Back on the Pitch....

Well, it was back to the soccer fields for us on Saturday. Sorry, I didn't help anyone's soccer referee fantasy team. Didn't even get to hand out one card. Had 2 games cancelled, which is sad most times, but this time it wasn't because in South Dakota Soccer, you get paid if you are scheduled for a game, and you show up and it gets cancelled. So that was a good deal. Still got to watch some kids play soccer, in the 12 and under division. These kids are fun to watch. Just as halftime ended and the second half was ready to begin, one of the kids comes out to the center of the field where I was standing and says, "Guess what. Our coach said if we come back and win, she will take us all out to Dairy Queen! We're not behind by much right?" I told him it was 4-0, and that did not even dampen his spirit. I also said, "Just remember, you can still come back. All you can do is go out and play hard and do your best, because that's what really matters." He was still so motivated by the small chance they could get to Dairy Queen, no other motivation was needed. That became the rally cry. "Do it for DQ!" They ran like crazy, passed well. The goal keeper did everything he could. Fully extending on dives for saves, leaping higher than he'd ever jumped before to make the save, taking shots off the chest, head, and face. He defended with all his might, but it just wasn't enough. As the second half wore on, and the goals for the other team kept mounting, you could see hope sliding away. Dairy Queen would have to wait for another day, as the team fell 8-0. I will give the kids credit though, they kept on trying even down by 8, and after the game it was a pleasure to shake their hands (which is apparently a soccer tradition that I HATE, except for this time). It was nice to tell these 12 year old boys they had done a great thing by keeping on playing until the time was up. Props to the U-12 team from De Smet for their effort.