Soccer

I play on a recreational soccer team. I know that most people are supposed to stop playing team sports after high school, but I need to exercise and playing on a team is definitely something to look forward to. I have played on the same team since 2001 and we have had mixed success. One time we won the regular season title and with the exception of last season, have always qualified for the playoffs.

Last season, we actually played well, but for some strange reason failed to win a single game. Some of the games were just bad luck. Almost all of the games were competitive and I believe we gave up 3 goals in two games, but otherwise held our opponents to two goals or fewer. We tied 3 games and lost five and never scored more than one goal in a game.

This season I am playing keeper for the first time as a full time option. I have played every position on the field over my playing career and am a comfortable field player. I filled in at keeper last season after our normal keeper was injured and subsequently retired. No one likes seeing anyone get injured in a recreational game. It is so sad when it happens.

So far this season, our team is playing great! Here is a recap of the season to date:

Game 1 (White)

This was a typical game to get all of the mistakes out of your system. Our team jumped out to a 1-0 lead. Played ball control really well in the first half. I misplayed a corner kick and the ball slipped into the net. Halftime score: 1-1.

Second half starts off well. We score about 10 minutes in and try to hold onto the lead as time expires. With 5 minutes left we still lead 2-1 but our team is tired and no longer winning balls in the midfield. Two times they break through our defense with two strikers and just me defending the goal and of course they score both times. Full time result: 3-2 loss.

I thought the team played well over all, but just ran out of gas.

Game 2 (Maroon)

Playing on a new field this week. Half the field was covered in grass and half in dirt. The field also sloped downhill toward the dirt. We chose to defend the dirt in the first half and take the downhill run in the second half.

We jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead on a pretty goal from one of our strikers that found the inside of the post. A few minutes later, I was tested for the first time with a point blank shot and made a decent reflex save. We score again on a pretty breakaway. Halftime score: 2-0 lead.

In the second half, we keep applying pressure. With about 15 mintues to play, the other team scores a nice goal on a looping header that just is out of my reach and sneeks inside the post. A hand ball in the penalty box leads to an insurance goal for the good guys and the full time result is a 3-1 victory. This is our first victory since last Spring. Like Sir Robin and his merry band of minstrels, there was much rejoicing.

On the bad side, one player on each team was injured during the game. One of their players had a collision with their own goalkeeper and knocked his head. He did not return to the game, but seemed OK afterward. One of our players turned an ankle in the second half and did not return to the game. Hopefully the three week break will allow him time to heal.

Game 3 (Yellow)

This team had a few very skilled players, but did not play team ball as well as we did. They were also one of the friendliest teams we have ever faced. Really good sports and no real sniping during the game.

We scored very quickly to open the game. They had a few good opportunities to even the match up. The best was a long ball that one of their strikers tried to direct toward the goal. I got a hand on it and slowed it down and deflected it enough to make the save. We added a penalty kick for a hand ball and had a nice 2-0 halftime lead.

In the second half, the yellow team made some adjustments and changed keepers. Their starting keeper moved to striker and within 5 minutes had a 0ne-on-one opportunity for goal. I cut down his angle and he tried to push it past me but it bounced off my shin and out of bounds. It was a pretty evenly played second half. I made about 4 saves and their goalie was actually lucky not to get scored on. Full time result: 2-0 victory.

We now have 6 points on two victories and one defeat. We have scored at least 2 goals in every game and have reduced our goals against average to 1.33. No injuries for either team in this game.

Wish us luck for next week.