We woke up at 7:00 and got dressed in our uniforms before breakfast. We had eggs, bacon, bagels, and fruit for the pre-game meal. Soon after breakfast we all gathered in the living room with our bags packed and sunscreen on. We jammed out to music so we would be fired up and ready for the game. When we got to the fields we put our gear on and played ping (monkey in the middle) for 30 minutes before we started our warm up. Our warm up consisted of dynamic and static stretching, passing, possession, and crossing and finishing. Then it was game time. We were a little intimidated by the So Cal Blues because they were ranked first in the nation. When the ref blew the whistle our nerves died down and we started to relax and play our game. They got an early goal but that just motivated us more. We came out stronger and with more intensity which won us a goal scored by Madison Williams off of her hard work to tie the game. When we came out in the second half we had more energy and intensity then before but we were unable to finish opportunities. The regulation ended in a tie so we had to go into a 20 minute (10 minute halves) overtime. We came out hard but both were really tired making it harder for anyone to score. It remained tied throughout overtime, putting each team into a penalty shootout. In between overtime and the penalty shootout the nerves were racing in each player. Luis made a list of the player who would be taking the penalty kick. The list consisted of Kenady Adams, Sophie Smith, Riley Dietrich, Jaelin Howell, and Madison Williams. So Cal Blues was up first. There was nothing Monique Roche could do to stop the penalty kick as it went in. Kenady was up first for our team. Like the other girl for So Cal Blues it was unstoppable. The next player on the Blues sailed it to the right of the goal putting us in the lead. Next Sophie made her PK keeping our lead. The next girl for the other team shot her PK and made it. Then Riley was up. She shot her PK with confidence causing her to make it. Once again keeping our lead. Another one of their players made her PK. Jaelin was up to take her PK. Once again she shot an unstoppable ball into the back of the net. Everyone knew that if Monique saved the next shot we would win. All the pressure was on Monique. The So Cal Blue player shot a hard driven ball to the corner causing Monique to make an amazing diving save, winning us the game! As soon as she got up everyone including the U18 girls team started screaming and ran to Monique happily. Everyone was hugging each other and crying tears of joy. After we finished celebrating we took a group picture in celebration of the two great wins and the two Arsenal Colorado finalists. When we made it back to the house we each took ice baths to prepare for the championship game. After ice baths we all relaxed and some even took short naps. The people that were awake watched 20 minutes of Safe Haven. When people woke up from their naps we all went to the Dad’s house for dinner with the U18 team. At the Dad’s we ate pasta, salad, chicken, and gatorade. We all talked with Jamie, Luis, Dave, and Luis. Some girls even got pushed into the pool. After everyone was ready to leave we came back to the house. At the house we got our scouting report from Jamie and Kris. After the report we all went upstairs to finish watching Safe Haven. Then we went to bed.
Haley Rockwell, Riley Dietrich, Esther Mahler U13 GG
Fort Collins Soccer Club / Arsenal Colorado 