Can't forget the kiddies

I mentioned this in my last few posts but I've been coaching soccer and having a blast. I don't think I'm as strict as my dad was when he was coaching me as a kid. But we're going to blame that on the occasional language barrier. But last Saturday we played in the championship game. We had won our last 4 games which I think was partially do to the big man upstairs because the only reason we won 2 of those 4 games was because of a giant puddle in front of the goal. But we made it the finals and we almost went to a shoot out again. We won the last game by shoot out and we were about 6 minutes away from going to another shoot out in the finals. But I'll try and give you a quick break down of the game; it was rather stressful. First half the ball spent 25 minutes of a 30 minute half on our side. We were getting crushed; it was all defense, all the time. We only had 2 shots on goal the first half and both were outside the box. But the defense did great! The other team didn't score, but it wasn't out of a lack of shooting, it was our lucky puddle and balls hitting the post. Multiple balls bounced off the post and into our goalies hands, one even hit the cross bar. My heart stopped multiple times.
Second half, after a good pep talk from Paulee, the kids started playing like a team and we actually got another 2 shots on goal. Lets be honest, we still hadn't gotten the ball in the penalty box. But a shots a shot. With 6 minutes left I was beginning to think we could actually be going to a shootout. But then a foul was called and they had a "long" free kick. The team was much larger then my team in general and their kicks were just as large. The kids bombed it all the way to my goalie who batted it down and right into the opposing team. They drilled a lazer into goal before I had time to say "GETTTT THHEE BBBAAALLLLLLLLL". It was too late. They scored, but the kids tried hard to move the ball forward but the other team was just kicking it out. We couldn't make any progress and then the game was over.

It was a great game and we had a great season. Second place is nothing to shake a stick at, besides we are starting an older kids tournament in 2 weeks. So I'll be busy. Soccer Soccer Soccer.

Side note: I went running yesterday and after I ran 2.5 miles some guy invited me to play arena soccer with a bunch of his friends. Needless to say it was 6 on 6 but my team was playing with only .5 of a soccer player. They are really good and trying to do what they were telling me to do is difficult when I'm still translating things in my head. I'm getting better and the Woods were very impressed that I would put my pride on the line like that. I think I'll try and practice a little bit more with the little kids before I go play with the grown-ups again.

Scott