Losing is a part of life. At times it happens in the real world, and inevitably it happens in sports. Well, at least for most teams that is. The St. Johns Country Day girls soccer team is a whole other story. They finished this season undefeated at 25-0, but their success does not stop there.
This season they scored their 44th consecutive win and 57th game without a loss dating back to January 2015 – tying the school record. With a total of nine state championships, the past six of which were consecutive state titles over Lakeland Christian, it is no wonder these girls are leaving their mark and making history. The Spartans are ranked No. 1 in the USA Today Sports/National Soccer Coaches Association of America Super 25 for winter girls soccer.
Behind all champions are coaches who helped get them there, and let’s just say this isn’t coach Mike Pickett’s first rodeo. He spent the past 19 years as the Spartans head coach while developing the most effective system to consistently win and building a dynasty.
“It is really a difficult and amazing accomplishment for our program,” Pickett said. “God has blessed us beyond belief and with kids that understand their role and play it to the best of their ability.”
Pickett was honored – again – as the state’s best coach of the national, top- ranked Spartans. He was also selected as the In the Game Sports Network Coach of the Year.
Since SJCD is a private school, the team has the advantage of training their girls as soon as they enter middle school and giving that raw talent a chance to step onto the field and expand their roles beyond just four years once they enter high school.
“We have the advantage of having a middle school program, and 15 of the 22 on my current roster have been playing for me since sixth grade,” Pickett said. “All but one of the remaining seven kids have been playing here since ninth grade.”
Pickett has not had a single player transfer over in the last five years. His athletes come from surrounding areas such as Fleming Island, Orange Park, and Middleburg.
“We don’t think about winning championships or any streaks we may be on,” Pickett said. “It is our goal to win state every year and has been for 19 years, even before we won any. I think every team has the goal of winning state, so we are no different in that regard. I think the pressure comes more from their peers around school to be honest. We try to focus on doing the little things well and playing for each other, so no one wants to let anyone down in our program.”
Pickett always reminds his players to take it all in because many athletes will never get a chance to play for a championship in their entire career. He encourages his girls to focus on their roles to help the team and to have fun. Pickett is consistently amazed by their work ethic – no matter how hard he pushes them, they always show up.
“We are always really young, but I think our older kids who have been in the program four or five years do a fantastic job teaching the younger kids the ropes,” Pickett said. “They embrace them rather than ignore them. We don’t have ‘seniority’ in our program. Everyone pulls the same rope. So, no one is bigger than our team and program. That includes me.”
Between this mentality, their work ethic, and their passion, it is no wonder coach Mike Pickett and SJCD soccer are making history.
Pulling the Same Rope to Win 6th Consecutive Championship
By: Courtney Wagner
