Katie's Soccer

Katie's 3rd/4th grade soccer came to a close this past week. Her team didn't fare to well. I think they ended the season 1-5-1, or something like that. At this age, the game can turn on the talent of one player. Twice, she played against a team that had one girl who was a good six inches taller than every other girl on the field.

That girl (pictured furthest on left), who started the first half on defense, scored two goals in the second half, and Katie's team was eliminated from the postseason tournament 2-0. Although there were some talented girls on Katie's team, there were none that could sway a game.

Katie started the season timid, and with little understanding of the game beyond traditional kids'

version of "magnet ball." However, by the end of the season she had a good grasp of the responsibilities of each position, and had honed her skills. Although the coaches played her at defense in the last two games, I think she best served the team at mid. Unlike many on the team, she had the will and the stamina to run both ends of the field, and was best utilized when playing on the offensive side of the ball.

Although she scored no goals during the season, she came close in the second to last regular season game. Collecting a pass just outside of the goalie box, she unloaded a good kick to the left of the goalie. Now in this case, the goalie happened to be one of her good friends, Elizabeth - a solidly athletic girl. Elizabeth reached back to her left, and grabbed the ball before it could cross the goal line. Katie who has always valued friendship over competition, caught Elizabeth's eye, and gave her a "thumbs up."