Wow - it has been an amazing soccer season! And I am sad it is over (for now). We start back up in March, and I'm looking forward to it.
I really enjoyed being "team mom" and Doug loved being assistant coach/ref.
Here is my silly soccer player...
A few weeks ago, I snapped some pictures of Team Argentina's game. It is a game that my parents were able to attend (and the girls won!)...
And this past Saturday, it was the big tournament day...
We had to go to a different venue that day to play. The Y provided their own refs for the games. And the girls played not only a team from our Y center but played two teams from a different Y as well.
A bit of practice and warm up before the tournament started...
A bit of practice and warm up before the tournament started...
It was chilly, but it was a gorgeous day...
And off they went...
The girls won their first game - actually coming from behind. Rock stars!!
They played two more games - winning one and tying one. This got them to the championship game!!
Here are the girls in their strategy session for the championship...
Once they started to play, the girls realized the team they were playing had waaaay more experience than they did. This was our girls very first tournament ever. There is no doubt the other team had played in a tournament before. And it was impossible to beat them. The other team hadn't lost one game the entire day...
So the girls ended up in second place. They were quite thrilled with it...
Briana receiving her finalist medal...
The second and first place teams...
I cannot tell you how proud of am of these girls (and their coach). The girls knew nothing about zones and strategy when starting this season, and they ended up with a second place trophy.
As for Bri, I was a bit disappointed in her performance during the tournament. I am not upset because she didn't score a goal or anything like that. Her heart just wasn't a 100 percent in it that day. I am not sure if it was nerves, intimidation, burn out or a combo of all three (Bri said it was nerves) - but Bri wasn't mentally or physically all there. She showed a limited amount of aggression and she just didn't try all that hard. Not like I know she can. And I could really tell because I go to every single game and I know when she is giving it her all. Saturday, she wasn't.
I had a long talk with her about it afterward. I told her that tournament time is a very important time and that she needs to give 100 percent (all the time but mainly during the tournament) because her teammates are counting on her. I am still proud of her because she has played well throughout the season and she has learned so much, but I just need to see her "want it" a bit more next season. I told her we will sign up again in the spring, but then she needs to assess what she wants to do after that. Soccer takes a lot of time and dedication. I know she really, really likes soccer, but does she love it? Can she get aggressive enough to always fight for that ball (when she is not a super aggressive kid)? Can she learn to shake her nerves when the pressure is really on? I don't know. I want her to be happy and have lots of fun too. We will see what happens.
Last night, we got the team together for a small team party and (participation) trophy ceremony.
Bri with her friend G...
Eating yogurt...
Briana getting her trophy. Her biggest strengths are being a forward (point) and dribbling the ball...
Team Argentina gave coach a small gift as a token of appreciation. The girls wanted to see the card...
Team Argentina (with one added sibling - future Team Argentina soccer player. ;D )
Bri with her coach...
Team group hug...
Bri with her trophy...
Looking forward to the spring season! Go Team Argentina!!!!
