Week Eight. Bears and Sharks One Last Time.

     The skillful play of the Sharks was a pleasure to watch and we saw an organized attack that was the culmination of all the work the team has done together over the last two sessions.  Sam and Austin played with perfect spacing most of their time in and always seemed each to know where the other was.  Thanks to that organized play Karolyn was in position to get her first goal of the session off of a beautiful pass, from Elizabeth I think.  And among the younger players Jagger was a real stand-out too, playing some of his best soccer yet.  He was playing more "heads-up" than ever before.
     It was great to have Trey back and he seemed to be playing "heads-up" too.  Of course, he did get caught off guard by the blast off his shins from Jackson that resulted in an own-goal.  Jackson's grin and shrug after that incident was priceless.
     The Bears aren't yet able to manage the kind of team-attack the Sharks have but what they do have is tenaciousness and determination.  In the third and fourth quarters especially they played just brilliant defense against the best the Sharks had to offer.  Micah pitched a shutout in the third and then Zyckik was  rock-solid in the fourth.  Ava and Maddox were chasing the Sharks out of their goal repeatedly and smartly turning up field for runs toward the Shark goal.  Carson had a great game too and he and Ashley both had their moments of ball-control grace but just couldn't penetrate the Shark defense.   I was thrilled to see how un-intimidated the Bears were compared to their previous matches with the Sharks and especially given that in this game the Sharks were more effective than ever before.  That was a great game for both teams.
     I've said this at the end of sessions before but I have to say it every time.  It's an honor to work with your kids.  When I see them play well and really enjoy themselves, really give themselves to the joy of the game, I feel grateful for having had the chance to work with them.  Thanks.