One-down women's soccer shows true grit

Sometimes there are more important things in life than results on the playing field. Shiloh Posey believes the Wayland Baptist women's soccer team is learning a lesson along those lines this week.
 
The Pioneers will open play in the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament against top-seeded, 19^th-ranked John Brown University with just 10 available players, one short of a full starting lineup. After playing recent matches with less-than-a-handful of available substitutes, Posey's roster unfortunately took a few more hits this week, leaving him going into Friday's 6 p.m. match in Siloam Springs, Ark., a player down.
 
"And half of the ones we'll have out there will be playing banged up," added Posey. "I've been doing this job 14 years and never have we experienced a season like this."
 
So the long odds the eighth-seeded Pioneers (4-12, 3-7 SAC) already faced against the Golden Eagles (16-2, 10-0) now are a little longer.
 
 "It's definitely not ideal, but there are things in life that are not ideal and you have to keep wading through those and try to find the positives and the silver linings," Posey said.
 
The coach knows what the Pioneers are up against as they take on a team riding an 11-match win streak, which includes an 8-0 victory over Wayland early last month.
 
"We have a good idea of the reality of the situation," Posey said.
 
But there's more to the match than whatever the final score might turn out being.
 
"Our girls are setting their minds to finish their course and finish the season well. It's been a tough season, but they've stood up to it and succeeded in a lot of ways. It's not always on the scoreboard; successes are maybe personal in their own viewpoints about life and some things about what's really important."
 
Posey said multiple coaches from opposing teams have mentioned how impressed they've been with his team throughout the year.
 
"The word they used is 'grit.' It's amazing how tough they've been and how hard they've played. There's something to be said for that. They're certainly deserving of their (playoff) spot and deserving of playing this match."
 
This will be the fourth time in five years the Pioneers have faced JBU in the first round of the conference tournament. All the matchups have been after a long road trip in Arkansas, where Wayland lost 7-0 last year and 3-0 in 2014 after tying in 2013, 2-2. The Golden Eagles advanced on penalty kicks, 4-3.

The John Brown-Wayland winner will face either fourth-seeded SAGU (11-7, 7-3) or fifth-seeded Oklahoma City (9-6-1, 5-4-1).
 
Posey understands the chances aren't good for a Wayland win Friday.
 
"But we're not quitting," he said.
 
It goes back to his team's undeniable grit.
 
"That's one of those things as a coach you look at and admire the spirit of your kids. It's been a joy and a pleasure to be with this group and watch them grow. I feel like I've grown as well, having to think outside my normal thought process and look for innovative ways to encourage them and keep them motivated, give them reasons to keep pushing.
 
"I'm just really pleased with their effort level and how they've stayed with it."
 
Posey said the Pioneers have made the most of a less-than-ideal situation.
 
"However all of the pieces have come together, this is where we are right now and the girls are making the most of it. This has been an enjoyable season because of the character of the ladies on the team.
 
"Ups and downs aside, it's been a positive experience in my book."
 
2017 SAC WOMEN'S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP
Quarterfinals – Friday, Nov. 3
Wayland (8) at John Brown (1), in Siloam Springs, Ark., 6 p.m.
St. Gregory's (7) at USAO (2), in Chickasha, Okla.
Mid-America Christian (6) at Texas Wesleyan (3), in Fort Worth, Texas
Oklahoma City (5) at SW Assemblies of God (4), in Waxahachie, Texas
 
Semifinals – Tuesday, Nov. 7
JBU/WBU winner vs. OCU/SAGU winner, hosted by higher seeded team
SGU/USAO winner vs. MACU/TWU winner, hosted by higher seeded team
 
Final – Friday, Nov. 10
Semifinal winners, hosted by higher seeded team