The All-Stars proved over the tournament weekend that they were the best U8 recreational team in Boone County. After losing the first game in the tournament, the All-Stars regrouped and won the next 2 games to get into the championship round to face the only team that it had lost to all season. It was going to be a difficult game giving that their opponent was an older and more experienced team, but the coaches and the parents pushed the All-Stars to play to their best ability and keep playing hard.
For those that saw the game, they would probably agree with me that it was one of the most intense games you would see at this level. The All-Stars gave everything they had and came away with a 1-0 victory to win the championship. It was a great game and I couldn't be more proud of the girls.
Our opponent, the Knockouts, were expecting a win, but the All-Stars would not give in and shut-out the high-powered team. It was one of the loudest recreational games I have ever been involved in as the parents and families cheered every member of the All-Stars. The lone goal of the game came from Courtney. She was about 20 yards out and sent it high over the goalkeeper who had no chance of stopping it.
Most coaches would say the defense did the rest when you shut-out a team but the midfielders and the offense helped out a lot as they controled the ball much of the time so the knockouts were chasing the ball all over the field, thus it wore them out.
Our final record for the season was 9-2. That is awesome given the fact that we lost 5 players from last year. The new girls stepped in and did a great job while the older girls improved on their already good soccer skills.
I would like to say that the All-Stars have 4 of the best goalies at this age. We don't practice goalkeeping too much at this age but when we move up to U10 they will be taught more of the goalkeeping skills that they will need to know if they want to play that position at the older ages.
What a season and what a tournament! I want to thank the girls for their hard work and dedication, and I want to thank the families for their support. Seasons like these don't just happen. I also want to thank Ashley, Kevin, and Mark, they volunteer their time so OUR girls can play their BEST!
