Freshman Soccer Season Complete!

Austen's freshman high school soccer team ended the season with the opportunity to play on the high school stadium field for their final games/tournament of the season. The boys went 3-0 including a hard fought Friday night win against Elgin with a goal in the last 10 minutes of the game (Austen with the assist) to claim the tournament trophy for the first time for Hinsdale Central. 

While at the beginning of the season he may have been disappointed making only the freshman team, this was exactly where he was supposed to be. He made so many new friends and learned so much about what it means to lead a team when you're ahead and when you're behind. 

In games where they've been ahead, I've seen him unselfishly make passes to teammates who don't have many or any goals to try to get them one when he easily could've taken the shots himself. 

I've seen him help rally his teammates to come from behind to win or tie (and provide the assist). 

I've heard him talking and directing his teammates more on the field. And, I've seen his level of physical play improve a lot too. He didn't have many goals (only 7 for the season) but he had more assists than I can count and he was looked to as the leader/captain on and off the field by his teammates and his coaches. 

What I think he'll take away from this season is the many friendships that he has formed with his teammates - from all different clubs, middle schools, towns - to create a real team. There's no A or B team. They are just a team. I love that. 

I'm so glad he got a chance to play for his high school too. What a great first season! Congrats to our Devils!

Above: Austen's direct kick

Below: Our #6 playing on the big field...