An Amazing Goalie

Because I am coaching E*'s team and my sons' teams have games at completely different parks, I am not able to see C* play.  But, b/c he had a game and Ken and E went to the Father & Son Campout, I was able to sit and cheer just like all the other soccer moms.

C* has always enjoyed playing the Goalie position.  I think maybe b/c he doesn't have to run around so much. But today, he proved himself a fabulous goalie.  During the 2nd half, he played the position.  Time after time, C* stopped the ball from going into the net.  I lost count after at least a half dozen strong kicks on the net.  And yes, the other team did not score on our team while he was in the net.  (Of course, the coaches are fabulous and the team really helps keep that ball away. But today, was a tough day in the goal box!)

As those kicks started in, I just cringe.  Watching your son be the last obstacle for a score is terrible. (Seriously, the coaches stress that they are a team and no one is permitted to put down or ridicule when mistakes are made.  But still...the goalie is the last man standing when the ball is coming into the net!)  Each time, C* caught it, reflected it, kicked it or grabbed it.  (I think he enjoyed eating off the red plate today as well!)

Here is a group shot of the entire team, minus one player who left just before the pix was taken. I"m so proud of how well he worked today. Both as a running player and as the goalie.  He was "on fire!"  What a great way to end the season as well!

Season Seven...

Last night, I realized that this is my seventh season coaching/coaching as the assist for E's soccer team.  He's come a long way.  Here we were on our way to our first practice.

Fast Forward several 3 years, and here is Friday evening's shut out game, 3-0....E's really taken to the defense position.

What a cutie in the background!  Go FIRECRACKERS!!

And yes, rumor has it, I'm we're signing on again!

Childhood Memories

Saturday, we had back to back soccer games so I packed a picnic lunch for us to enjoy. The games were 11am and 12pm. Eating lunch at 10 isn't going to work and then...waiting until after 1pm isn't either. So...we had PB&J, watermelon and pretzle rods while Con played his game.

While M* and I were sitting and eating, I told her about when I was her age.

Back then, my mom could run into Gray Drug store...which is now RiteAid...to grab a few items while us kids would sit in the car. Alone, unchaperoned, and young. From time to time she would surprise us with a pretzel rod when she got back to the car. I remember they would cost three cents and were stored in a container on the checkout counter. They were not "individually wrapped."

(So...that is the closest picture I could find with a quick google images search.)

I remember trying to suck on it...to make it last. But I'm a cruncher...and well...the CRUNCH came pretty quickly. hehe.

C* won his game...2-1. He has really stepped up his running game and I'm so glad. It was a hard game for the Jet Dragons. The other team had set up a cherry pick...and kept using it. So Coach Mark had to get our kids into a different game plan.

E*'s game time arrived and I was the lone coach. My assitant coach was out of town. So we were down to only 5 players...meaning only one substitute. As soon as we started playing, it started to rain. And it rained pretty steady the entire first quarter. The girls were in shock that we'd play in the rain. I told them, "Pretend you are playing in the shower and keep going!" We got 2 goals before the end of the first quarter. We went to the sidelines for the break and the other coach asked if I wanted to call the game off. Well, I could tell that the parents wanted to keep going b/c it looked like the weather was going to pass in a few minutes. So we agreed to wait it out 5 minutes. While waiting, one of my players left. And with no subs (the other team had 7 or 8 on their team)...we called the game. But...since we were up by 2...I'm still calling it a win. (We also already beat this team earlier.) So, my little Strikers Team is still UNDEFEATED...and yes...I'm very pleased!

Photos to come as soon as I can get them from Ken's digital card.

Saturday is a special day...

It's the day we play our soccer games!

Today was C's "Jet Dragons" team's first game. His team really hustled on the field. C*'s coach raved about how he was aggressively going for the ball. He loves to play goalie. When he is playing another position, he certainly runs for/with the ball, but he doesn't "fight" to get the ball out of the mix. So today, he really stepped up his game.

It was a little cool but not terribly cold at all. But M* and E* were "freezing." The chairs and German rain pouncho were turned into a tent for them to huddle together.




Here is E* peeking out...ridiculous!

C*'s favorite position!

The Jet Dragons' game was tied 1-1 at the final whistle. Good job team!

As soon as the parents made the tunnel for the kids, we packed up walked over a few fields for E*'s first game! Wahoo!

Things went smoothly. The young boy who reffed was someone I knew and his mom was there too. So it was a smooth transition to becoming a "seasoned" coach who has actually played a game. We were blessed with another player who was added to our team today. L* is actually in E's preschool class too. The Strikers played extremely well! I can honestly say that players were focused most of the entire game! E* did have one run in with his head...and sat out for a few minutes. Coach Frankie helped with the subs. I walked up and down, up and down the field as the both teams dribbled back and forth.

I was so happy when we got the first and second goals...and it just kept coming. I think we ended up with 5 goals. A shut out!

After goal 3, E ran up to me and exclaimed, "Coach Dawn, it's 3-0!!!" in an excited voice. Although it's all for fun, it is nice for the team to start off on such a great note.

Here is our end of the game "Go Strikers!" huddle/cheer.

Now...to get the photographer to take more pix of the game/players than the kids huddled in the "tent!"

First soccer practice...Check!

Tonight was my first soccer practice as a coach.

Coach Dawn and E*

It went pretty well. I was told that we would have 4 players and this level (U4) only plays 4 at a time. One goalie, 3 palyers. Which meant no substitutes for the game. But one woman and her son switched over to our team. So now we have 5 players and an assistant coach. "Coach Frankie," as she would like to be called, actually plays soccer. She will be a great help for us. Though it was a little...unnerving?...to see her walking up with soccer shoes on! haha. But she was very kind and easy to work with. And I had someone to verify my coaching advice. While I know about soccer, I haven't actually played it on a team or taught it. So tonight went like this:

Me to a soccer player: When you are the goalie, you want to stand a little in front of the goal. If you are standing in the goal, and catch ball, it will count as a score.

Then me to Coach Frankie: Right?

Haha. Double checking is always good...right?

She was great and hopefully didn't thing I was too green. Our first game is on Saturday. Oh yeah...and we're the STRIKERS!

Some moms are soccer moms. Some moms are soccer coaches.




Now, this mom is a soccer coach. haha. Isn't that a hoot? E*'s U-4 soccer team needed one. And for some reason, I was born with this overwelming sense of duty that means I have to raise my hand and help people out! haha. If you're a soccer coach mom who has experience with 4 year olds and soccer, feel free to post any suggestions.