Soccer Champs...Again.

I know...I know...I said I quit playing soccer 3 weeks ago, and for good reason. But this past Monday was our Championship game for the season. They were checking ID's so I couldn't call in a sub, and to be completely honest...I really wanted to play. I told myself I was just going to suit up in case they needed me. But once I got there, I really got the itch to play. Turns out we only had two subs...me (prego) and Kris, who has an injured knee she's been playing on.

So I started telling myself, I'd be really careful...you know not too aggressive, wouldn't play defensive positions, only play enough to keep the forwards legs fresh...that sort of thing. Turns out that is easier said than done. It was fun to be on the field & thankfully, I didn't take any hits...except for one. The other team had one player that was all over the place playing a bit dirty, which I don't necessarily mind, except that the ref kept calling US for the fouls. We were all getting a bit ticked. I'm not really even certain what happened but she & I were scrambling for the ball, and had I realized who it was, I probably would have backed off...you know that whole "playing careful" thing. We were right in front of our bench, where my sister (prego as well) & friend were sitting & I vaguely remember them telling me to be careful. The scuffle ensued & I got knocked down...not hard & I don't even think it was a foul, but at that point I realized which girl it was on the other team & I was ticked. I jumped up & yelled at the ref to make the call. My sister was outraged that I got hit & about jumped over the box. Mind you, it's not like this girl would even know I'm pregnant, so it really wasn't her fault, but all of our screaming did get her called for the foul! Sucka. Not a second later, I took my spot on the bench! :)

Everyone played great & it was fun to be out there one more time...even though I have been paying the price ever since. My legs are still sore & I am still tired from the late night. The next day I had my first doctor's appointment, which I was glad about because I always feel bad after I do things like that...because really, if something happened to the baby, I'd be devastated. Everything checked out fine & he actually gave me the green light to keep playing soccer as long as I wanted!?! Crap. I should have kept playing those previous 3 weeks!

Soccer Redemption

Remember last week we had a dismal showing & I was a major source of the problem? Well I have to say this week WE TOTALLY REDEEMED OURSELVES (there is another movie quote for ya).

Tonight we played a team that I would classify as our arch enemies of Gilbert city league soccer. The last time we played them our star defender about got in a fight with 2 of their forwards. For the record, my money was on Kristy, our defender. Anyway, the source of the fight a was a nasty elbow their forward purposely delivered to Kristy, who then called her out on it & it went from there. Kristy was the bigger person, apologized & we moved on.

Fast forward 4/5 weeks & we are playing them again. They have SEVEN (yes 7) subs sitting on the bench while we are playing a man down. We got our game faces on, played an awesome first half switching our offensive & defensive players throughout so we could all get a little "rest".

I have to say it was slightly brutal. This team to be frank, plays dirty...you know Bruce Bowen style. I took an elbow to the face, was shoved into the glass repeatedly & we were all just elbowed, kicked & shoved to a high degree. I am all about physical play, but last time I checked we weren't playing hockey.

At half we lead 3-1 & it felt awesome. We all grabbed a quick drink, switched our positions & took the field. At this point we just wanted to keep our lead. Going back to my NBA comparisons...it is all about clock management. I wished the Suns coaching staff could have been to our game tonight, then they could have seen what good clock management looks like...from 6 stay-at-home moms nonetheless.

It's not often that I revel in victory to this degree, but when they are talking smack, playing dirty & you beat them playing a man down...it feels "freakin' awesome"!


Two quotes in this one...kudos for the first person to correctly identify them both.

Soccer Mishaps

Last night after a 2 week break we had a soccer game. Prior to this game we had all been playing really well individually and as a team. Last night, however, was a different story. We did end up winning, but man oh man it was "u-g-l-y you ain't got no alibi!" (Can anyone tell me what that is from???)

Anyway, I was definitely part of the problem...not the solution. First, I totally whiffed a kick & I mean whiffed it. So bad, that instead of finishing the play, I just laughed. I tried to get myself in the zone after such a dismal 1st half. And when I say dismal, I mean dismal. We were down 2-1, but our team had actually scored 2 goals. I understand that doesn't add up, but it is indeed true, as we scored one on ourselves. I am happy to say, I didn't do the scoring on that one! But it was so funny nonetheless.

