Cookie, I think, issued a no swimming ban, but the girls Indy burned as much energy playing elevator tag as they would have in the pool. Sophie's brother and I watched a strange movie about Matt Damon as a recently widowed father buying a zoo -- the premise only made sense to me because, apparently, the story is true and the zookeeper that comes with the zoo is Scarlet Johansson of lasting "Lost in Translation" fame. Spoiler alert: Matt and Scarlett don't kiss until the final scene.
I was shamed by indolence when I met Primary Spotter at the elevator. Where I was blurry and somnolent he was refreshed and energized having skipped giant lemonades and diet cokes at the mall and, instead, done work, jogged, and showered!
At 5PM, though, dutifully responding to our texts from All World Alice, we all met in the Lobby of the Indy Sheraton. And we lined up to follow Kate's Dad -- who probably hasn't driven 55 MPH so much in the last ten years as he did this weekend -- to head out to another field.
What greeted us was a deluge. All the soccer moms' morning ablutions (ritual application of cleansing liquids or creams) were made redundant by a continual downpour. Cookie wisely has the girls perform their own ablutions outside by making them roll around in the mud before the game to prepare for the soaking.
The rain prevented this blogger from taking notes (no plastic binder!). I have only vague memories, memories that included blowdrying two pairs of soaking wet soccer cleats the following AM.
But one memory stands out clearly: Kate's sure hands and pure toughness. As the girls have been playing well recently they haven't had to rely on Kate's ball stopping. This game, however, reminded everyone of what kind of player she is. The opponent, Citadel, was much more athletic than GLSRA had been in Game One. And they were physical. There was one yellow card -- firmly delivered -- and there should have been two or three. In the downpour the Force's ball control game was relatively ineffective. Here the girls' admirable responsiveness to coaching almost turned to a disadvantage. There is no Barcelona offswitch. So while the Force played well Citadel's dump and chase game trumped the Force's skill in terms of shots on goal. Kate fielded wet knuckelball after wet knuckleball. Things held at 0-0 when the official awarded a questionable free kick at the top of the 18. Kate came up big.Citadel's yellow card recipient created pressure late -- and Kate sacrificed herself, picking up the ball and taking the hit to the knees as the official blew the whistle to end the game. One is tempted, in such situations, to call for a bit of "old time hockey." When your exposed goalie takes a hit, defenders respond -- hard. Similarly, as an old offensive lineman, when your QB takes a hit -- particularly by your man -- respond. But the way are team responded was more effective than my old time instincts. They bonded together, ate pizza, and got ready for the next day.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmCpOKtN8ME
When you and the ones you have to protect take a hit this is really all you can or should do. Get together, lift everyone up, and get ready for the next day.
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