Alison Starts Soccer

Posted: May 3, 2009 
Filed under: Things to Do
Tagged: merrimack, merrimack youth soccer, mys, rising stars, soccer
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Alison’s foray into the world of youth soccer was not without its issues yesterday.  Things got off on the wrong foot right from the start due to no fault of her own.  The Merrimack Youth Association has decided to move the U6 kids from the fields at Reeds Ferry School to fields at the new middle school.  Not only do  you need a sherpa to get to the athletic fields, but the parking is an absolute nightmare.  It was a good 1/4 mile from our parking spot to the field and most of that was uphill.  She was a little tired right from the start.

She was having a great time with the drills right up until someone told her to go to the back of the line.  Queue tears.  She was back on the field in no time, only to be back in Daddy’s arms after someone else kicker her ball.  Once the drills were done, it was time for the game.  After the initial kickoff, Alison found herself with the ball and she was moving the ball down the field marvelously.  Unfortunately, it was the wrong direction.  A teammate stole the ball from her and started moving it back in the right direction, but it was obvious that she wasn’t too pleased.  A short time later she had a head to head collision with another kid and it was all over.  She was done, proclaimed she didn’t want to play soccer, “Ever Again!” and wanted to go home.  We made her wait until the game was over and then started the long trek down the hill.

We’ve talked over the whole experience with her and it became clearly obvious that her expectations were not in lock step with reality.  For one, she thought it was going to be just like the classes she took at Rising Stars; all drills.  Secondly, I think she expected that it was going to be easy and that she would dominate like her big sister.  She didn’t seem to realize that Madelyn’s first year was not as effortless as the last one appeared to be.

I’m optimistic that next week will be better, but she does have a birthday party to go to right before soccer.  With any luck we can keep her energized and positive and at the very least keep her on the field for the whole game.