Soccer Season

Tonight, we have soccer season wrap parties for both Matthew and Brayden's teams (Taylor's was last weekend). What a season it was! For ten weeks, we juggled three soccer schedules, all with Tuesday practices and Saturday games. I am tired of washing jerseys and stinky socks, but the kids had a blast. As much as I will enjoy the first weekend without a soccer game to attend (although Taylor still has two this coming weekend), Tommy and I will miss cheering for our kids, watching them improve, and chatting with the other parents. I have grown to love the sport of soccer - it is teaching the kids so much and keeps them active!

Taylor's team this season was the Green Dragonflies. There were 12 girls on the team, and seven of them go to Newcastle Elementary. The moms and I had quite the carpool schedule to get them to/from practices (five of them also had Girls Scouts together after practice a few times). I noticed some big changes in rec soccer this season, starting with the length of the field. The girls were a lot more competitive/aggressive - in a good way. Taylor enjoyed playing goalie a few times, and she scored one goal this season (which is great - there were only 1-2 goals scored each game).

Matthew's team this season was the Ninjas. Most of the team has played together for three seasons: Matty, Lucas, Nathan, and Xander. Xander's dad, James, is the coach, and he is incredible. All eight boys on the team are Newcastle kids, with the exception of Xander who is home-schooled. The Ninjas are a force to be reckoned with - they have never lost a game. Matty is one of the MVPs on the team - he is a great offensive player but is more importantly is a great defensive player. Below is a video I shot at one of his games, showing how he blocked a goal. Matty beat his previous season's record and scored 25 goals. Unlike Taylor's team, Matty's team scored about 9 goals per game.

Brayden's team this season was the Raptor Bats. There were eight little boys on the team, and we only knew one of them before the season began (Tyler Stone). While Brayden did not score any goals this year (and I have no idea what his team's record was), he absolutely improved over the weeks. I just loved watching him bounce around the field. He is not aggressive (at all) like his brother, but you cannot help but smile as you watch his joy in playing. Whenever he was subbed out and needed to rest during the game, he would run over to me and say, "Mom, aren't you so glad I kicked the ball?" Ha! Love him.

After Taylor's last two games this coming weekend, we have Thanksgiving weekend off before Basketball begins for Matty and Nutcracker is in full swing for Taylor. Brayden turns five in two weeks as well, which means he'll finally be old enough for the youth track club. The fun never ends. :)