Soccer...Soccer...Soccer

Princess Strikers Get Outta Bed For This Game

Fall soccer season is in full swing. And now we are even more immersed. Mia is playing on her regular Friendship Rec Team, but she also joined an Academy team. We were going to eventually join a team like this, but really weren't planning on it Spring or next Fall. One of Mia's good friends from her class also played on a Friendship team at Metro Tulsa Soccer club. Her team broke up and some went to this academy team this season. Aftere talking to Amber, her Mom, we decided to go check out a practice one day just to see how different the team dynamic was. And also to see how Mia reacted to the coaching. The coaches on Academy are paid coaches who live and breathe the game. After just one practice we knew this was something that we wanted for Mia. We called a family meeting and discussed possibly joining the team this season. It was unanimous. The next day we were registering and ordering her uniforms.
Now we are practicing with our rec team on Tuesdays with games on Saturdays. Plus, practicing Monday and Thursdays with our academy team with two games on Sundays! So far Mia is having a great time and responding so well to the coaching. Troy and Coach Mike (who are the coaches for the rec tream) are enjoying some soccer from the sidelines now on Sundays!
Today was Mia's first game with the academy team. The whole team does not play both games every Saturday. So she just played game two today. She did AWESOME for her first game! In fact, she almost scored a goal in the first half! I thought she was going to fall over from the increased amount of running in the game. The fields are bigger, and they stay in a long time in between subs. We were so proud of her!
She is in full soccer mode, as I type this she and Troy are practicing out back.
This is going to be a really fun soccer season!
I didn't get any pics from today's games, as we were so engrossed in the action. I will try harder next week!

Mia @ 8am Princess Strikers Game

Fall Soccer 2010 Kick Off

Last weekend marked the kick off of the 2010 Fall Soccer season.
The Princess Strikers had a double game day their first Saturday of the season. Not always what one would want coming out of a Summer that offered few...ok...one practice day. Once the soccer season arrived, they only had a few practices leading up to game day. Needless to say, they may have not had the best two games. But hey, they can only get better from there, right?
This week, despite the early time slot of a brutal 8am game, they pulled off a tie. See! Only getting better!
And yes Coach Michael, it IS ok to bribe the girls with ice cream for good plays!
Let's go Princess Strikers!

Don't Hate!

This week is our Fantasy Football draft at work. I have a rule. I only agree to play each year if Favre agrees to play. No Favre, No Amba. The past few years have been a struggle to commit, but I'm here yet again! Obviously, I have already given away one of my top picks. If anyone dare draft my favorite QB, it is not going to be a fun year for anyone! :). Of course I have a couple Packers on my list as well...so don't hate me for still loving Favre! I know it's hard for all my Wisco friends and fam!



Should be a great time and a great start to all of our Fall events!
Bring it on! I'm ready for some cooler temps and cinnamon scents. Not to mention my favorite holiday ever, HALLOWEEN! I absolutely love it!

Princess Strikers Spring Season Ender

Princess Strikers U7 Spring 2010

Well, can you believe that Saturday was the last Spring game for the Princess Strikers? Geesh! It seems like just yesterday we were getting all revved up to start the season. Our little team has come so far! Starting out at U5 in Spring 2008 as a random draw team...we have one of the most well rounded team of girls imaginable! We have lost a player along the way and picked up new girls as well as our team has grown to the U7 level. All the girls get along so well and are REALLY improving with each and every practice and game. And I must mention that our coaches are pretty wonderful as well!

This week, they played a team who they played earlier in the season. Let's just say they might be a bit on the rough side. By that I mean that they might tend to play a little dirty. The last time The Princesses played them we had at least 3-4 girls on our team with minor injuries. Not to mention they were a bit shell shocked. Our girls have never played a team like that before. So when we realized that the girls were up against that team again for their last game of the season, our girls were pumped! It was a shock that they were not more intimidated, they were ready to dominate!

I will spare you the details. But there were a couple of conflicts again with the team. But that did not stop The Princesses! They played their best game EVER! What a way to end a season! With a very much deserved WIN!

Way to go girls! Can't wait to see you back on the fields this Fall!

Go Trojans!

Last Friday the Princess Strikers got to take the field at the Jenks Varsity Girls soccer game against Owasso. The had a GREAT time! First, one of the trainers came and met with all the girls and took them back to the locker room. While in the locker room, each Princess got paired up with one of the Lady Trojans. They got to learn their secret song (which we have been told they can never share with us) and also pray with them before they went out on the field. They each got to run out on the field and have their name announced over the PA system. The Lady Trojans play on the High School Football field. It was really cool! The girls were really proud and felt soooo special. We stayed for half of the game. The girls were all revved up cheering on the team and climbing all the bleachers! They all ended up in the press box with the announcers! As much as we wanted to stay and watch the awesome game, we felt it was time to go. The Trojans ended up winning 7-0, and we found out that Garth Brooks was there. His daughter plays for Owasso. I told Coach Mike that Garth was there and he said "I saw him by the concession stand! I thought to myself, Man, does that guy look like Garth Brooks!" Pretty funny! And pretty cool as well. We really appreciated the warm welcome these girls gave our team. They were awesome with our little Princesses! We fully intend on attending many more High School soccer games! We really hope it gives the girls a lot of inspiration! Go TROJANS!

