What a big game today: Dover vs. Rochester, in Rochester.  The weather was overcast, cool, windy.  It was the second to last game of the Fall soccer season.

It’s been a challenging two months, filled with a few ups, but mostly lots of downs from a Won-Loss point of view.  Several close games, but zero wins.

It’s been amazing watching your progress.  This year you kicked it (pun!) into a whole other gear.  Nine and a half years old is a lot different from six or seven.  You used to try, but now you’re really trying hard.

Your Dad has really helped you, teaching some of the nuances of soccer, having played the game in high school and after that in a recreational league.  He’s still got the quickness and moves. This year you really listened and took his advice to heart.

For most of your soccer career (as noted in earlier blogs) you’ve played defense.  That didn’t change this season – you were on defense all the time. But this Fall, you became THE defensive player on your team… the defensive player your coach – and team – counted on to keep the opposing offense on edge and, hopefully, out of the goal.

You now can see the whole field as things unfold, and know how to position yourself against the oncoming offense.  You’re also much, much more aggressive one-on-one with an opposing player, staying with him, using your body and kicking that ball out.

Speaking of kicking the ball – you’ve become THE player your coach typically calls on to inbound the ball on corner kicks, make sideline throw-ins and in special penalty kick situations.

In today’s game against Rochester, you were all over the field, running fast and moving about with purpose.  Your teammates also played hard. It was the best Dover effort – bar none – of the entire season.

Unlike most of the games, this one was evenly matched. Both teams played their hearts out every minute of the first half and second half.  No one was “dogging it,” everyone gave it their all.  It was amazing to watch. Back and forth, lots of shots on goal, but only one score per team.

With the score still tied 1-1 late in the second half, Rochester committed a penalty and your coach gave you the nod to kick the penalty shot.  You lined up, planted your foot and booted the ball.  It sailed straight and high and very hard. Everyone watched with anticipation, hoping for the tie-breaker and go-ahead goal, but your shot hit the top crossbar and bounced out!

SO INCREDIBLY CLOSE!

Later on, you executed an inbound corner kick along the goal “baseline” – it was set up perfectly, landing right in front of the goal.  Your team mate couldn’t get a good shot off, though, despite the close proximity.

One particular Rochester player – number 10 – played dirty throughout the game.  He pushed Dover players in the back and made several cheap shots which the ref never saw, or chose not to respond to. I could tell you guys were frustrated.  Several of our fans were letting the ref know – including your Mom!

With about two minutes left, Rochester moved it down the field and scored.   There wasn’t enough time left for you guys to mount an offensive drive.  The whistle blew, and the game was over, 2-1.

Everyone cheered and clapped – we were so impressed with Dover’s heart and soul.  When I saw you, I said:

Ben, that was the best game you ever played.  You were amazing. You tried so hard and gave it your all.  That was an awesome penalty kick, so close!  I’m so proud of you!

You talked about number 10 –

He made me so angry. I just wanted to punch him in the face!

Your Mom, Dad, Grammy and I all agreed, it was frustrating to watch him play so dirty.

Me, as we walked toward the car:

Ben, you’re one of the best players on your team, you’ve improved so much this season, did you know that?

You:

I am?

Me:

Yes!  You’re the player your coach turns to for the big kicks and big plays.  You’ve got the big cannon foot!

You:

Bigger than Pete?

Me:

“Yes! You’re the one your coach asked to kick that big penalty shot. You’re the player who makes most of the inbound kicks.  You’ve improved so much!

It was so interesting to hear you… while I never want you to get a “big head” thinking you’re better than others, it’s as if you didn’t realize how you’ve transformed from ‘one of the players’ to ‘one of the players a coach counts on.’

Way to go Ben, I’m so proud of you and how hard you’ve tried.  I know it’s not easy to lose over and over again, but when you finally win, it will be a very, very sweet taste!  So always remember to try your hardest, do your very best and push yourself to get to a new level, no matter how hard it is.