Win - Loss (mostly loss)

Well, after our first weekend of select soccer, our boys are 0 - 3. That is, they have lost three matches and won, um, none. Not for lack of effort. But these boys have only been playing together for a few weeks. They are very young, and many (including our son) have never played in a select league. The play is more rough. Fewer fouls are called. Everything seems to move so much faster. And every single child playing at this level is very good. These boys are used to playing in leagues where they were among the best on the field--if not the best. They have a lot of learning to do. A lot of growing.

They play again next weekend. We'll see what happens. Isaiah will rush back from a weekend of playing for college coaches for the game on Sunday. I know he feels like he has learned a lot already, but he's playing a position that he's never played before. It's tough to go from goalie and forward to some kind of midfielder. He's catching on, and his much older (they're all in high school) teammates are basically coaching him while they're playing, but I know he was frustrated and very, very sore following today's final match.

Nearly scoring a goal in the second match yesterday.
It skirted just past the goal bar on the right side.

Slide tackle to save a goal.
Every time he does this, I see hospitals and casts in our future.

Dude freaking STEPPED ON MY BOY!
Very difficult to remain calm in this situation.
Isaiah had to leave the game.

Getting much better at ball control.

Esther-Faith's first soccer game is next Saturday.
She's kind of excited. But I SURE HOPE she
doesn't try (or say) anything she saw this weekend.