September 20, 2008

I try to remember that I don't know the kids on the other team. I shouldn't tell them to watch their language and to not play such fussy soccer. It's hard as I want them all to love the game and have a great time. When I see a kid struggling to have a good time, I wonder who has pushed him/her into this. Is Dad hoping to live vicariously though little Tommy? Does Mom wish she'd gone to North Carolina instead of COCC?

Anyway, if you see me talking to our opponents, know that I don't see them as opponents. Right now, they are playmates. Playmates wearing a different color jersey and trying to score on your kids, but playmates nonetheless.

So, the game. Due a snafu at the previous weeks game, I opted to referee our team. I really enjoyed that aspect. I got to run around and watch our kids and call fouls that really should be caught, to advance the learning aspect.

The first half of the game, we were the HOME team, there were several goals against the mighty Rhinos. Little #11 from the other team is a superstar! She dribbled right around everyone and scored. And scored. And scored.

Thank goodness for halftime! I think we had one goal in the first half. We should probably have a statistician, but since we're not currently in line for making any World Cup teams I think we'll survive if I forget who scored what goal at what time. If parents remember, please post in the comments so we can relive the moment.

A mostly forgettable first half led to a completely memorable second half. Goal after goal was scored by our Rhinos. I was starting to feel bad and actually considered (for about half a second) asking the other coach if he wanted one of our players for awhile. That just seemed so offensive, in a non-tactical connotation, that I didn't. Not to mention, we sometimes have issues with remembering which goal is ours anyway.

Mia scored. Noah scored. Andrew scored a few times, I think. Sadly, he sent the opposing team's goalie to the medics at one point, so I called back his goal and gave the other team a goal kick. I know, he probably fell down and twisted his ankle on his own, but it's always a good lesson to stay far away from a goalie who is on the ground with the ball in their gloves. I hope Andrew wasn't terribly hurt by it. I was so proud of him for showing up to play at all after a hard morning, but what a scrappy guy he is! He's the kind of kid you want to live on your block to kill spiders you find on your sidewalk.

I put Noah in the goal for most of the second half. He was obliterating their offense and defense with his breakaway scoring and dribbling through their best attempts to stop him. I think he enjoyed playing goalie.

Mia was so fun to watch. I could see her thinking about passing, and deciding for or against within a split second. She passed and received and was a true all around player in this game. I think she always has been, but to see the decision making skills bloom during a game was something special.

Alison, what can I say? You have gone from only wanting to play goalie to a goal scoring forward in the course of a few short days! You amaze me with a natural gift for knowing where to be and then making something out of it. If you ran more, you'd be in the right place even more often than you are. You impressed the socks off me this past game.

Madison McCarthy, you are so good when you decide to engage. It reminds me of Top Gun, not that you've ever seen that classic. Maverick has re-engaged. When you decide to wrap your mind around the fact that you are currently playing soccer, you are unstoppable. You are brave and ready. Keep up the good work!

Faith you are so eager. I love that you get in there and fight for the ball. I wish you wouldn't against our own team so much, but your heart is good. I love to watch you not even think twice about locking shin guards with a much bigger boy. To see you crash to the ground and get right back up and in the game is inspirational. I wonder what I could have done, had I started as early as you.

We killed them in the second half, after a slow first half. Brian Timm said his team had a great game as well.

Many thanks to our parents and friends who show up so religiously to cheer our kids on. You are the backbone and soul of this team. You are very much appreciated.