A soccer game can be decided by a few moments.

Missouri Military Academy head coach Eliot Goodwin has stressed that message and wants his team to be better in those moments.

MMA finished with a 5-9 record last year, losing three games by one or two goals – 4-2 to Fulton, 7-6 to Mexico and 4-3 to Camdenton.

“One goal can win a game. That’s the way it is,” Goodwin said. “We came across some games (like that) last year. You take one chance in a game, it sets you apart. Getting that head start, getting that one goal lead is a big advantage.”

Considering this, Goodwin said MMA has a clean slate this year so it can take advantage by not panicking when they are within striking distance.

“My philosophy is be creative in and around the box,” Goodwin said. “You’ve got to create opportunities. A lot of boys have to take into consideration their eyes light up in front of the goal a lot of the time and they want to take that opportunity themselves. Take a second, slow down when you’re in front of the goal, make the right decision and take that opportunity when it falls to you.”

Goodwin said the Colonels can’t try to rush on offense and shouldn’t do the same thing on defense. They must be a “collective unit” on defense because everything does start with limiting opportunities for the other team.

If other teams are taking their time in the moment, using a more deliberate approach, Goodwin said MMA has to make sure every player on the field is focused and on the same page.

“One goal, one mistake, one moment where we just stop – maybe it’s a watching moment or maybe we’re just slow and hesitant – that can cost you a game as well,” Goodwin said. “Being smart, being switched on – the game is 18 minutes longer at the high school level – so you have to be switched on for all 18 minutes.”

Having good leadership on the field is a must then, Goodwin said, and he thinks MMA will have that this season. He is reluctant to rely on specific players when it comes to production, because he believes anyone on the roster can step up. The players know what they need to do to avoid having another “OK” season that ended in districts with a 5-0 loss to St. Francis Borgia, Goodwin said, as the players that were key last year need to take that next step and the players that had a down year are motivated to return to form.

Goodwin said “natural leaders” have emerged going into this season, including reigning all-district and all-region player and senior midfielder Marco Afane, who will be “pushed for one step further” as the probable captain. Mexico resident and sophomore midfielder Avin Hernandez returns after playing every varsity game last season as a freshman, and Goodwin believes “the sky is the limit” due to natural athletic ability and a “hunger” for the game.

When the postseason awards are announced, Goodwin said he wouldn’t be surprised to see these two in the list but believes there could be more Colonels recognized after Afane and the graduated Michael Wever and William Cash last season.

“We got recognized well last year,” Goodwin said. “If we can add players to the regional list and the district list again this year, that will be a huge team achievement for us. I put on their shoulders, ‘Do you want to be a district player? Do you want to be a regional player? That’s in your control. I’ll help you every step of the way, but where do you want to go as a player and which direction do we want this team to go in?’”

Goodwin admits that he was dissatisfied with how last season ended in districts so having more success in key moments will prepare the team to hopefully make a deeper run. He also thinks the home atmosphere at MMA gives the Colonels an advantage as the boarding school setup involves players living, eating and attending school together.

There is a pride to wearing the MMA jersey that is reinforced by the support the team receives from the school, Goodwin said, and the Colonels would like to make the school proud by their accomplishments on the field.

“Everything we do builds up to those moments and those exciting moments you really want to play in,” Goodwin said. “Taking a step further in that tournament will be a big achievement for us. I think we are capable of keeping up with those teams and the teams in our district.”