Champions

This weekend we played some more soccer. We were up earlier than a school day and we sat through some miserable weather, but I’d do it again to watch this guy. 

He can play defense in the cold. 

He can play offense in the pouring rain.

He can win championships.

Maybe it’s the new pink shoes? Nah, he could do it all in his duct taped shoes, too, 

State League Game #1 in Pictures

My favorite season is here! Travel soccer season has arrived! 

We won our first state league game of the season 5-1. Keagan had two penalty kicks that were perfectly placed. Lots of trash talking, lots of warnings for physical play, and many instances of down right disrespect for the game from the other team’s players. 

I’m so excited for this season and what’s to come. My prayer is that Keagan’s knees will stay healthy!

Summer Vacation - Part 2

Our summer of soccer “vacations” took us this weekend to an ID camp in Music City. It was hotter than seven Hades, but Belmont is Keagan’s dream school. He has had his eyes set on this D1 school for a couple of years. We hydrated, hydrated some more, and crossed our fingers he would make a great impression on the coach. 

Pink 16 was impressive because although the heat wilted me, Keagan was running on that hot turf, giving it his all, and making some impressive stops. He conceded one goal and that was to an actual player from the college team. 

Two ID camps down. Two (or three) more ID camps to go. Summer training begins tomorrow night. 

State Cup

As the eighth seed, we did not have high hopes going into the State Cup and playing the first seeded team. So imagine our surprise when the score was zero all at half. Or our excitement when we scored the first goal of the game in the 75th minute. Even when they scored in the 80th minute with a banger (one of the best placed shots I’ve seen) we still maintained we had the advantage when the game went to PKs. Unfortunately, they hit one more into the goal with twenty seconds remaining. It was heartbreaking. But this is exactly why we come back for more each and every weekend. There is always hope you will win next time.

I though a Keagan had a great defensive game. He had several key plays that kept the Legends from scoring. Here’s his header in the 60th minute. 

https://youtu.be/NY8_Q9hDY80

We left the game with our heads down, but we already look forward to next weekend and the next game.

Weekend Shots

Second place is no fun and it's written all over Keagan's face.

Weekend Fun

Evan is with Wes in South Carolina playing RPL soccer games ( and having some fun too). After Sunday's early game, they visited Falls Park. 

My parents and I are in Murfreesboro with Keagan playing soccer. After our very early (ungodly early) morning game today, we stopped for brunch. Unbeknownst to me, the restaurant required us to cook our own breakfast! Keagan ordered French toast and cooked it himself.

After devouring his bacon, six slices of toast and his fruit smoothie, he asked, "When do we play here again?" The kid is now choosing soccer tournaments by the choice of local eateries.

Mud, Mud, and More Mud

Keagan's team played soccer this weekend at a beautiful complex with fields completely covered in mud. Just how muddy?

Um, well, fairly muddy. 

Sunday morning we beat the team that beat us last fall in the I-will-never-forget -you-PK shoot-out. Keagan had a hat trick and played at the top of his game. We lost the championship game, though, 1 to 2. I dreamed all night about the one shot that should have counted! 

This should be a sign that I take youth soccer too seriously, but instead, I researched topics online like "tips for lifting the ball when you kick" and "improving your shot." 

Next weekend is more of the same: mud, soccer, and rain, but Keagan will be ready to turn around and play again just as soon as I get that uniform clean!

Another Medal to Add to the Collection

We spent the afternoon at another indoor soccer tournament. Keagan's team won 5 to 2, 2 to 0, and then 4 to 2. Three wins meant we were headed to the championship game. We ended the final game with a tie of 3 to 3. We went to penalty kicks and lost by one goal. Keagan came home with a medal, but the finalist medal just doesn't mean as much as the champion medal.

It's good to lose sometimes, said this soccer mom never. 

To make matters worse, I wore my new Soccer Mom shirt, and because of today's loss I just don't know if I can take the risk of it jinxing any future wins by wearing it again. It's a shame, too, because it is just so stinkin' cute.

Just as well, because Wes told me he wouldn't sit next to me if I wore it, and true to his word, he moved to the far set of bleachers as far away from me as he could when Fusion took the turf and I stood up in the stands in full soccer mom glory.  

I say if he can get over my loud mouth and all of my cheering then surely he can get over a cute shirt. 

Galaxy Soccer

In addition to playing Gator soccer this spring, Keagan is also on a rec team through Fort Stewart. Look at this face. Is he intense about rec soccer or what? Kudos to my friend Maria who snapped this shot.