Victory!!!!

It was a dark and stormy night...
No wait... wrong story. Ok it was a California chilly morning. The sun was casting its rays upon the field of battle where powerful forces would soon collide to decide the difference between victory and defeat.
In other words... Soccer. The game was at 10:00 this morning and the Sharks had their full team present and ready for action. They changed up their usual practice and did some drills where they played offense and defense against each other. Gone were the kids who look at the birds... these kids were swarming defenders and aggressive goal scoring machines.
Gametime...
(Image blurring.. thinking back) The Dragons were the first team that we were to play... that day they outscored us 7-0. (Image returning... to the present)

The Dragons set up to start the game. They had their wingers spread out and were in a 3-1-1 formation (only 5 kids on the field at a time). The sharks were two groups of huddled kids.. 3 up front and 2 in the back.

The Dragons came out kicking and started to move the ball to the Sharks end. Now this is where the comment on the practice becomes significant, because our team charged the ball and repelled attack after attack.
As the game wore on (about 5 minutes later), the Sharks pushed the Dragons back, by a great defensive clear by Boy Z. He took a tumble and a foot to the head, but got right back up!! After the throw in, BoyZ got the ball to Ry who broke free!! Score Sharks!!
Later in the game..
A dragon 1-1 ended up in a score for them tying the game. The Sharks, however, would not go quietly into the mid morning this time. Pressing attack after attack, the Sharks controlled the ball for most of the game. There were a few close shots taken by O and J, but both wide of the target. With about 5 minutes left in the game, out of the scrum came the ball and Ry!! Cruising ahead of the defenders, he shoots, he SCORES!!!
The Sharks kept up the tempo and at the whistle, the Sharks defeated the Dragons 2-1 for their first victory of the year!! (but who's counting).
The boys played with gusto, confidence and fervor.
It's so great to see when learning and fun start to sink in....
Especially if you're a slightly sometimes competitive Dad...

Signing off and still flying high!!
~~DaddyMan