This past weekend was the JISF. It was two fantastic and exciting days of soccer from dawn to dusk. Coaching two u9 boys teams in the same division as well as filling in for another coach meant that I was busy every minute of each day. I barely got a chance to see any other matches. I heard that we represented well though. I know that many of the JIYSC teams got to the finals in their respective divisions. I'm just not sure how they all did yet.
My two u9 teams were supposed to play in two separate divisions. But due to lack of teams, they were thrown in the mix together. I figured it would be good experience for the younger group. I really wasn't sure who the competition was aside from the one local team, DISA.
When we started the games, it was evident that the older Stingers were in a much easier group than the Hurricanes. They racked up 17 goals for with 2 against in two games.
The Hurricanes had two very tough games. Drawing 6-6 and losing 5-3, we thought they were done and not moving on. However, they were tied all across the board with a team from Liberty Point SC. So this meant that on Sun morning, kicks from the mark would be needed to determine who would move on to the semifinal. The boys arrived at the field and were
very nervous and excited to get started. I found myself feeling the butterflies flapping around in my stomach. I even had to run to the bathroom a few times while the boys took practice shots. All the boys were hitting good shots, stretching our keeper out and forcing him to make great saves. 10am came and it was time to get going. We went 11 rounds that saw 5 saves by our keeper and a few chances for redemption for a couple of the kick takers. The crowd swelled to at least 150 onlookers. It was a very memorable.moment for me and my boys for sure. Their faces were priceless as they looked around to see all the parents, refs, coaches, and other teams cheering for the well struck goals and great saves. I don't think I will ever forget the look of my keeper. He was so steely and laser-focused for his age. The boys let the pressure roll off them like water from a duck's back. And they won!
So after all that emotion, the highs and the lows...they had to immediately play the semifinal game....against my other team. Yup...so what do I do?
Lucky for me and the kids, our coaching staff at JIYSC is awesome and my friend Andrew offered to help me with my dilemma. Of course I still found myself coaching both squads a little bit. The Stingers went on to win.the match. And there were definitely some hard feelings on the losing side. But as I always tell my teams, win or lose - its about the experience, and we can always learn something to help us grow.
In the final, the Stingers lost 3-2. It was a frustrating loss. We gave up two goals off of free kicks. We dominated the match but couldn't find the net enough times to win. But second place ain't that bad now, is it?!
At the end of the weekend, the great highs and awesome experiences trumped the low moments. This was just the start of a long Spring soccer season. With 4 more tourneys to go, as well as the league play, the memories will surely start to pile up. I will try to relay those as they happen.
My two u9 teams were supposed to play in two separate divisions. But due to lack of teams, they were thrown in the mix together. I figured it would be good experience for the younger group. I really wasn't sure who the competition was aside from the one local team, DISA.
When we started the games, it was evident that the older Stingers were in a much easier group than the Hurricanes. They racked up 17 goals for with 2 against in two games.
The Hurricanes had two very tough games. Drawing 6-6 and losing 5-3, we thought they were done and not moving on. However, they were tied all across the board with a team from Liberty Point SC. So this meant that on Sun morning, kicks from the mark would be needed to determine who would move on to the semifinal. The boys arrived at the field and were
very nervous and excited to get started. I found myself feeling the butterflies flapping around in my stomach. I even had to run to the bathroom a few times while the boys took practice shots. All the boys were hitting good shots, stretching our keeper out and forcing him to make great saves. 10am came and it was time to get going. We went 11 rounds that saw 5 saves by our keeper and a few chances for redemption for a couple of the kick takers. The crowd swelled to at least 150 onlookers. It was a very memorable.moment for me and my boys for sure. Their faces were priceless as they looked around to see all the parents, refs, coaches, and other teams cheering for the well struck goals and great saves. I don't think I will ever forget the look of my keeper. He was so steely and laser-focused for his age. The boys let the pressure roll off them like water from a duck's back. And they won!
So after all that emotion, the highs and the lows...they had to immediately play the semifinal game....against my other team. Yup...so what do I do?
Lucky for me and the kids, our coaching staff at JIYSC is awesome and my friend Andrew offered to help me with my dilemma. Of course I still found myself coaching both squads a little bit. The Stingers went on to win.the match. And there were definitely some hard feelings on the losing side. But as I always tell my teams, win or lose - its about the experience, and we can always learn something to help us grow.
In the final, the Stingers lost 3-2. It was a frustrating loss. We gave up two goals off of free kicks. We dominated the match but couldn't find the net enough times to win. But second place ain't that bad now, is it?!
At the end of the weekend, the great highs and awesome experiences trumped the low moments. This was just the start of a long Spring soccer season. With 4 more tourneys to go, as well as the league play, the memories will surely start to pile up. I will try to relay those as they happen.
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