July 11-Some Trouble In Paradise

This was in many ways a very tough day. Our sidelined players, except for Sarah, were all ready to play, as best they could, when we took the field against a strong Mililani, HI team--from right up the highway from the soccer park. They were as good as advertised, and we had trouble keeping up--although the team never gave anything less than the maximum effort. We even tried a new formation--5-4-1, to protect Geena's sore leg, and to try to keep the game close. It didn't work. We lost 6-0. Despite that, I think that the team continued to improve. Unfortunately, during the game, Geena had to leave and was taken to the hospital for observation. She is OK. Our other players with minor knocks did the best they could.

After the game, we had to wait until 5:15 for the next game, so we tried to take the team to a typical Hawaiian fast food joint--L&L Hawaiian BBQ. They had various varieties of the "plate lunch", usually meat, fish or veggies, with rice and macaroni salad. We saw the local teams eating this every day, and I thought that the kids would find it fun. NOT. Instead all of the traveling party whose name was not Becker or Swibold opted for fast food Chinese at Panda Express--just like the one at the Palisades Mall. Our plate lunches were delicious, and I teased all of the players for being scared. They didn't care.

We returned to the fields to set up our new canopy (the one we originally got when we arrived blew over yesterday and broke) at the field where our second game was to be played. Unfortunately, another player needed to be taken to the hospital (her parents will be called in the morning, so I can't give more info now). She is also OK.

As the afternoon went on, the girls watched our U16B team win a game, and then they relaxed, chatted with, yes, some of the Diamond Head girls, and kicked a ball around. Some iced their sore legs and wrapped their ankles.

I found out that our next opponent, Santa Barbara, had not won a game, so I thought that we had a chance for victory--or at least a goal. Even without Geena and our other missing player, we were dominant in the first quarter, but could not score--but they did, against the run of play. As the game went on, we continued to play well, even when Sarah had to leave the game, yet Santa Barbara kept playing better as we tired and weakened. We lost, 4-0.

After a brief team meeting, we returned to the hotel, to order in Pizza Hut, and went to bed.

Tomorrow, believe it or not, the National Games will be over for us. We play a tough North Hawaii squad at 9:15, and since we have no chance to move on to the next round, we are done playing--soccer that is. More fun is expected to follow, before we leave for home on Monday night. I should also mention that it appeared that, after the first day, we were in a close second place for the sportsmanship award. Not sure where we stand after today, though--it hasn't been posted yet.

I feel like I need to say again that your daughters are remarkable young women in so many ways. I wish you were all here to see how amazing each of them is.