Fall Soccer - U10 Thunder and U6 Blue Dinosaurs

Fall soccer season brought Davey's first time playing and Sophie leveling up to the U10 division. 

Dave decided to take a break from coaching Sophie after 3 seasons to help Davey's team instead. This was his first experience coaching U6 and the boys seemed so young compared to Sophie's age group. It was a bit like herding cats most of the time (which made it really helpful that Dave could actually be on the field with them during the game) but over the season they all gained skills and ended better than they began. Go Blue Dinosaurs!

Miles (a Charlie look alike!), Christian, Noah, Davey, Ian and Coach Dave

Grandparents were able to come out to see one of his games

His main motivator was the snacks

Sophie moving up to U10 meant a lot of changes - larger field, twice as many players, goalies, offsides and co-ed! She also played her first season apart from Emery. Since Dave was no longer coaching he couldn't draft her and they ended up separated. It was hard for Sophie, but she settled into her team well enough and had a great season despite being on the younger end and a girl. In fact, the Thunder ended up taking 1st place in the division!!

Back Row: Girl, Sophie, Chisum, Girl, Colton, Nolan

Front Row: Lorelai, Bowen, Ava, Mason, Jude

On separate teams, but they still found each other whenever their games overlapped

Another 1st place trophy for her collection - up to three now!

Props to the little brothers who have to find a way to entertain themselves during all the evenings spent at the fields for practices and games

Video: Fall 2021 Sports Clips

Narwhals U8 Soccer Season

The was Dave's third season coaching and Sophie's last time playing in the U8 division before she ages up in the fall. After back to back championships, Sophie had her heart set on winning another trophy, but it was not in the cards this time. The Narwhals were young and inexperienced, but had great hearts and never gave up. Four of the girls had never even played soccer before, but all learned and improved so much over the season. They won some, lost some, and ended up taking 3rd place in the tournament, which was awesome!

Left to Right: Braelynn, Sophie, Sidney, Emery, Hannah, and Hadlee

We had lots of cold games this year and at the first one the girls were not prepared so I gathered up what I could from the car to share. Braelynn has Sophie's gloves and Davey's hat, Emery has Davey's coat and Sophie's ear warmer, and Hadlee has Charlie's hat!

Trying to stay warm at half time

Sophie took full advantage of her last season with no goalie and scored a few times every game

Outrunning everyone on the field to get to the ball

Sophie always does a great job keeping the ball inbounds and getting it back up to her team instead of letting it just roll out

Sophie's defense improved a lot this season, and she learned to appreciate that stopping an opponent's goal is just as good as scoring one of your own

This cute little bear did not love soccer. He was too old to want to just sit on my lap or a blanket and watch, but not able to walk around and wander. Instead he would just squirm and whine, wanting constant food or entertainment to stay happy.

All bundled up for a chilly morning game

Last season that Davey will just be a spectator. Next year he gets to join a U6 team!

The Narwhals with their 3rd place medals - great job girls!

 Video clips from Sophie's season as a U8 Narwhal

Clovers U8 Soccer Season

Fall brought another season of soccer for our family. Dave is once again coaching and Emery, Sophie's best friend is also on the team. She worked so hard this season has grown a lot over the last few years. We used to have to bribe her with ice cream to get her to play and now she runs out there and scores multiple goals each game. There is so much happiness in watching your child succeed at something that used to be a challenge!

The Clovers won all six of their regular season games and also came out of the tournament as champions. What a great season! There was one game they almost lost, however, because Sophie left her equipment bag at home with her water, shoes, socks, and shin guards. It would have taken me 40 minutes to go home to pick it up, but I was able to call a friend and get some stuff to borrow. Unfortunately, the shoes were a half size smaller than what she currently wears, and she felt they were too tight and refused to put them on. 

She spent the first half of the game moping barefoot on the sidelines while her team fell behind. At half time I went to have a talk with her and asked if she was really going to let her team lose because her shoes were a bit too tight. She agreed to try, and then went out and dominated the field and the Clovers came back to win. Afterward she wore the shoes (that made her cry before) all the way home without realizing they were still on. Silly girl!!

The Clovers U8 Team - Landri, Chloe, Aubri, Leah, Emery, Sophie and Coach Dave

Sophie is lightning fast on the field!

Emery going for the ball

Look how the grass goes from green to completely yellow by the end of the season. Amarillo (yellow in Spanish) is a very fitting name for where we live.

These brothers did a great job cheering Sophie on. Meanwhile Davey spent most games wandering around complaining about being hungry or bored. His turn to play comes next year.

It's no secret that the real reason they love game day is the treats :)

Sadly one of our girls had covid and was not able to finish the season with us, but they still ended as Fall 2020 undefeated champions! 

One more trophy for her shelf!

Clovers 2020 Season Highlights

Fall Soccer 2019 - Shooting Stars & Little Kickers

SOPHIE AND THE SHOOTING STARS: This was Sophie's best season of soccer so far! She has become a great defender, but also scores a goal or two each game. It's been fun to see her really get into the game, where she used to just dance around on the periphery, unsure of what to do. 

This season was also different because Dave was her coach! Even though he has no soccer experience, he has the time and the patience to work with a team of 6 year old girls and they had a great season - winning or tying every game! They also did well in the tournament at the end of the season. We were traveling for the final game and Dave had to have a sub coach for the champion ship game, but the girls came through and won in overtime!!

Left to Right: Dave, Claire, Harper, Emery, Ali, Grace, Eden and Sophie

DAVEY AND LITTLE KICKERS: This was Davey's first season trying soccer. He has been dying to wear soccer shoes and get a turn on the field ever since Sophie started a few seasons ago. For his age group there were no actual teams or games, but each Saturday he had a guided practice and then a short scrimmage with other boys his age. 

His best buddy Jaxon is AMAZING at soccer and outruns everyone on the field. As a result, Davey quickly learned that he could only get the ball if he took the ball down the field the wrong direction to score on the other team's goal or Jaxon would take it. Good thing they don't keep score at this age!

Charlie was a sideline supporter this year. He loves to be outside, so he thought all the games and practices were great. He clapped and cheered whenever someone scored, even if it was the other team. He also didn't try to run onto the field repeatedly, like Davey used to do at this age. 

Watching the big girls play with his little friend Rossi

Grandmari & Paco Visit Amarillo

Our fun didn't end in Albuquerque because my parents followed us back to Amarillo! We ate at the big Texan, watched Sophie's play soccer, hiked in Palo Duro, had ice cream and more! My dad also completed all our back log house projects, while my mom helped me with some decorating troubles I'd been having. We need them to visit more often!!

First time at the Big Texan for Grandmari & Paco

We had lunch with Sophie at school (it was pajama day)

Davey helping Paco take out a tree in our backyard that was crowding out the others around it. Paco also unclogged a drain, fixed a sink that always backs up, repaired and stained our playhouse, and hung hooks in the laundry room. 

Grandmari read lots of books with the kids and made several trips to Hobby Lobby and other stores with me to help us finally get our shelves decorated. They had been sitting empty since last Christmas and look so much better now!

Ice cream treats at Braums

A digger came during their visit to repair our back alley. Paco took the boys out to watch it work.

We did two hikes in Palo Duro - one through the little cave, and one on the Kiowa trail. It was a tight fit for Paco and Charlie in the backpack, but we all made it through!

Sophie was thrilled to have Grandmari and Paco here for TWO of her soccer games. She played great and our team won a game, and tied a game.