SC Classic Soccer Tournament

During the last weekend in September, Kaitlin & Breana had a soccer tournament here in Santa Cruz. The weather was gorgeous - clear sky and a warm sun with just a hint of cool air. The first day of the tournament the team tied their first game (0-0) and lost their second (1-5). They played tough. Soccer is definitely a different sport now - it's agressive - it's a contact sport. You won't see any girlie-girls on the field now-a-days, maybe off the field (especially at this age) but definitely not on the field.

The team left the field that day knowing what they needed to accomplish the next day to go onto the Consolation Round. Kaitlin went to bed with butterflies in her stomach. The next day of the tournament I was so thankful to live in this town.
That day our games were held at UCSC where we could see far off across the bay to Monterey. Crisp and clear.
Dan always calls Monterey Hawaii referring to a story I told him way back when I was a teenager.
I was a beach bum back then...now I'm just a plain bum :) ...hanging out at the beach when a little boy called out to his Dad, "Look I can see Hawaii from here!" as he was pointing to Monterey. My friends & I shreeked with laughter! Goodness, if that's Hawaii what was I doing in Santa Cruz!!! That's the way I thought back then. Now...sigh...another gorgeous day in Santa Cruz I say with a huge smile.

Their first game on this day was against another local team. A team Coached by my friends' husband and a team full of players we are fond of. It was a bit hard to have to get down & gritty but, hey, do you wanna get to the Consolation Round or not?!! The Jaws had to win this game and another team playing on the next field over had to lose theirs in order for the Consolation Round to be a reality. It was a chew-your-fingernails when you're not clenching-your-fist kind of game.

And they did it - with a beautiful corner kick by Kaitlin that delivered it at the goal via over the goalie's head right to a teammate for a header. GOAL!
1-0
That win gave them 6 points for a win, 1 point for a shutout and 1 point per goal = Baby, we're going to the Consolation Round! Woo-hoo!

2 hours later we were back on the field again.

0-3

The team fought hard, they prevented numerous goals and had a few attempts themselves. Before halftime the score was 0-0. They had a goal but it was called back.

They worked hard and brought home 4th place!

(Watching the Championship Game go into overtime - PKs are fun to watch). #12 is Kaitlin (#2 is also Kaitlin, but not our Kaitlin.)
And this is what our Champs look like after a weekend of hard playing, of pushing their bodies to the limit, of digging down deep to find that extra somethin-somethin and going for it. (minus 3 players)

(Kaitlin middle left, Breana bottom right and Dan upper right.)

We walked away from the field as the sun was setting beyond us. While Breana & I went straight home, Dan & Kaitlin went to go pick up dinner. It was a 'win' for all of us ;)

(last picture taken by Breana)