Liam's team has had quite a run this season, but the season came to a close Saturday afternoon. As most of you know, they made it to the state tournament. Something like 40 teams qualified for the tournament. They had one game last week, then up to 4 games this weekend.

I still can't understand why last week's team didn't show for the game. That's a little crazy. To qualify then not show up. I'm thinking the coach got the game time wrong. Oh man he must be getting some kind of hate form the parents on that squad! I am glad I'm not in his shoes!

In any case, Liam's team made it to week two. You'll also recall that right before the forfeit game Liam sprained his ankle. He was so thrilled when they won; thinking that for sure he'd be healed by the time the next weekend came around. I'll save the suspense. It wasn't. When Saturday came he was still wrapped up. He was off his crutches, but was limping noticeably. He was so sad.

But if he was sad the rest of his team was crushed. They were sure they'd have him back. And they're no dummies. They know who the top players are. And when they found out he wasn't going to be able to go there were some long faces.

The sad faces were nicely matched by the weather. The weekend dawned cold and rainy. Essentially the worst possible weather. I actually prefer 28 and snow to 37 and rain. But no, I got the latter. It's sometimes worth it to sit in that weather and see your child do well. But when your son isn't even playing? That's no fun!

And yet there we were. Liam cheering on his team, me just taking up space, on a cold and windy Saturday.

Their first game was at 11:45. We got there about 11:35. Plenty of time! I got a parking space in front of the field they played at the previous week and sat and waited. When I didn't see them I called the coach's wife to ask if we were on the right field. No answer. I started to convince myself that game time was 12:45, and that I had gotten us there early for warm-up time. But then that didn't work either as there were no other kids from Liam's team warming up. Hmmm. I called the coach's wife again - and this time I got an answer. Yup - it is 11:45. But a different field. Damn! Well at least Liam wasn't playing! He would have killed me.

We finally got there towards the end of the 3rd period. There was no score. So I stood in the rain and watched as Liam tried to motivate his team. The 4th period started, and while his team had some great chances they couldn't convert them. And so the game ended in a 0-0 tie. But of course it didn't *end* like that. It couldn't. Someone had to go on. So they went on to penalty shots.

They grabbed 5 kids from each team and each of them, alternating by team, got a chance to convert a penalty kick. Our first one missed high. Then theirs missed too. Our next one missed, but they scored. 0-1. We both missed on the next round. The 4th round we scored and they didn't. 1-1. The 5th and final round we missed, and then our goalie made an amazing stop on a great shot. So we again tied, 1-1.

But of course it can't end on that. So they got the next 3 players from each team (they only play with 9 on the field, and they take all of the non-goalie player into penalty kicks, so that leaves 8, which they split up 5 and 3). So they get the next 3 and try it again. And again we get behind, but again pull even (but not ahead). So once more it ends 1-1. And the game isn't over yet.

So we go to a third round of kicks, with the original 5 players. This time we got off to the fast start. We got up 1-0. Then two misses. And then 2-1 in round 3. From there neither team scored and we won! Oh joy! So now I can't go home and instead have to come back for another 90 minutes in the rain. Lovely. On the other hand the kids were ecstatic, and it's impossible to be grumpy in that situation.

So Liam and I ran off to get some lunch. As we walked in to Wendy's I noticed my blue jeans. They were a nice pale blue in front, and a lovely dark blue in the back. Now I didn’t recall buying them two-toned. So I looked again and realized that the entire back on my pants were soaking wet. Ugh. Not comfortable. At this point I vowed to take a nice long bath when I got home. I told Liam and he looked at me incredulously. At his age baths are still a form of punishment for having too much fun. So he can't imagine someone taking one of purpose. But I was already picturing it. I finally smiled.

We got our lunch and got back to the fields. Liam had only brought a light jacket, and I happened to have an extra in the car, so I gave it to him to wear. And as chance would have it the jacket he got was my old HS letter jacket! The one with State Champs written across the front. He looked at it and thought it was a good sign. Several of his teammates commented on it. Liam told them that his dad's team won their state championship. "In soccer?" they asked. You could see them picturing me as a 9 year old dribbling up the field! Too funny. No, Liam said, some kind of running. Oh well, I guess my 25 year old exploits have somehow failed to impress the next generation.

Liam's team was now in the top 8 in the state. Pretty impressive, especially since they were missing their #2 player and best defender. They started the next game, and early on in the 1st period got behind one goal. I could see Liam seethe. I knew he was thinking that if he had been in they wouldn't have scored. And he was probably right! But he wasn't in, and they did score.

The rest of the game was a slug-fest. A few opportunities on both side, but no more goals. Eventually they lost 1-0. There were sad faces, and some tears (including Liam), but the parents were thrilled. And not just because they didn't have to come back to these cursed field the next day! They were amazed that there little boys had gone so far and done so well. There was a lot of pride there, even in a loss.

And I am certain they'll be back next year. All I have to do is keep Liam healthy! Wish me luck!