Soccer in Knox

We were lucky enough to get a state league game in Knoxville again this year! Keagan and I left town early enough on Saturday to grab a late lunch with Evan in Market Square before the game in Farragut. While driving through campus, Keagan sighted one of the robots that delivers food - he’s still fascinated by that technology. However, we didn’t catch sight of Sinan the squirrel. I guess he was resting up after Thursday’s big game. 

Keagan’s team won with a score of 4-1. K had four clearances and two great plays up top almost leading to goals. It was definitely one of his better games. We are undefeated in state league play and play again on Wednesday night. 

State Semi-Finals

Today’s TSC semi-final game started with a formal team presentation

and prayer which is always led by the team captain - my baby boy.

We quickly got on top of the scoreboard with a PK shot by Keagan. I said a quick prayer of my own when Keagan motioned he had the kick. It went something like, “Sweet Mother of Jesus, I can’t watch.”

https://youtu.be/KyCf-lD8W2w

You can hear me AND Evan cheer when this went in.

We were officially beating the #1 team in the state for about 25 minutes, and then we weren’t any more. We were eliminated after a final score of 1-4.

Evan’s team dominated their semi-final game. 

The center backs and goalies have given up no goals this tournament after a final score today of 4-0.

Evan and teammates return next Saturday for the championship. I cannot wait to see these boys bring it home.

Tournament Weekend

My boys played five soccer games between the two of them and reff’ed two games a piece this weekend. Evan’s team played up in a local tournament and came home as the finalist. It was a hard fought weekend with tough competition and winning first would have been so sweet!

Keagan had his hard earned Reffing money spent by 6:00 Saturday night on a video game upgrade. 

Evan spent his money a bit more wisely. He went to the movies with friends, but he only bought his movie ticket and refused to buy soda and popcorn.

Throw in games past sunset and games before sunrise and you get an exhausting weekend. I need a weekend to recover from my weekend! Here’s hoping to seven hours of glorious sleep!

Finalists

We traveled to North Carolina this past weekend for a soccer tournament. Yes, it is a four hour drive. Yes, we are crazy. But not as crazy as my parents who drove 15 hours to get their soccer fix.

We won the first game 9 to 0. We tied the second game 2-2.

That meant we had all night to rehash the shoulda, woulda, couldas that always follow a tied score and endless conversations on how many points each team had to score in order to advance to the finals. 

Evan woke me up on Sunday morning whispering in my ear, "Mom, if we score 8 goals in our next game, are we guaranteed to go to the finals?" 

We did better than eight goals; we won our third game 14-0. That meant we were headed to the championship!

Unfortunately, we didn't win the final game, but we came home with finalists medals and a resolve to ensure my boys never pick up a North Carolina accent. I will never hear "mark up" the same again.

Brother on Brother

Another weekend of soccer. One of our games today had brother against brother. There were many opportunities for one to beat the other to the ball. Take this example.

Keagan was able to catch up, but it looked like Evan might still have the advantage. 

 Not this time, though. Keagan was able to take it away just in time.

Evan's team came out on top, but it was a very close game. Afterwards, both boys shook hands and walked to the next field for the next game. And that was that.