Lacy Boyd (11) goes in for a goal during the passing drill at the beginning of practice. Photo by Ashley Pajor.
I must say that after one practice with the varsity girls’ soccer team, I understand the importance of cleats. These champions of the feet are the most indispensable tool of athletes today, but I suppose you are not here to read about my new-found admiration of sports footwear. So let me refrain from boring you further and allow you to entertain yourselves with my adventures 0n the soccer field.
Setting up a time to practice with the girls’ soccer team was a surprisingly difficult ordeal. After playing a bit of email tag for a couple of weeks, I had finally set up with coach Stephanie Carpenter that I would go to junior varsity’s final practice of the season, which was canceled at the last minute due to reasons I confess I do not know. But I was finally able to go to practice. On the day before the girls’ first playoff game no less.
We started practice with something that has become synonymous with these practices for me: running. This time it as just a quick jog around the soccer fields before starting some drills. I didn’t exert myself too much in anticipation of what might be waiting for me later in practice. First we played an actual game of soccer with half the field, during
Michael goes in for a pass to one of his teammates during the passing drill at girls’ soccer practice. Photo by Ashley Pajor.
which the team was supposed to practice passing and talking to each other. I played forward and am proud to say that I touched the ball a couple of times, which was quite a pleasant surprise. But this was when I had my little epiphany about cleats. Whenever I would run after the ball I had to slow way down and turn 180 degrees. If I even attempted
to stop suddenly, I would inevitably slip on the grass and the possibility for cool photos quickly diminished. My old, yet comfortable, Merrells were not created to play soccer in. I did, however, have several shots on goal, attempted to recover the ball from my opponents on multiple occasions and had a nice opportunity to see how great these girls are at their sport. They dart back and forth, kick the ball with amazing speed and agility and have aim that I couldn’t even dream of in my wildest dreams.
After that we did some kicking drills with both our left and right feet. I made it in the goal almost every time (excepting once from far back with my left foot, which doesn’t matter in my mind). Granted, the goalie stopped them all and they weren’t very well placed, but as a first-timer I was proud. I was especially glad that during one of our later drills the ball made it within the goal, not above it, as that would have resulted in wholly unnecessary sit ups, which wasn’t something I was exactly planning on doing.
The remainder of practice was mostly taken up by some 1-on-1 drills, during which we practiced offensive and defensive moves. I had a ton of fun during this part and did relatively well. I got cheers when I ran straight at my opposition, who had the ball, and kicked it straight up into her. But she got me back by whooping my butt the next several times we met up.
All in all, soccer was a very enjoyable experience. It was hard work, but it was also fun to try and the girls and Coach Carpenter were really helpful. They gave me pointers and at least tried to be friendly, even when I did something stupid like smack the ball into their leg when trying to pass to a completely different teammate. Twice. (Sorry about that.)
By the end of practice, I had decided that, though I loved the other sports I played this year, soccer takes the cake as the most fun practice.