Working overtime during CIF
Prep soccer: Physical, mental preparation both play roles in extended games
In Foothill League girls soccer play, there are three outcomes for matches: win, lose or tie.
In the CIF-Southern Section playoffs, however, if a match ends with an even score, two 10-minute overtime periods are added. Whoever scores the first goal, the “golden goal,” earns the win.
Overtime is met with mixed feelings for both players and coaches. On one hand, the glimmering chance of a win still looms. On the other, the game becomes more unpredictable.
“With overtime we do get anxious because we haven’t been in overtime during (the season) and it is something you should get a little bit hyped up for,” said West Ranch forward Aliyah Satterfield.
“But at the same time you don’t want to let the moment get too big. We like to be excited but at the same time just play our game.”
If no one scores in overtime, penalty kicks ensue, which is the situation that Valencia High (whose coach was unavailable for interview) encountered Thursday on the road against San Luis Obispo.
After a scoreless regulation and overtime, the Vikings won 4-2 in PKs.
It’s tough to practice for overtime, but penalty kicks can be rehearsed.
Both West Ranch and Hart coaching staffs prefer to have their players execute shots at the end of practice or after conditioning to mimic an end-ofgame scenario when legs and bodies are most tired.
“I did it once during the Hart Showcase (tournament), then I didn’t practice at all during league because there’s no PKs during league. You just had to