Three Kids and a Dog: Sophomore Soccer Season Ends Being #6 in State

Regional and Sectional Champs

I've been waiting to post a wrap up of Austen's sophomore soccer season. After major injuries to two key starting teammates, we weren't sure how far the boys would go in the playoffs. But, they were all grit and heart, and advanced to the State's Super Sectional (the top 8 teams in the state) and just finally ended their season last week. It was the first time the team had been to the Super Sectionals in 8 years, and believe me, no one thought at the beginning of the season that this was the team to do it. But they did.

What a great, long and very busy season it was too! Austen learned so much this season including how to be a better defender and play against kids who were much bigger and stronger than him. It was definitely challenging for him as he played a position that was more defensive than offensive (what he prefers), and had to often mark notably the best player on the other team as his position matched up against where most teams put their strongest offensive player.

During playoffs, he scored a goal in the first game helping them secure a 3-1 win. The second playoff game to win regionals was going to be a bit more tough as they were the #4 seed, playing the #5 seed. And, it was. At the end of regulation they were tied and had to go into overtime. They were still scoreless after two overtime periods so were forced into doing penalty kicks(PKS). Not a good way to win or lose. Austen had told me the day before that they had been practicing PKs at practice routinely and because of the injuries on the team, he had moved up from the #6 to the #5 spot. (The top 5 are really the important ones.) The coach had asked him at the beginning of the season how comfortable he was taking PKs because it's a lot of pressure for a sophomore. Austen assured him that he takes them routinely for his club (and always has) so he was up for the challenge. But when they called him to be the #5 kicker during the playoffs and he had to make it to help his team advance, let's just say there were a whole lot more nerves in the stands and on the field than usual. I'm used to watching Austen take PKs. I've seen him take a lot whether it's been in a shoot out or an earned PK in the game. He's very consistent but man was I nervous. I really wanted to throw up so I could only imagine his nerves on the field (even though he always tell me he doesn't get nervous taking PKs). I just didn't want him to let the Seniors down. Our goalie came up big with a save and Austen sunk his PK deep in the corner to give his team the win. Whoever was up there looking out for this kid, thank you! PKs can really go either way but seeing his euphoria as his team collapsed on him and their goalie was probably one of the moments he and I will always remember (Tom was shuttling the girls to practices/swim meets). Afterwards, Austen did say that was the most nervous he's ever been taking PKs and he doesn't get nervous for them.

The next two games, they avenged their early season loss to their rivals and secured a 2-0 win, and then Austen played a great game, holding off one of their stars to help his team win the Sectional Final 1-0. On to Super Sectionals to play the #1 seeded team in their bracket. It wasn't their best game but they fought hard and wouldn't go away. They just ran out of time and ended their season with a 3-4 loss to the eventual State Champs.

Austen started in 23 of 23 games and played a lot of minutes in every game, averaging at least 70 of 80 minutes as a sophomore. His team ended with a final state ranking of #6 in the state. Not bad for a sophomore getting that much time and experience playing. What a great season and a great privilege to play with some great teammates as a sophomore. He's already looking toward how he can make an even bigger impact next year when he's an upperclassman! Go Red Devils!