MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Soccer can be a game of hits and misses. A perfectly aimed kick after receiving a long pass in stride can make those of fleet of foot swoon. But as fast as the goals can pile up, a mis-played trap or an errant throw-in could lead to many defeats.
Matthew C. Perry High School girl's soccer team has seen its share of the misses. Whether it is the header slightly above the crossbars or the way too aggressive slidetackle, the lady Samurais are mere inches away from putting together a quality team. Although the ladies are winless thus far this season, prospects for the future are bright.
"We are returning three players from last year"s team and the rest of the girls are either freshman or playing for their first time," said first-year coach Mark Lange.
"We have the potential to be a good team. The girls are very enthusiastic about playing and also improving," said Lange, who also teaches English at the high school.
Working hand in hand with Lange to turn the season around is this year's captain, sophomore Sarina Seitz.
"I have been playing soccer for seven years and I hate to lose," said Seitz. "A big area we need to improve in is our defense, we have already made huge strides since the start of the season and we just have to continue to develop as a team and wins will follow."
Due to the constant change of duty stations that commonly leaves the high school without returning players, the lady Samurai are trying to build on chemistry developed over the young season.
"We preach fundamentals and the basics," said Lange. "The girls are getting better every day, but we still need to build on the positives and learn from the negatives."
To go along with Seitz's leadership, the lady Samurais have a pair of first-year players who are making a difference that might aid in returning the team to its winning ways.
Playing center midfielder most of the time, freshman Marinor Ifurung has been using her head lately by heading ensuing balls back into opponents zone and playing a tireless, defensive force for the team.
"Soccer is a lot of fun and I am just tying to get better and better," said Ifurung.
The Samurais best offensive weapon comes in the form of speedster freshman Gabby Pacheco.
"Our offense hasn't been producing and that puts more pressure on our defense. I think we have girls on this team with a lot of heart and we just have to find something that will bring it all together," said Pacheco.
According to Lange, whether or not the lady Samurais win a game the most important thing is for them to have fun this year.
"The game isn't worth playing if you don't have fun," said Lange. "Especially for those just starting out. Their first impression of the game could decide if they stick with it or not, and we need all of the returning players next year as we can."