Sunday, January 27, 2008

The Agony of Defeat......

I'm sad to report that the girls lost their Semifinals game. This will be my last soccer recap (at least until April, when they start back up again-LOL). I think getting up at 5:00 to travel up to Seattle, was just too much for the girls. That, and they played a team that wanted it every bit as much as our girls did. We arrived to the field, to be met by ice pellets and rain. The girls had all written "Believe" across their foreheads in blue ink. This would later add to the pathetic vision of the girls as they trudged off the field. They started off playing fantastic, but the other team responded to each and every goal. After two overtimes, when it looked like they were heading to penalty kicks, the other team managed to get a shot off that went in. Delaney had one last attempt at a goal to tie it and ended up sprawled on the icy turf w/ a twisted ankle- tears were just pouring at this point. I think partially from the ankle, and partially from knowing they were not moving on to the Finals.

All 12 girls left the field, tears down their faces, blue ink mixing in w/ the tears, and icy wet hair. But, they were met w/ a huge round of applause by some very, very proud parents. We all decided NOT to spend the night since the weather is supposed to get somewhat nasty today (which may have also added to the tears), but by the time we hit our lunch spot a short while later, all tears were gone and the girls were focused on the team party. Gotta love 10 and 11 year olds :)

While it would have been nice to make it to the finals, I think losing is a good life lesson as well. They handled the loss as graciously as you can at this age, and now have extra motivation for next year, which is right around the corner.

Thanks for letting me share- Gotta run

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