So the 2nd half starts & I am trying to get myself in the zone. Just think of me chanting inside my head, "Just score the ball, Amy. Just score the ball, Amy." Finally, the perfect opportunity presents itself. It is just me & the goalie. I'm thinking in my head how awesome this goal is going to be until I realize I am dribbling it WAY too long. I can hear my sister yelling from the sidelines to shoot the d*%# ball! I have a problem with waiting too long & it really drives her crazy. Her yelling snaps me out of my day dream of awesomeness & by then it is too late. All the players have converged & the beast the other team calls goalie has thrown herself onto the ball. Crap.

I totally have to redeem myself. And wouldn't you know...another opportunity! We were advancing on the goal & Kim took a great shot that rebounded off the wall (remember its indoor). The ball flies high off the wall headed right towards my head. This would be a great time to redeem myself with an amazing head pass to my teammate who then scores. But wouldn't you know it? I blow it...again. I was all prepped for the header, you know face scrunched, eyes closed, when the ball skims down my face...as in it barely missed my not so perfectly placed head & lands at my feet, although it took me a minute to find it there. Double dang.

I am so glad we won or else I really would feel like a loser. Thank heavens I'm married & there were no boys in the crowd I needed to impress. phew.

15-0

Lindsey, Julie & Amy

I'm not certain why we're all smiling in this picture as we just got our butts handed to us. That title...yeah, that was the score & unfortunately we were the zip, zero, zilch, nada. Not one goal. I don't think we got one decent shot off. It was that bad. I was nervous when I walked into the field and noticed that all the girls looked to be about 16 & several had on shirts indicating they played for a Gilbert club team. Great...a high school club team playing indoor over the summer. It was apparent that they had played together for a long time as their offense worked like clockwork...I'm sure their defense is great too, but we didn't ever really give them an opportunity to display their defensive skills. Had I not been scampering about after them, I probably would have enjoyed watching them play. Some hi-lights from the game? Let's see...I got checked into the glass (you know trying to throw my weight around), my sister tried to take out the goalie, just for the sake of it, Julie took a ball in the chest -- that's a big hit when you're still nursing!

Just so you don't think we are complete losers this team is supposed to be playing in the upper division, but there was an odd number so they had to play down. We did win our game the first week 3-1, so I suppose there is hope for us. And our consolation prize? The league director gave us a free pizza for dealing with this team. Talk about adding insult to injury! Ouch, the pity award. Salt in the wound.

I hope to post better results next week. Game 1 handed me some great bruises on my legs - 4 to be exact, and some slight soreness. Great battle wounds when you get a win. Game 2 handed me a hit to the ego & a sore foot. Somewhere along the way, my foot got stepped, then jumped on & turned inside out. I can point out where each cleat him my foot. Am I getting old? I hope not & had we won I probably wouldn't mind so much.

After the game these "girls" as that is all they are...little girls (that kicked our butts) pranced off the field while we all corralled our kids. Some where loading up strollers, others looking for theirs & still others carrying theirs out in the football hold. Lucky for me, mine was home sleeping & had we not lost so hard I may have pranced off the field as well.

Better luck (skills?) next time.

Soccer Anyone???

My sister, Lindsey & I (and Julie too) are playing on a Gilbert soccer league. So far, we have 10 people on our team. We are looking for a few more since it is during summer & there will be some vacations in there. Are you up for it??? We had practice last night & I think we'll have a pretty good team...mind you we were all winded after a 5 minute scrimmage, but we muscled through it until Lindsey hyper-extended her knee. Classic. Anyway, some have lots of soccer experience, some medium & some none! Really all you need is an athletic bone in your body & we'll take you! We had a blast last night re-living our 10-year-old soccer days...its a fun group of girls.

Let me know if you are interested & I'll get you the other info. I think there is a $25 registration fee.