1st Soccer Game of the Season

Evan started his second year of soccer this past weekend.  On Friday night, he and his team had their first practice, and their first game was on Saturday morning.  Now, I love being a soccer mom, but seriously, do the games have to start so freaking early on a Saturday?  This mama needs her rest people!  We were up and at the field by 8:30 for team pictures and then our game at 9:00.  Last year, I wasn't sure if soccer would really be Evan's sport.  He just acted so timid and wouldn't get in there and "fight" for the ball.  Let me tell you, this year was like a complete 180 turn around.  He looked like an ol' pro out there as he scored the first goal of the game and two more awesome goals after that and really worked to help his teammates also score.  His team scored a total of 8 goals together.  One thing I am especially proud of is that Evan knows that he is playing for his team and not just for himself.  He cheers and encourages his teammates, and when he speaks of his goals, he says he "scored a goal for HIS TEAM."  I felt really sorry for some of the players on the opposite team because they had a particularly bratty kid on their team that kept saying mean things to his teammates like "you know I'm the star of this team, right?"  Who are this kid's parents and what is wrong with them?  He is going to have a very rude awakening one day with that "entitled" way of thinking!  Seriously, it amazes me that kids this age can even act like that, but I know that it is a product of their parental influence.

Doing soccer drills at practice.

He is so focused when he is playing or practicing. 

They had to go through all the cones and count how many times during a timed exercise.  All the other kids were being silly and saying they did an unrealistically high number and not really keeping count while my baby carefully counted each time and honestly stated his result.  He didn't miss any cones either.  I just love that my boy doesn't even know how to lie even as a joke!  

Brody enjoys a snack at big brother's practice.  In a few years, he'll be out there playing too. 

Posing for his soccer picture. 

And his team.  Evan chose the name so, of course, they are the Panthers again.  

So little brother wore his Panther shirt to support him.

This is our buddy Hank's first year.  Evan played with his big brother last year. 

Evan gets out there and immediately shows them how the game is played.  

I loved how determined he was.  He looked like a professional.

Practicing driving the ball to the goal and scoring. 

Does this move not look like a professional?  

And what a big kick!  Seriously, I would have fallen on my butt if I had tried this. 

And the game begins.

Kicking off to his team. 

And he drove the ball all the way to his goal.   The ball went in...this was his first goal!

Evan helps his teammate, Owen, keep control of the ball.

To the goal again.

And again, he leads the charge to the goal. 

It gets past the opponent and it's good!  Goal #2!

Waiting for his teammates to get some water.

Evan works to help his teammate and keep the purple team from taking the ball.  He and this kid (yes, he is THAT kid) went head-to-head a lot, and Evan didn't back down!

Looks like he was playing goalie, but he wasn't.  They don't have goalies in U6. 

And there he goes again to the goal. 

What a kick!  It was in the air!  Goal #3!

Reid, a friend from t-ball, prepares to kick off. 

Evan and #4 go head-to-head again.   It think this was the one that would have been another goal but went slightly on the outside of the goal out of bounds.  He did great considering his opponent was right there the whole time. 

And again. 

And again.  Ha!

I just love the show of good sportsmanship of giving high fives to the opposing team. 

And the team cheer!

Go Panthers!

He was so funny here trying to hold his water bottle and his snacks.  Silly kid!

And, of course, a Pinkberry treat for a good game and an awesome week at school for getting  recognition for having great character!

Yay for a cool treat!