National League in NC

Thursday night, Austen and I flew out to North Carolina for the beginning of his National League play. It was our first flight in over a year. I was expecting it to be a little weird but it wasn't that bad. We doubled masked at the suggestion of a few physician friends. The flight was crowded but we didn't mind since half of our flight was filled with the Notre Dame boys soccer team. They were headed to play Duke the next night (no spectators so we couldn't watch). Austen was beyond thrilled and thought that it was so cool to be part of a college soccer program. (This was not helpful in dissuading Austen from playing soccer in college by the way!). 

We arrived into Raleigh-Durham airport late and drove an hour to our hotel in Greensboro. The boys had a team breakfast/meeting the next morning while I hit the grocery store early for some refueling eats. Then we headed out to play their first game vs. a Jacksonville (FL) team. They demolished them 5-1. It wasn't much of a game, with Austen contributing a goal and another member of his team scoring 4 goals! It was certainly a nice way to start and a huge confidence booster for them. 

One of Austen's old teammates from his very first AYSO team as well as his travel team was also there playing on the field just behind us so it was nice to get a picture of them together and send it to their very first travel coach. We ended up meeting them in Winston-Salem (where they were staying) for dinner. 

Saturday had us playing a supposedly good Louisiana Fire Juniors team. We went up early with a goal (assist by Austen). Because our coach promised all players would play 50%, Austen and other players had to be subbed out leaving us a bit vulnerable. Pretty soon they tied the score 1-1. The starting line up went back in and pretty soon they were up again with a goal by Austen followed by a breakaway goal by his teammate. Final score 3-1. 

On Sunday, the boys played a Columbus (OH) team and beat them with a pretty solid 5-0 score. Austen contributed two more assists and a goal for his team. He tells me that he doesn't love his new position but I think he look more like his old self in this role. I reminded him what two coaches said about him too (one didn't think he was a center mid and another said he couldn't believe he wasn't a forward with his scoring abilities) and said maybe we don't even know what your position really is yet. Positions change all the time. You play where you are needed and contribute the most. He's learning - to watch his runs so he's not called off sides, not be in his head on breakaways (he's had more than a few but hits the post or keeper makes a fantastic save) and just how to play this new position in a different formation for the team. I think he looks strong and is utilizing all of his skill set from speed, to shooting and also his passing. It's definitely exciting to see him so much stronger and more comfortable with his team than he was in the fall. He's definitely coming into his own. Can't wait for the rest of the season!

Austen and Grant. Teammates from 1st-4th Grade.

Visiting Duke's Baseball Field

Duke's Soccer Stadium