Jamie Plaisance was looking for something to do for a little while. He found coaching and made it a long while.
"When I started coaching at my alma mater [as an assistant in 1997], I originally just thought it would be a fun diversion from bigger things," said Plaisance, boys' soccer coach at Minneapolis Southwest, where he was in the Class of 1992 and was on the soccer team. "Coaching ended up being one of the key parts of my life."
Plaisance registered his 250th career victory — the most for a boys' soccer coach in Minneapolis City Conference history — when the Lakers shut out Washburn 3-0 on Wednesday. The Lakers have won again since, defeating Minneapolis South 1-0 on Saturday, making their record 7-4-2 this season and running Plaisance's victory total to 251.
The victory over the Millers avenged a 3-2 loss three weeks earlier.
"I've loved the ups and downs of competition, but more than that, I really appreciate the relationships I've built," said Plaisance, in his 20th season leading the program. "I'm proud of what I've been able to accomplish with the help of my former players and assistant coaches."
Inside the numbers
2: Volleyball teams still unbeaten in the state. They are Class 2A No. 1 Nova Classical (20-0) and unranked Class 1A Ely (15-0).
5: Goals scored by Chanhassen senior forward Grace Fogarty in a 6-1 victory Thursday over Waconia in girls' soccer. Fogarty, who has 23 goals this season, had a six-goal game earlier this season.
