GOAL!!!

Nice Save!

Lookin' HOT!!!

Fancy Footwork

Lucky Number!!!

Alyssa is really enjoying soccer. Hip Hip Hooray! She's really pretty good at it. She's a good hustler and she has enough attitude to take on the whole team. I could not have asked for better coaches. Both of them have been coaching for years. They're really teaching these girls how to play. But, the thing I like the most is that it's a very positive coaching style.

Alyssa like playing keeper (goalie, same thing). It kind of freaks me out. I don't like the idea of my baby bending down to pick up a ball that three other girls are trying to kick. Not much gets past her, especially when she has her "keeper coach" on the side line telling her where to stand. Mike is impressed with her. She's really kind of a wus. But, when she's in the mood she turns into a competitor on the field.

Keeper Coach of the Year!

During the 4th game she was playing against a girl that had been beating our team all day. Alyssa was frusterating her, because she wasn't afraid of her and kept taking the ball from her. The girls was getting more and more upset until finally she took Alyssa down HARD! The whole parent section inhaled in unison. I was the mom on the side yelling, "You're OK. Hop up. Great hustle." I then had the insecure moment. Was I the worst mother in the world for not running out to fuss over her? All the girls took a knee, the coach ran out to help her off the field, everyone cheered as she walked off by her own power, and our team scored off the penalty kick. I knew if I fussed over her that we would have to leave and she might never play again. Dramatics is a big part of Alyssa's personality. She chose to be tough, and she played keeper the 4th quarter and nothing got by her.

The 5th game brought a milestone that had been long anticipated. During the third quarter Alyssa got 2 goals! I thought I might do a back flip. She was so excited. After the game I walked over to give the team their treats just in time to hear the coach say, "Alyssa please tell the rest of the team what happens when you play your position." "You get a goal!!!" yelled Alyssa.

Did I mention that our coaches are top rate? After the girls had disipated the coach came up to me and just went on and on about my girl. When Alyssa joined us he got down on his knees, took her by the hands and told her that today she was the best player on the field. He reminded her that on the first day of practice she told him that she didn't think she could play forward, because she wasn't a very good ball handler. Well, I think we know that that is not the case. He just praised her up and down for her persistance, attitude, and hustle. My daughter floated to the car. She was on top of the world. It meant so much to her (and her mom) that he would take the time to make her feel special.

So, for today soccer is the way to go. I hope she sticks with it. She has quite a knack for it and it gives her lots of battle wounds to tell all her friends about.