Sports stats

Lightning Coach Nichols: If We Get One Win We Won't Look Back

January 11, 2011 - Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL)
Louisville Lightning News Release


Louisville Lightning coach Ted Nichols is still confident after the team's rough start this season. The Lightning are 1-5 in the league so far, but they've lost their five games by a combined 14 goals. Outside of two matches against the San Diego Sockers, the Lightning have lost their other three games by just five combined goals. Injuries have hurt the team early on, but Lightning coach Ted Nichols is still confident that the team will make a second-half run to get back into the league title race.

The 2010-2011 PASL schedule has not been kind to the Lightning so far this season, with the team facing league powers San Diego and Cincinnati twice each thus far. The Lightning have been competitive in each match, and Nichols believes wins are coming soon for the squad.

"We're playing well and we're right there in every game. We are a few plays away from reversing our fortune and getting wins. At least three of our losses could have easily been wins for us. We just have to be confident, play our game, and the wins will come," he said early this week.

"Detroit is a fantastic team and they're playing extremely well. We have a lot of respect for them, but we really would love to have that game back," Nichols stated. "That was an extremely disappointing loss and we really expected to win that game. I think we'd all give anything to have a chance to get that one back."

The Lightning will have another shot at the Detroit Waza this weekend, when they travel north for a road game. "This is really a huge game for us. We have a chance to pick up a big road win and we know we can. Detroit is very good, but we are much better than our record shows," he said.

Nichols says that if the team can win this weekend, he expects things to change in a hurry. "If we can get a win this weekend, I firmly believe we won't look back. We are so close in every game, and I know we're a difficult team to beat. After each game, opposing coaches and players are telling me how difficult it is to beat us, and we're very close in every game. We're a good team that has not had any breaks. But we're right on the brink. If we can get that one win and get over the hump, we won't turn back. I believe we have a chance to win every game we have left on our schedule," Nichols said.

The Lightning have been hit with numerous injuries early this season, but the team is healing just in time for a second-half run. "Ryan McDonald is not 100%, but he's back and playing well. We've had a lot of guys out that I fully expect to be ready either this weekend or next. We didn't have Chad Hagerty last weekend against AAFC, but I expect him back for the Detroit game. We should also have Simon Bird," Nichols stated. Bird missed much of the first half of the season due to coaching duties with the University of Louisville Men's Soccer Team. "David Horne will also play for us against Detroit," Nichols said. "He's been extremely valuable to us when he's played this season, and we need him out there while we make a run."

The Lightning boss said this season can change quickly with a win over the Waza. "We're confident and hungry and we are improving each week. If we can go to Detroit and get the win, our season will change in a hurry," Nichols said. The Waza host Louisville Saturday, January 15th at Taylor Sportsplex. Kickoff for the game is set for 6:30 PM.



Professional Arena Soccer League Stories from January 11, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central