Cyclones' "Hair On Fire" Strategy Leads To Winning Season

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By Amy Russell
The Severna Park Cyclones select U-10 boys soccer team compete in the highly challenging National Capital Soccer League. The team proved this season that hard work and dedication are the essential building blocks to a winning result. After a slow start, the team lost its first five games, the Cyclones used determination and a “never give up” attitude to win five of their next six games.

“We started with a collection of talented soccer players, many of whom were new or had never played together,” said Coach Fanning. “Most of the teams we play against have been together for a few years. So we started off slow, but we played and practiced together and have become a real team.”
The Cyclones play with something they call a “hair on fire” mentality.
“The attitude of this group is electric. When they go out on the field they play hard. We call it ‘playing with your hair on fire,’” said Fanning. “We play ‘hair on fire’ and everybody plays that way. A lot of these teams only play five or six guys, but on our team everyone plays. We sub every five or six minutes and as a result in a very short time they have developed into a top-notch team.”
When the local boys took on the Frederick Academy Black team late in the season, they proved just how important a winning attitude can be. Down 3-0 at half time, the Cyclones were disappointed in their performance, and their coaching staff made it clear that the team was capable of more.
“I’m always a big cheerleader but I never get mad,” said Fanning. “So at half time I said to the guys, ‘I’m never overly happy or upset when we win or lose, I just really love it when you guys play hard, but right now I’m not happy.’ And then I was quiet for a second until I said ‘what we have to do is play just like we’ve been playing. There’s no pressure, you’re allowed to make mistakes, but go after the ball, make aggressive mistakes, don’t be timid.’ After that they came out with their ‘hair on fire’.”
In the second half, the team racked up three unanswered goals to tie it up, but a last-minute score by Frederick resulted in a 4-3 setback. Despite the loss, the game was a moral victory for the Cyclones who undoubtedly won the second half.
“We don’t measure success by wins, but by how much the team improves,” said Fanning. “This game was just a microcosm of our season. We started out a little over-matched but we pulled through. The team displayed character and confidence, and I’m really proud of them.”
Fanning said that equally important as their drive to win is the attitude the team displays on the field.
“They play with their ‘hair on fire,’ but at the same time they exhibit great sportsmanship and respect for the game and their opponents,” he praised.
The team is compromised of a wealth of talent, each member contributing to every game in a capacity that makes it difficult for the competition to shut them down.
“Michael Isakov, Nicholas Angelino and Mathew Simms anchor a stingy defense that stops opposing offenses in their tracks through a combination of skill, power and focus,” said Fanning. “And they do this in front of a pair of shut-down keepers in Braden Mondor and Bailey Kinsey.”
In midfield, Ronan Fanning orchestrates the team with sharp passes and a tough “own the middle” mentality, while half backs Luke Vincent, Hugh Hubbart, Graham Wood and AJ McNemar keep the pressure on the competition with speed and a “take no prisoners” style of play. Playmakers Jonah Fogle and Jimmy Maher lead the offense with quick, powerful shots.
“We have a winning formula,” said Fanning. “It starts with great kids who are eager to learn, add supportive parents, and then play hard and have fun. It has worked tremendously well. Dave Vincent and I feel very fortunate to be able to coach this team.”
The Cyclones say they are proud of how far they came this fall and look forward to taking it a step further in the spring season.

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