reason for hope a difficult task.

Then again, Leko knew that building a program from its foundation would be a similar difficult task.

"A lot of the girls know we're trying to build a program and I hear a lot from them talking about next year," the coach said. "I'm trying to instill in them a sense of the future, but young people are so focused on getting put down by peers. The biggest thing I'm doing is to show them to focus on little things from game to game and the little steps that we're doing well - setting goals for each game for us to attain and then getting small successes each time.

"Everyone knows it's tough to win games first off."
Leko said his positive attitude, despite "the losses taking their toll" on him at times, has helped keep enthusiasm and interest high among team members - a key to building a successful program that he pointed to before the season. He's also already seeing the first hints of progress: A pair of goals by junior Holly Gerken against Hernando, the makings of a cohesive offensive attack and the ability to be more competitive against opponents that ended matches before halftime the first time they played. Now the question remains, when will the Seahawks take the next step, from becoming competitive to winning their first game?

"I have a really good feeling about next year," Leko said. "The girls will have a fresh perspective, and much bigger expectations. Teams will think they're going to blow us out, but they're not going to. Coaches are already telling me how much we've improved since the first time we played them.

"I expect there'll be a big turnaround on the field, because they'll be so much more excited about playing soccer. When you're excited about playing, you're only going to get better."

Chris Errington can be reached at cerrington@pop.tampatrib.com

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