Life's tough moments at age eleven. Losing that critical soccer game. Tough moments as a parent. Watching my daughter walk off the soccer field with tears in her eyes after she gave her all. She played her heart out, but the conditions were tough. Up until today her team was undefeated in the playoffs. They had won with ease, 5-0 and 4-1, but today they were up against another undefeated team.
The two teams had met earlier in the season and tied 1-1, but today circumstances were different. One of the goalies on my daughter's team was away for Thanksgiving break. Two of the top forwards on her team were recovering from the flu and one had an injured foot, yet even with those strikes against them, the team went out and played hard.
Both teams were evenly matched. It was a defensive game. It seemed as if there was more time spent on throw-ins, than time on the field. And then, there was just one moment in the sixty minutes of play the other team had a five second break that ended with a goal. The goal that ended the Icenators season.
At the end of the game, I felt sadness for each of the girls as they walked off the field knowing the season ended here. This soccer season was about more than just a soccer team playing games on Saturday. New friendships were forged with the girls as well as the parents. The team really bonded. There weren't any little cliques like some of the past teams my daughter has played on. The girls really played well with each other on and off the field.
Today's tough lesson, all seasons eventually come to an end. This was that day for my daughter and her team, the Icenators. I saw her sadness as she came off the field. Even with the biggest hug from mom, her sadness did not dissipate. I know time heals sadness. Soon she will move on to her next sport, her next team, but today my eleven year old is not really dealing with the loss of a game as much as the end of a great team! My sincere thanks goes out to the coaches, parents and most importantly the Icenators for a great 2007 soccer season!
8 comments:
So well written Liza, I think we all feel the same way. I don't know who is more dissapointed, the girls or us parents!
I wanted to offer to compile a fun slide show for the girls and the team. I have a neat software program that I can put together photos, music and slides. If anyone would like to send me their photos (jpeg only, please nothing from an online photo store) I can work on it this Thanksgiving week.
Great game everyone, they did their very best!
Lisa
Sounds like a growing moment for everyone.....losses are so important,we learn so much and gain from them if we learn from them....Doyle
I'm so sorry, not easy to find out at that age that you can't win them
all, no matter how hard you try. But it's not the end of the world and
there will be many more chances along the way. Lee.
Liza
You brought another tear to my eye. Whew!!!! What a day!!!
We had a great season. This was Brittn's 1st year playing soccer, and I don't think it could of been better.
I look forward to seeing you at the end of the year party. I hope that we can all stay in touch with each other.
Love, Jami
So true Liza. I think the hardest part of losing today is not being able to play 2 more games with the great team. The team was great and so were the parents.
Linda B
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HI,
It is always hard to watch our children have pain. It sounds like Emily has much to be proud of with her team's productive year. In the end it is things like this that build character and make us who we are today. Know you are proud of her.
Sharon
Well, I am finally getting around to having computer time. Between my Dad playing Mah Jong and Sarah with I tunes and Webkinz - I've been at the bottom of the line!
In response to both Liza and Lisa - I am in total agreement - I will admittedly own up to tears at the last game. I cried when Kendra fell and was crying on the field. I cried again, when Emily and Kendra came off the field crying at the end of the game. I am so proud of all of our girls for playing their hearts out in spite of illness and injuries.
With this being the eve of Thanksgiving I feel it only appropriate to list the things that I am most thankful for this soccer season.
1. Coach Tom and his family. This is our second year of being blessed with having Coach Tom - yes, blessed. The Djokovich Family are wonderful people - positive, caring and great soccer players, soccer mom and coach to boot! (Yes, pun intended).
2. Coach John and his family. John too is a solid, upstanding person, who always had positive comments to the girls. He and Tom were a great blend.
3. Each and every player on the team. You girls ROCK! Seriously, everyone was supportive of each other both on and off the field. I am so proud of the way you girls handled yourselves every single game. You played your best and always displayed true sportsmanship! Thank you for giving us such a wonderful season.
4. To all of the parents, family members and friends. Without you and your support this season, it wouldn't have been nearly as much fun or successful. You are doing a great job with your girls and it shows.
Thank you one and all for your gift of friendship and kindness. God bless you and your families.
Most sincerely,
Linda
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