On the road again...

Liverpool advanced to the round of 8 in the State Cup Tournament so we headed to San Bernardino once again this past weekend for the third and final weekend of the tournament.  I honestly can't say enough about this team.  They have the determination, focus and desire to win and be the best they can be at all times. They never lose sight of why they are on the field and that is to play as a team and win.  Something very special!

The girls played Saturday morning and won 1-0 in a well played game. This team plays the defensive game like no other. Saturday's game was the 10th straight game, with the exception of OT PK's, without giving up a goal. What an accomplishment in itself.  The win advanced the team to the round of 4, semifinals on Sunday. After strict orders from the coach, there was no swimming or goofing around on Saturday. Hang out with your teammates in the hotel, team dinner and bed. That's exactly what they did. They had a little excitement Saturday night when we all returned from team dinner to the smell of some serious marijuana smoking happening on the team floor.  Hopefully it helped the team sleep a little better. I kid, I kid.

Happy, happy girls after their win on Saturday!

I'm not sure we've ever seen Alyssa as nervous as she was for Sunday's game. The nerves started before bed on Saturday night and lasted into the morning. In the morning she did her usual pregame focus in the car, headphones on listening to music, looking out the car window and not saying a word. She did have to put a call into Bubba at 6:50 am for a little pregame talk. He gets her, she gets him. It's awesome.  

The team's striker was hit by the other teams goalie in the first 10 minutes of the game and was taken off the field.  Poor thing walked off the field with her arm hanging to her side.  She left the field and headed to the hospital.  She's one tough kid. Come to find she has a broken shoulder bone. A little shocking for the girls to see and shortly there after the other team scored their first goal. Liverpool battled back and scored after half-time. In the last two minutes of the game Liverpool committed a foul in the box. PK to the other team. Our amazing goalie actually saved it, but the center ref called goal. Game over! Even the tournament photographer said it didn't cross the line.  A really tough way to lose the game. Our girls outplayed their team, just didn't end in our favor. What I honestly think I will take away from this whole experience is what an amazing TEAM and group of families we experienced it with.  Not an easy task to play 3 weekends, 8 games and make it to the final four out of 86 teams.  These girls handled themselves with the utmost respect for other teams and themselves. They are true champions! Our team manager said it best, a state cup trophy can't replace the friendships and true teamwork these girls put in. At the end of the day this is what it is all about!

The procession prior to the games was so cool. All final 4 teams played at 8:00 am. At 8:00 am all teams on all fields lined up and walked out to the music playing in the background. Such a cool experience to witness. These girls will not forget this weekend for a long time.  Horrible video compliments of me.

After the game the girls went with their coaches. They asked that we give them a few minutes alone with them. The coach spoke to each girl one and one. As he finished they all returned to be with each other. The picture I took is of them sitting in a group as the next teams prepared for their game on the field. Rather than returning to their parents they retreated to each other. Finding comfort with each other. Needing time to reflect and support each other. That is truly the definition of a TEAM.

The girls eventually moved after the other team starting putting up their tent shade, but moved to a new location together. The parents stood off to the side and watched as they sat together and talked.  The coach said, "it's as if they think sitting together and talking will change the outcome." He couldn't have summed it up better.  As parents it was heartbreaking to watch the girls in disbelief and cry. You want to make it better, but you can't.  I'm glad they had each other to turn to. Their teammates they experienced this with.

The face of a little girl who played her heart out and truly left it all on the field for 3 weeks.  Sadness after the last game, but realized on the way home there really wasn't much more they could do. Top 4 is an amazing accomplishment!!! 82 other teams headed home before they did. We are all so very proud of you!!!