We're winding down another spring soccer season -- just 2 more games to go. And then a tournament. Anna has reprised her position as goalie. And man, she is GOOD. Over the last few seasons Scott has spent a lot of time with her working on technique, skills, strategy, and adopting a tough goalie mindset - that ball is MINE!
She's a pretty cute goalie.
Saturday's game was at 8:45am and we arrived an hour early (like we always do) so that Anna can warm up. The morning light was perfect for some picture taking and my new camera was itching to be used.
Part of the warm-up includes some jokes & jabbing to get her laughing & loosened up. She is SO full of butterflies & nerves before the game. It always surprises me because I know that she's got the goalie thing down, but still there is a lot of self-imposed pressure to perform well for the team.
Practicing that winning goal kick. Last season she scored 3 goals with her goal kicks. They went high and straight down the middle into her team's net. We verified with the referee and the league judge, and sure enough when the ball is in play and the keeper kicks it the goal is good. It hasn't happened this season (yet) but she has been close. Just a little to the left!
Here she is in action. Diving for the ball, sprawling her body on the ground to protect the ball (even if that means tripping a player on the opposing team), jumping, blocking/punching the ball . . . she is all in.
But, she also likes to run on the field. So during the 2nd half she trades places with another girl and Anna gets to play forward on the side.
I love to see the girls work together and it is so much fun when their passes work out to create some awesome plays and goals. Cute moment of Anna & Gabby congratulating each other on the field for some great teamwork that lead to a goal.
The team we played on Saturday was pretty feisty and they played a fast game. Our girls did a great job of keeping up and playing hard.
And we won!
Gotta love the victory tunnel. Win or lose there is always a victory tunnel and we cheer & congratulate the girls on a good game.
Another game done and then she collapses on the ground with a bottle of water and a donut.
