If winning isn’t everything, then why keep score?
By Kelsey Butler '13 '14
Published Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014
The person that said winning isn’t everything, never won anything. This quote is from Mia Hamm, but if I did not know any better I would think it was something Cindy Marcial ’96 once said.
During Cindy’s time at Lynn University and as a member of the women’s soccer team, she managed to win three national championships (’92 ’94 ’95) and take second in what was considered the one off year (’93). At Lynn, Cindy holds career records for the most points (235), assists (63), games played (96), and games started (95). With a career record of 85-6-5 at Lynn, it seems like winning is all she knows how to do.
Her mentality has not changed since she made the switch into coaching. She now coaches high school soccer at American Heritage, her girls finished this season with a record of 29-0-1. This sounds a lot like the 1994 Lynn squad that went 24-0-1. Cindy admits, the team does remind her of the Lynn team because they both have the talent and heart to win every game. “Both teams play as one and have the chemistry to know what their teammate’s next move is before they even make it.” She brings up Lynn to her girls constantly.
Cindy has always wanted to coach, but she wanted to teach at the same time. Coaching college soccer would not allow enough time for her to teach, so high school soccer is the perfect fit for her. She has always enjoyed being able to teach kids both on and off the field. Cindy considers it a privilege to be doing so at one of the top high schools in the nation.
Cindy’s first year at American Heritage her team placed second at state. Her second year her team won state and she repeated this year, earning back to back state titles. The team is also a contender for the national championship this year. American Heritage currently sits third in the nation, but will have to wait for April 15th when the winter season is officially over to see if they have seized the number one spot.
85-4-1 is Cindy’s coaching record at American Heritage. I think it is safe to say winning is in her blood. After all, if winning isn’t everything, then why keep score?