2nd Place Overall!!! Feels like 1st!!

 

I could not be more proud of these kids!  After losing every game this season (and last) they went to the Halloween Classic tournament not expecting to do much better.  We had hopes that they could at least win one game.  Turns out...THEY WERE UNDEFEATED!!! 

 

They won their first game of the tournament 2-1.  Tied their second game. Won their third game 5-0 and tied their final game against the best team in their bracket.  Jayke played outstanding defense and prevented the final shot on goal by the oposing team from going in allowing them to tie.  They got second place in the tournament overall.  It felt like we won the whole thing though.  The kids were super excited but I think the parents and coach were more.  I can't even describe the difference in how they played this weekend from how they were in the regular season.  I was beyond impressed with Jaykeb's play.  He didn't score any goals but he had several assists and his work on defense was a definate key to their outcome.  Finally, all the hard work paid off for these kids!

 

They were given trophies for participation and when the coach passed them out he stopped to recognize Jaykeb and Mason.  They were the only two he recognized.  He said they were great players individually but together they were his "Dynamic Duo".  These two played defense most of the tournament and watching them was amazing.  They work so well together.  I think it helps that they are best friends off the field as well as on.  I often could hear them yelling to each other where to be. 

 

This tournament made up our minds for us that we will be staying with this soccer club for a while longer.  Bob even agreed to keep Mason there.  We can't break up the Dynamic Duo!  The team we beat 5-0 is the one that is trying to recruit Jayke and Mason.  There was a lot of emphasis put on this game for our team to win.  I think part of it was to keep Jayke and Mason there.  My friend who is on the board told me there has been a lot of discussion about keeping us.  They have even offered to hire Bobby to build a new website for the team.  LOL~  We are staying, not because of that but because of the friendships we have formed and because I don't want to give up on this team just when they are starting to come together.

 

 

After their first win all the parents stood on the side line to high five the kids.  We saw how excited they were and thought they were running to us to celebrate a win.  Turns out they were running to ME to show me that Mason had knocked out Jayke's tooth!  Both Mason and Jayke were standing there with blood all over their teeth.  Apparently Mason had gotten hit in the mouth during the game.  He didn't lose any teeth though.  The Dynamic Duo even BLEED together!  LOL~

 

 

 

Mason, Chase, and Jayke

 

 

 

Aidan and Jayke at the hotel after game 1

 

 

We spent the weekend in Fishers, staying at a hotel along with some of the other parents. Many of us got together for meals and other activities, including:

 

 

 

A pizza party at a local pizza restaurant which most of the team made it to.  A trip to Dave & Buster's followed that.

 

Jayke, Aidan, and Gabby

 

Swimming at the hotel later that evening after all the games were finished for the day. Dinner out with some of the team that night and a HUGE pillow fight in the hotel room (MY HOTEL ROOM). The next day there were more games and more celebrating. When the tournament was finally done some of us had to get together for one more meal at Famous Dave's BBQ.

 

Gabby, Mason, Aidan, Alec, and Jayke

It was a GREAT weekend.  Fun was had by all and we can't wait for Spring when we get to do it all over again!