After winning their fifth straight state soccer title, I sat down with St. Johns Country Day girls soccer coach Mike Pickett about his dynasty and building his program one brick at a time. Today, the Spartans moved into second place all-time for consecutive state championships after winning their sixth straight title with a 2-0 win over Lakeland Christian in Deland.
Spartans build dynasty one brick at a time
MELBOURNE-It might be hard to believe, but winning didn’t always come so easy for the St. Johns Country Day girls soccer program.
In the early days, it was quite common for the Spartans to bow out in the second round of the playoffs.
Prior to head coach Mike Pickett taking over the program in 1999, the Spartans had never been past the second round, that continued with Pickett as they fell in the same round five consecutive appearances (97, 98, 99, 02, 03) thanks to nemesis rivals Gainesville Oak Hall and Tallahassee Maclay.
“To be honest it was about changing the culture here,” Pickett said. “Before I got here there were not any high expectations at all, they were sattisfied with just getting to the playoffs and the second round, they didn’t even practice on Fridays.
In his fifth year, a 6-0 win over Maclay in the first round was the spark the Spartans needed to end the streak and they haven’t looked back since.
Wins over Trinity Catholic and PK Yonge put the Spartans in their first Final Four, where they held off Lakeland Christian 4-2 and lost a 1-0 nailbitter to American Heritage in the title game.
And as they say the rest is history…
A year later in 2005 the Spartans were back in the Final Four and avenged the previous year state title loss to American Heritage with a 2-1 win to win their first of many future state titles.
St. Johns (22-0-1) added to its trophy case again winning the schools eighth overall title last February with a 5-0 win over Naples Community School.
Even more impressive in the feat was the fact the Spartans held all of its opponents scoreless outscoring them 25-0 during its playoff run.
Pickett, 363-58-27 in 18 seasons, along with longtime assistant coach Brad Schmidt and assistant coach Cody Slaughter have figured out the recipe of not only how to build a dynasty but also how to keep it going.
Schmidt, who has been with Pickett 15 of the 18 years, along with Slaughter (in his fifth year) are both St. Johns grads and former boys soccer players as well while Slaughter was a member of the last boys state soccer title back in 2005.
“Having both Brad and Cody here has been a blessing but thats what we do here,” Pickett said. “A lot of our coaches are former students and athletes that come back.”
You would think by building a dynasty perhaps players from nearby Orange Park and Ridgeview both struggling programs would be knocking on the door to transfer to St. Johns but that’s not the case.
“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. All but one of the remaining 7 kids have been playing here since 9th grade.,” Pickett said.
Over the last 5 years not one single kid has transferred in, infact nearly all of his players come from Orange Park, Fleming Island or Middleburg.
“Our success has drawn some of those kids to come visit and look at us but nearly all of them can’t afford it,” Pickett added. “We don’t offer any scholarships and very little financial aid at all only if you qualify. It’s extremely difficult to get in here with such high academic standards.”
Pickett also mentioned a pilot program he started with the elementary age kids that will also help benefit his program.
“I started an after school soccer program for third-fifth graders and we play against other small private schools in the spring,” Pickett said. “So now I will have girls who will have 9 years of coaching underneath me.”
Winning five in a row may make some players a little complacent about thinking going to the Final Four every year comes automatically and not earned, however Pickett has a plan for that every year.
“Over the last two weeks I meet with every player and make them a sign a one year annual contract.” Pickett said. “We go over their weaknesses and strengths so they can work on their own or with their club team. They keep a sign copy and I always bring that up to them that nothing comes easy.”
As proud as he is of the on the field accomplishments he is even more overwhelmed by the off field accomplishments.
Several of this year’s seniors including Payton Crews (TCU), Alisa Detlefsen (Troy), Abbey Newton (LSU) and Kirsten Pavlisko (FSU) have already committed to major Division I-A schools and when those four sign that will increase the total to 27 former players who have signed college scholarships.
A lot of his former players come back and help him with camps and clinics including his own daughter Carson Pickett, a recent FSU grad and fourth overall pick by the Seattle Reign.
“That’s a big motivation for the girls, seeing one of their own make it to the professional ranks is huge,” Pickett said. “That helps more girls come out and more playing.”
More girls coming out in six grade and now third grade spells doom for opposing coaches as well as now Pickett will have up to nine years to coach them.
And as long as Pickett is there, St. Johns Country Day is going nowhere.
“I’ve thought about retiring a couple of time but I guess I keep waiting for that special class but then I say that nearly every year and then I keep coming back.
And thats bad news for everyone in the area and more importantly at American Heritage, Lakeland Christian and everybody else in 1A as the road to title No. 6 has already begun.
State Titles
2017: St. Johns 2, Lakeland Christian 0
Spartans end the season No. 1 in the nation and undefeated at 24-0 to win its sixth straight state title. St. Johns didn’t allow a goal in the postseason on its way to winning its 9th overall state title. Pickett loses only three seniors next year and will be heavily favorites to win its seventh in a row.
2016: St. Johns 5, Naples Community 0
2015: St. Johns 4, Lakeland Christian 0
2014: St. Johns 1, Lakeland Christian 0
2013: St. Johns 3, Evangelical Christian 1
2012: St. Johns 7, Palmer Trinity 1
2009: St. Johns 1, American Heritage 0 (PKs)
2007: St. Johns 5, American Heritage 0
2005: St. Johns 2, American Heritage 1 (PKs)
