We are the Champions, My Friend

C's team went to the annual Bluegrass Games. It's a HUGE tournament for all kinds of sports and the winners are considered state champs.

This was C's first time playing in Bluegrass with the Rowdies (who took 3rd place last year in a division where they played up an age group). So we were curious where they'd end up this year.

The first game they won handily 6-1. C was pretty bored most of the game. The second game was a little harder for the team. They won 2-1.

Winning both games gave us the chance to play for medals. So the first game (which determines who plays in the gold medal game and who plays in the bronze medal game) was a fight. C was busy almost the entire game but kept the other team from scoring. We won 2-0. On to the gold medal game.

It was a tough game for the girls. They were tired (this was their 4th game in a little more than 24 hours) and the other team (who was also from NKUnited our soccer club) was tough. Both goalies were busy and C managed to keep them out of the goal the entire first half. She even had help from one of our players when she ran to get a ball and it got by her. We scored making it 1-0. Then in the second half they scored on a pretty shot. Tied 1-1. It stayed tight the entire half. There is no overtime in Bluegrass, only shootouts. (Have I already mentioned somewhere in this blog how I hate shootouts???) Suddenly in the last minute of the game one of our girls takes the ball down the sideline - right in front of us parents. She crosses it in front of the goal where one of our girls head-balls the ball into the net. GGGGGOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLL! Thirty seconds later (no exaggeration) the ref blew the whistle. The girls had done it and won GOLD!!

We all screamed like little kids and a few tears were shed as well. The coaches all got some kind of cold water dousing from the kids' water bottles. What a moment. It was awesome. As much as I hate close games, this was one for the ages. What a way to end the weekend!!