Soccer

Adam on the move

Adam and Helen bundle up while watching Derek's game

Derek in goal

Derek looks on as his teammate scores from long distance

Soccer season should be over about now, but has been extended a couple weeks because of all the rainouts. Except for extending the season, the rainouts have actually been kind of nice. The boys have practice 2 times a week with games on Saturdays and sometimes on Sundays, so the rainouts gave us a nice break. Just tonight we were elated to find out that the fields were closed because of rain yesterday. We want the kids to improve, but 2 nights a week with weekend games is a lot.

The boys are both on good teams this season. I have missed most of Adam's games because he plays early on Saturday while I'm playing tennis. He's always been a hustler, but never really had any ball skills. This season Helen says that he's been dominating. A couple games ago he scored all 5 of his team's goals. I still don't think he gets where he's supposed to be on the field, but he never stops running.

I got to see his game last Sunday and took the pictures above. I was ready to see Adam's improvement, but instead his team got dominated for their only loss of the season. In Adam's defense, he was under the weather and not his usual self. We took him to the doctor the next day and found out that he had a sinus infection. I still think he ran more than any of the other players, but his stamina and speed weren't there.

I have been helping out with Derek's team this season and have been able to be at most of his games because they are in the afternoons. Derek still only likes defense (no speed or ball skills) and prefers goalie. At this age the difference in skill levels between kids is really apparent. Some of the kids on Derek's team can really boom the ball and are everywhere on the large field, while others can barely kick the ball 10 yards (Derek). Derek is one of three goalies. He is the most aggressive and probably the best stopper, but his weak kicking is a liability. Derek's team has a number of strong players who make it really fun to watch.

A few weeks ago, Derek's team were undefeated and played another undefeated team. Derek's team led 2-0 midway through the final quarter only to have the other team tie it up and then kick the winning goal seconds before the game was over. Needless to say the team was dejected. I think the head coach and I were more upset. The other team found our weak kids and exploited them. It's big games like these when I wish we didn't have to play the liability kids.

The pictures above are from warm ups before the rematch with the undefeated team. We were up 2-0 again going into the final quarter and held on for a much celebrated 2-1 win. I was so into the game that I took pictures above during the warm up and then forgot about the camera during the game.