the end....

...of soccer hasn't been something I have ever done well.  Probably, for the first 18 years I played, it never ended.  I remember how hard it was to decide not to play my senior year at Alma.  After Alma I didn't do much with soccer until I started coaching last fall.  A year ago today it started again though - at tryouts. 

I have had a blast coaching my girls.  It has been a year that has been busy!  We started out in Division 4 and last fall they played so well that we took second place in the Division and moved up to Division 3.  We played well enough this spring to take 3rd place in the Division.  Not bad for a year.  Lots of growing and learning - for both the girls and myself. 

I have made the decision not to coach in the fall - as baby is due the week that games start.  I plan to take a long maternity leave and don't feel right about coaching if I am not at work.  So....I let the girls know yesterday after our last game.  It is a huge bummer but I am excited about being able to go to some of their games in the fall and see how they are doing. 

Tonight I will fulfill my last responsiblity as a coach - evaluating tryouts for next year.  Sort of bittersweet....

Portage Classic 2010