Soccer Fun

It has been an incredible season for Maren this year.   She has grown tremendously under a very patient and skilled coach (he's in bright yellow in the background of the picture above).  Actually, her whole team has grown so much, and they have so much to be proud of.  Her coach has been really good at letting the kids play in different positions, and I feel that while they didn't win every game, because he would pull the scoring stars back into defensive, it gave them the opportunity to understand the game from many different positions.

Maren went from a league where they didn't have goalies to this one where they had been playing with goalies for a couple of years.  The coach gave her a few opportunities to be a keeper and at first it was very hard, but by the last time she played that position she didn't let a single goal through, and had a rocking goal kick.  It was fun to see such obvious progress.  She also plays a very good defense with a solid kick and is good at challenging any opponent that makes it down the field.  But where Maren really thrives is is in the offense.  She can really dribble that ball, and it is fun to watch.  And her scoring has really improved, she is taking more and more shots, and following them up.  I wish I had gotten a video of her scoring, but it seems that dad is her good luck charm and she seems to score the most when he is there.  He did get some great photos for me though, as did Michelle, thanks!

I think the thing the I like most about soccer is the friendships she has made, and the self esteem booster that has been for her.  I have a feeling that many of the girls won't play beyond this season as they start the enforce off sides and the competition starts to get harder.  And very likely she will loose her coach, although he hasn't made any decisions yet.  Crossing our fingers and toes he sticks around!