Here are a couple of pictures and a video!

Coin Toss

Lining Up

Taking the Field

National Anthem

Mia and Her Lady Trojan Brooke

Into the game...for a second!

In the Press Box

Picture Day for the Princesses

Last weekend the Princess Strikers had one HECK of a game as well as their season pictures.

We love picture day. It always means a free Metro Tulsa T-shirt. I know. That sounds pretty lame. It's just something we like..leave us alone. :0)
The girls played their game in the morning. And a whippin' wind morning it was! Metro Tulsa Soccer Complex, although a really nice location for kids soccer, is one big wind tunnel! The weather may seem soooo gorgeous from our deck before the game. But it is a totally different story upon arrival at the fields. Regardless of the weather and/or wind, the game was spectacular! We won! (Even though we technically don't keep score, our coaches always know who's up, and so do the girls. That competitiveness comes at an early age I guess!
I brought my camera to the game since I am really trying to utilize the skills that I am picking up at my Digital SLR class. We just had a class on shutter speed priority. What better place to practice some action shots than a soccer game, eh? I ended up getting a couple really cute pics of the girls, including one of Mia setting up for the goal she made! Go Mia! She normally plays 3rd attack (defense). But Coach Mike put her on 1st attack for one shift. I was very proud of her as well as all the girls on the team. They are really starting to come out of the box. The games are just soooo enjoyable now. They were super cute in U5 when they first started. But it just keeps getting better!
Here are a couple of shots from the game:

On Friday, April 9th the girls will get to take part in something really cool. They have arranged for the girls to attend a Jenks Girls soccer game. The Princesses will be honorary guests and will be announced along with the Jenks players when they take the field at the beginning of the game. That is going to be soooo fun for them! At first when I mentioned it to Mia, she got a scared look on her face and said "I don't want to do that. They will beat us!" I don't think she understood that they won't actually be playing against eachother! After a little talk I think she gets it now. I hope. :0)

Spring Soccer Opener

Well, the 2010 Spring Soccer season is under way! Yesterday the Princess Strikers had their first pair up. They played against a new team in their league. Apparently half way through the game the ref was taken out of the game because the other team did not have their roster. So after half, the game was called a forfeit. I guess that is a win for us? After they called the game, we let the girls finish the last part of the game as a scrimmage. It was a gorgeous day for a socce game. Not so gorgeous for my sinuses though. Ugh!!! Anyway...we are all really excited that Spring is finally here! More to come!

Fall Soccer 2009

Well...The 2009 Fall Soccer Season is on! The girls have had three weekends of games so far. Last weekend we had two games! It had been busy, but we are having so much fun! This year they are playing U7, which means they added two players to our team AND move up to bigger fields. These fields ROCK! They have more room to actually run now! The girls are learning some positioning as well which has proven to be interesting as well as so much fun! The coolest thing is how well all these girls work together and get along. They are having so much fun and making great friends! It is fun for us parents too! :)
Here are some pictures from a couple of the games. Aren't they cute?!

Princess Strikers

We have had a rockin' week of soccer! Saturday we had a double header! Of course we don't keep score, but you know we can not help but tally in our heads. We did great both games, if you get my drift! Here are some shots from our afternoon game. I guess I could not get it together enough to bring my camera to the morning game!

Tuesday, instead of a practice, our team had a game. The team we were to play against this Saturday was all going to be out of town for Easter. So we set up a game for Tuesday instead. I hear we did quite well during that game as well. I was not there, as I was still in recovery mode from my little surgery. All went well in that department too! So we are good to go!

This Saturday we are supposed to have our rescheduled pictures for soccer. I will make sure to bring my camera so I can get a couple of shots of the girls for my own as well!

I am pretty happy with these shots I have already documented from this season. I really need to remember to bring the camera on a weekly basis so I can get some good action shots of all the girls. I get so sidetracked though sometimes trying to watch the game. I also take video as much as possible. I am determined to get some good goal shots on film. We have a few "stars" in the offense area! I love catching them in action. Mia is turning out to be more of a defensive player. We are trying to work with her on attacking the ball more. It is great to play defense, but there are times when she gets a bit scared of playing rough. She'll get it eventually! She is having a great time, so that is all that matters right now!

More soccer to come! The season has just begun!

Happy Easter in advance to you!

Miller Swim Meet 2009

Today was the Miller Swim Meet. Mia had a blast and so did we! Here is her picture with her ribbons that she won this year. She competed in the 'Beginner Stroke' and the 'Kickboard' races. She placed 'Third' in each race. What a great thing to build up a little swimmer's confidence! Way to go Mia!!