MRL Weekend in Kansas

Soccer Soccer Soccer

Here are a few pictures of our soccer weekend in Overland Park, KS.

(Reagan in white.)

I love the stretch through the legs to steal the ball

Header while being pushed in the back.

I don't like to have negative comments about student athletes but this picture is one TINY example of the overly physical game the girls endured against the Michigan Jaguars. By the end of the game we had Maddie with a black eye, Reagan with a huge turf burn, Grace with a possible concussion, Lexi had been thrown around like a rag doll and several girls who had been flat out pushed around. Needless to say the ref needed some glasses. ;)

Reagan said, "I didn't know my leg could go that high!"

 EGA lost to Michigan Jaguars in the first game of the weekend, 1-0. So disappointing for them, as they know they can defeat this team. Our league is called the Midwest Regional League (MRL). As we go through the season, we earn 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie and 0 points for a loss. At the end of the season our point total is part of the determining factors to advance to the Regional Tournament in Colorado. This loss could end up being a bad deal for the team.

Game #2 of the weekend came the following morning against the National Champions, the Michigan Hawks. They beat us in the fall 2-1 so we knew we could compete with this powerhouse soccer team. The girls fought a tough battle for 70 minutes on the field and finished with a 1-1 tie. I am so proud of them. Now we need to win the rest of our games and for them to loose a league game this spring to help us reach the top spot of the region.

Reagan in black and gray stripes

I included this picture to show the organized chaos that occurs during a soccer game. Look at all these athletes in the box during a corner kick, there are bodies and legs going everywhere. It's a wonder there aren't more injuries.

Reagan's soccer team is full of incredibly talented little soccer players. These girls are smart, driven young ladies. Most of them have big plans for the future whether soccer continues for them or not. Watching 18 girls come together for a common purpose, knowing there is sacrifice and hard work required to reach the goal is a cool thing. Good job girls!

Gotta give a shout out to Uncle Rodger, Aunt Laura and Uncle John for making it down to the soccer fields to support their niece. It's so wonderful to have family and friends in so many of the locations Reags plays in. I can't wait to see my friend Marcy in Colorado. Yes, I'm praying the girls will play well enough to make it there.