Fall Soccer

Blue Dolphin #6, Mary.

Today was Mary's very first soccer game in California!  Soccer in Irvine is lots of FUN for the kids and the parents.  At the very first practice, the girls received their blue uniforms and voted on their team name.  Despite Mary's nomination of the Saints, the team voted to call themselves the Blue Dolphins.  This is Coach Jeff's first season coaching, but he certainly does a wonderful job with these girls.  He has something positive to say to each girl at each practice!

Soccer in Irvine is incredibly organized.  We have a Team Mom, Hannah.  Not only did she organize snacks for each game well before the first game as well as a gift for the coach to be presented at the end of the season, but she also made beautiful matching hair bows for each girl.  The Blue Dolphins were certainly one well-outfitted team! The coach's wife made a team banner to display at all of the games and even brought a canopy to shade the players and parents! 

I was pretty occupied during the game keeping two little
ones off the field, but I was able to capture one action photo!

I was a little concerned about playtime when I heard that soccer in Irvine is really competitive.  But, Coach Jeff ensured that each player got equal playtime.  There are eight players on the team and six players on the field at a time, so each player played three quarters and rested one.  (This was also planned out ahead of time.)  Each player also played a different position each quarter: forward, midfield and back (also planned out ahead of time).

Amy and Mary.  Amy is from Korea here on
vacation for two months.  She LOVES soccer!

All of the games are played on Saturday mornings at a local elementary school.  The location is great because there is a humungous playground right next to the fields, perfect for siblings who are too young to play soccer!  All the girls on Mary's team played their best and each girl scored at least one goal, Mary included!  Go Dolphins, go!

Maggie wore one of Mary's old uniforms.

This is the awesome banner that Coach Jeff's wife, Kim, made for the team!