Rebecca played on a co-ed Spring Arena League. The teams, balanced between ages 8-11, boys/girls; Rebecca was one of the youngest. The team completed the season undefeated: (7-0)
For the Gummis' first game, they played a team that was comprised of a number of last year's U11 Matrix players, so it was a tough match, but the Gummi's finished on top (4-3). It was also a tough game because Rebecca and two of her teammates had just come from Club Tryouts and were pretty exhausted.
The second game was very different. The opposition may not have been quite as strong, but they definitely had some strong individuals. Rebecca played stopper for 2 periods in the first half and did an excellent job. She strongly cleared every ball and when she had time, made nice passes up to the forwards. Nobody, nor any pass, got past her. She started the 2nd half in rt wing & was a dominant presence in offense right off. She took the ball down the rt side, pushing past & faking to the goal. One on one with the goalie, she put a nice, easy slice just inside the far post. Almost immediately she took the ball to the goal again, made a nice cross for an assist. Having gained the confidence of her team, she was given a nice pass which got down to the goal again, she passed and came about as close as you can to an assist. The shot rolled one way along the goal line, it was kicked back the other way & still couldn't pass the goal line until the other team was able to kick out the ball. Rebecca was taken out for a rest & went back in shortly after to finish up in defense. Final Score: (4-1); 1 goal, 1 assist during her one period in offense.
The Gummi's won their 3rd game as well. Again, there were some strong individuals: another U11 Matrix player, an individual from the other U10 Area All Stars team & 2 very strong boys. The Gummi's were missing 2 girls from Rebecca's Panthers team & the coach's son - all very good players. Rebecca was not expected to make the game (which would've left the team with only one sub) as we had a baseball game early in the AM & a surfing TV shoot at San Onofre beach at noon. Anyway, we skipped the beach party & sat in traffic for an hour, but made the game! Rebecca played defense for half the time & offense for half the time (1 period LW, 1 RW). The ball was kept prominently on the other side of the field. Rebecca made several nice advances from the left in the first half, but just didn't score. In the second half, she was able to squeak one in from the right side, just behind the goalie. Shortly after, she came down the right side again, drew the goalie out then made a nice, easy cross to the waiting Gummi, in front of an empty goal. Finally, the crowning touch came when the defense was collapsing from both sides on Rebecca's latest forward progression and the goalie charged her; she let off a high arching chip, up and over them all, dropping in the back of the net -- just beautiful. That shot was the talk of the game. Her nickname with the team is now "Muscle," and it was given to her from one of the boys! :) Final Score: 5-2 (2 goals, 1 assist) |
