Sports stats



Lightning Coach Ted Nichols: Team Will Build After First Road Trip

December 7, 2010 - Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL)
Louisville Lightning News Release


Louisville Lightning coach Ted Nichols left for the squad's first road trip winless on the season. Nichols and the squad not only returned with the team's first win, but the Lightning can now boast a win in one of the most hostile environments in PASL soccer.

"It was an unbelievable experience. It was one of the top three games of my career as a player or coach," Nichols said after his team beat La Revolución de Tijuana in Mexico on Friday night. "It was a season-changing game. Nothing went according to plan on our travels. We were stuck in the airport in Dallas, then in San Diego, then had a difficult time getting into Tijuana and back to San Diego. It was a rough start to the trip even before we got to play," he said.

"We didn't know what to expect and guys were a bit nervous," Nichols said of his team's first game in Mexico. "As unconventional as the field was and the atmosphere there, it was awesome. We really felt like a team and a close unit. It was really special when the two national anthems were played and we had the honor of representing our country," he said.

Nichols said the Tijuana side didn't come out with the strategy he expected. "We waited for them and sort of sat back to see what they would do. I think we caught them off guard a little. We thought they would sort of pounce on us but they were more content to try to control the time of possession. They wanted to play a bit of keep away," Nichols said. "Once we were able to get a lead, then add to it, we sort of forced them out of their game a bit," he stated.

"Trey Kramer and Darren Yeagle were our players of the game. Ross Hopkins and Kolby Lacrone were also phenomenal," Nichols said. "Once we started to score, we didn't stop. We put in six goals in the final three minutes. It was an incredible experience to be there and be a part of that. Tijuana never loses at home, and even the crowd was cheering for us. They were applauding us with each goal because we had earned their respect. After the game, we saluted the crowd and just got out to go celebrate a little," the coach said.

"It was an unbelievable win and the guys were just pumped. It was just surreal. No one expected to go down there and beat them straight up, as they never lose at home. We weren't sure what to expect and we realized we had a chance to win this game. It made us realize how poorly we performed at home against Cincinnati and Detroit and what our potential is for this team."

After the win against Tijuana, the team made the trek across the border the following night to take on the San Diego Sockers. San Diego also has a reputation of being unstoppable at home, and Nichols said it's easy to see why.

"Last year we were outclassed by them. It was a real eye-opener for us, to be honest. We played them at Mockingbird at the end of the season, and it was a great opportunity to bring them into Louisville but we weren't ready for that game. They put on a clinic against us. But playing them in San Diego is another story," Nichols said.

"The facilities and atmosphere were amazing at Del Mar Arena. It was a great experience for our guys to be there," he said. "Once we took the pitch, we just wanted to see how we match up against such a great team. We just tried to keep it close but Darren scored first to put us up and we were thrilled. We have been having a problem with giving up goals right after we score this season. That was the case Saturday night in San Diego. Any momentum we would gain was taken away because of this," the Lightning boss stated.

Frank Peabody resumed his starting spot in goal Saturday after Trey Kramer seperated his shoulder Friday against Tijuana. "Frank played well, and Jonathan Kincheloe stepped up, but he had his shoulder seperated numerous times during that second game. Kinch is a leader and an inspiration for our guys. The guys never quit, and they kept it respectable. It's an extremely difficult place to win and there is a reason why San Diego is unstoppable, especially at home. Several of the opposing players and coaches told us that we played them as close as anyone had there in San Diego."

Nichols said his team learned alot from the Sockers' game, and he's hoping for a different experience when they host the squad in Louisville on December 17th. "If we stay away from the walls, we'll be good. If we go into the walls with them, we'll lose. If we play straight-up soccer and stay away from the walls, we can compete. They have great athletes and great soccer players. A lot of teams sign outdoor players and try to teach them the indoor game. They are indoor players and they have built their franchise around that. They are older, experienced, and monstrous," he stated.

"They shoot incredibly accurately. Frank Peabody said afterwards that they probably shoot the ball harder than anyone he has ever faced. We have to prevent them from getting open shots, but if you give them room, they'll take it and put it on target."

Nichols said his team is feeling confident ahead of Friday's match against Evansville. "Everyone saw what we are capable of doing against Tijuana. Our confidence is very high right now. I think everyone is on a complete high at the moment."



Professional Arena Soccer League Stories from December 7, 2010


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