Dear editor:

Going into the Garces Tournament (Dec. 16-17), the girlís soccer team had already suffered a disappointing start. Early frustrations during practices divided the team.

This lack of teamwork and inability to work together led to a first league game loss to Liberty and doubts for a repeat league championship.

I agree with the Dec. 1 article stating coach (Robert) Fosheeís assessment of participation in tournaments and how they help prepare our team for challenges during the season.

Just prior to leaving for the tournament in Bakersfield, our team held a meeting where we were able to openly discuss our feelings and disappointments in each other.

Through this conversation we were able to discard of past grudges and move forward unified as a team, playing for each other, God and our school ñ not just ourselves.

As we played our games in the Garces Tournament, we did play as a team and are now better prepared to work towards our goal of a Valley Championship.

Through the years I have learned that playing soccer is more than just a game. We need to play as a team and the importance of teamwork happens both on and off the field.

Building friendships with my teammates not only helps us win games; it helps us to be better people in life because playing a sport is much more than playing a gameóit is about learning lifelong skills.