A May Soccer Weekend

The weekend before school was out was our last "full" weekend of the year.  In fact, even though I take a picture of the day every day, I had to go back and reference my calendar to see what we were doing on May 18th!!!  This was the first game in Frederick's U10 Y soccer tournament (his U12 team at our soccer club had won their bracket the week before).  The team won this game and went on to the semi-finals, which they played the following Tuesday, their last day of school. 

 

Frederick played on two teams this past spring because he insisted that he wanted to be with this Y coach but we had already signed him up with the local soccer club.  In the end we allowed him to do both and it was the right decision -- he had plenty of soccer, was a leader on both teams, and it didn't create too much extra time or conflicts on the calendar. 

 

And guess what?

That goal didn't count!!!

Talk about pressure on a 9-yr-old. . .to have a free kick, kick it, score, and then say, "re-do" -- ha!

Ah, he's a professional :)

Meanwhile that day Tom, Marie, and Thomas had traveled to Nashville for a final U12 D3 tournament for Marie and Tom's team.  After Frederick's soccer game, a birthday party Margaret had on the calendar, and a soccer get-together for Frederick, the three of us headed to the state tournament to watch Marie's team play on Sunday morning.

 

I never mind the drive west on I-40 in Tennessee. . .it is usually very pretty and, on a Sunday morning, very empty on the road! This girl needed some more sleep --

 

We arrived at the fields to see the big brother warming up his sister -- who, apparently, was going to be the goalie the first half of the game.  She's somewhat-good at it but prefers the field. . .(Hope Solo comes to mind here).

 It's a tough job. . .and special coaching is required, which is non-existent at this point in the kids' games.

That's a painful video to watch.  Here's a still in action though --

I love this beautiful soccer player, in her UCUSC colors, her captain's band, her favorite number (15), her willingness to play any position her coach asks of her, her determination to do her best on the field, her leadership skills.  I am proud to be there, cheering her on!

The second half her coach put her on the field but it was a tough match.  Although she was able to score 1-2 times for her team it just wasn't enough. . .

It was a tough end to the season (it was slick and raining by the time that last picture was taken) but it was the first season these girls had played together and the first season their coach coached competitively.  These two were some of the teams biggest supporters!

 I love these guys :)  Watching. . .evaluating. . .

Coach Jake, having a final season team meeting under the canopy of trees, trying to stay dry and out of the rain.  He did a wonderful job with the girls and we very much hope that he comes back for a sophomore year with us.  We were back in the van, heading home. . .this time is a.m. -- ha!

Team meal back in town with Coach Jake and some of his players :)

And some siblings too. . .

Margaret, trying to back out of the picture, Frederick, and another player's brother

A tough end to Marie's season but Frederick's U10 Y soccer team went on to WIN the tournament there, playing a terrific game on Tuesday and winning the trophy on Saturday (when I had my last day of school and missed it -- boo!).

Tom took the camera and got a few. . .here is Frederick (on the right) with the coach's son, holding their 1st place trophies!

And there Frederick is, right out in front, where he thinks he belongs :)

A season of rest (summer) and then back-at-it come August!!!

Love,

A (blessed-to-be) Soccer Mom