“Give it everything you got and dig down deeper and give it some more. – LM”
The note hung in the locker room before the Hazen girls soccer team’s match against Kennedy Catholic Thursday night. Simple, succinct and heartbreaking.
The quote was a favorite of senior midfielder Kendall Michaud’s mom Lora Michaud. Lora passed away last week. The entire Hazen varsity team attended Lora’s memorial service before the game Thursday.
“Lora was a special lady,” said Hazen coach Ken Matthews. “One of those beautiful people. It’s been an inspiration to us.”
Kendall started and received big cheers from the loud Hazen crowd, as the Highlanders tied Kennedy Catholic 1-1.
Hazen got on the board early when Dee Dee Green, a transfer from Kennedy, took a pass from Tyra Markey up the left side. Green looked to cross a pass inside, saw how the Kennedy defenders were positioned and shot instead. Her goal put Hazen up 1-0 six minutes into the game.
The Highlanders were relentless the rest of the half and just missed several more shots.
The second half was more of a physical battle as the teams traded blows. Kennedy tied the game when Hazen keeper Priscilla Yu made a diving stop, but the Lancers knocked in the rebound in the 58th minute to tie the game 1-1.
Hazen took another blow when Green suffered a head injury after a collision with a Lancer. She left the game with just over seven minutes left and did not return.
The game ended in a tie, the third for Hazen and Kennedy this season. It was also the third time Hazen took an early lead, only to have the Lancers come back and tie it.
“The first one the girls were like ‘wow, we played them pretty well,'” Matthews said. “The second one they were mad. Then after this one they’re kind of heartbroken.”
Matthews is at a loss as to why Hazen can’t seem to quite get past Kennedy this season. He also recognizes great growth among the team this season.
“These girls aren’t worrying about things like their homecoming dress doesn’t fit perfectly. People are dying,” Matthews said. “It’s really brought them together and they’ve become a very mature team.”
Longtime Hazen custodian and avid Hazen supporter Joe Dahl also passed away earlier this season.
“No matter the result, Joe would seek me out and somehow make it all seem right,” Matthews said. “I know talking to all the other coaches, he did the same thing, but I know I felt special. He made our girls feel that way too. We all feel he’s watching out for us this year.”
The Highlanders have been playing with a “J” on their hands in honor of Joe. Now, they’ve added an “LM” as well.
While disappointment grasped the team for a few moments after the game, Matthews called them over to the sideline for a talk. They rebounded, they regrouped. After all, they know there are worse things in life than a tie. They broke with a cheer.
“Joe! Lora! Hazen!”
