Last week Harriet's soccer season came to an end. For the last year she has been on the same AYSO plus team, nicknamed the Hippie Chicks, playing games with other Orange County teams competing on fields all over south county. Their same team stayed on as a spring soccer team, and to close out the season they recently stepped off the grass field and out of their comfort zone to participate in two beach soccer tournaments. Beach soccer they discovered, is a completely different game than field soccer. While they struggled a bit at the first tournament, they still managed to come in second of their age group (out of maybe 5 teams?). But they quickly got the hang of it, and last weekend in Long Beach the Hippie Chicks dominated, winning all four of their games, taking the championship in their age group.
The last game that Harriet played in was also quite significant in that it was the first game in which she scored a goal! Because on the field she mostly plays defense and mid-field, she rarely gets close enough to the goal to shoot. But on the beach, on a much smaller patch of sand, with the teams five on five, she played some offense and was able to shoot a goal in for her team! It was very exciting for her and for us, and especially Grandpa John and Grandma Ann who had driven up to Long Beach just to see her play in that second game. Way to go Harriet!!!
The last game that Harriet played in was also quite significant in that it was the first game in which she scored a goal! Because on the field she mostly plays defense and mid-field, she rarely gets close enough to the goal to shoot. But on the beach, on a much smaller patch of sand, with the teams five on five, she played some offense and was able to shoot a goal in for her team! It was very exciting for her and for us, and especially Grandpa John and Grandma Ann who had driven up to Long Beach just to see her play in that second game. Way to go Harriet!!!
Yesterday was the AYSO plus team tryouts for next season. She, along with most of her existing team tried out again. Having made the plus team for the past two years, and with the team staying pretty consistent with the same girls we know it would be fun for her to be on this team with the same coach for another season. But we've also discussed with her the opportunity that could come with not making the plus team, the chance to play on a new team with a new coach and new friends. There were close to 30 girls at the tryouts, with 13 needed for a team. We'll know by July 1st whether or not she makes the team again this year.
One of Peter's and my most favorite things is to watch the kids play their sports, and watching Harriet bonding with her teammates, learning more about the game of soccer, getting exercise with her heart pounding, finding her niche on the team, feeling good about herself and learning how to be a gracious winner as well as loser has been a highlight of the year.
on the bench in her sports goggles, wearing the Lake Forest green plus colors
Oceanside Beach Soccer Tournament
Hippie Chicks in their signature sweatshirts
One difference in the sand? No cleats or shin guards, just sand socks!
the Ref laying out the rules
watching from the sidelines, waiting to be rotated in
Playing the Oceanside Beach Devils, whom we would eventually come in at second place to
after at this tournament. In Long Beach we beat them to take the championship.
throw in time is 5 seconds, or lose possession of the ball
even a different type of ball is used for beach soccer
Love these girls!
Last weekend at Long Beach - Pete had to take some students from his school to a math competition so all the boys came with Harriet and me to the beach tournament.
In between games the boys played in the water and had a mud fight. Long Beach struck me as a little bit nasty - there was a lot of trash along the shoreline and the water is port water - lots of big boats passing in and out, not many waves to refresh the water. But, the beach is the beach and they had fun.
Harriet and her team had fun as well - they really just enjoyed playing and did their best and played hard and well every game. Beach soccer consists of three quarters per game (or three sections, whatever) and with twelve girls on the team here coach played four girls each section, with our awesome goalie staying in the whole game.
I brought my (new for Mother's Day!) camera to take photos and ended up filming Harriet's entire playing time in the first game for Pete. Without enough space on the disk I wasn't able to film her playing time in the second game which was of course when she scored the goal. (frowny face)
So for you fans of Harriet who weren't able to be at the game I have posted the video of her playing time in the first game here. She is defense in this game, and along with the goalie does a great job of keeping the ball away from our goal. Total length is around 9 minutes, sorry also about the amateur shaky camera footage -
Harriet only participated in the Saturday portion of the tournament when the first two games were played. The final two games were played on Sunday, and one of the girls' mother kept us updated via text message, letting us know when they won the second game and claimed the championship.
Congrats Harriet on another great year of soccer!
And, here's a look at where Pete spent the day - he recruits, coaches and chaperones 5th grade students from his school each year to participate in the Santa Ana Mathematics Field Day. Although we missed having him at Harriet's games (and he missed being there) we know he was doing a great service for these students, their families and his school.
Proud of you too, Pete!
participating students - Pete had these headbands made for them
to wear and represent at the competion
with their certificates and medals
***UPDATE: Harriet made the 2011-12 AYSO plus team!
See you all soon!***
1 comment:
CONGRATULATIONS Harriet for making another year with the Hippie Chicks! (maybe there will be a new name)
Another fun year of Sat AM soccer games for Grandpa and me! xox, Gma
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