May 25th, 2014              

    Whatever progress the La Forza girls had made in the earlier three games of this tournament was completely lost in the championship game. They went back to being selfish, as their passing practically disappeared in this contest. They went back to playing lazy, as there was little hustle unless the ball was at their feet. This isn't necessarily an indictment of the whole team, as there was a couple of girls who left it all on the line in today's game, but it happened to enough of them that it legitimately cost them the game today. What makes it worse is that the girls grabbed a 2-0 lead, but let things fall apart from there. By the time the game was over, the La Forza girls had to settle for second place after falling by a score of 3-2.

    Samantha was extremely disappointed in this game, which only reinforced her thoughts on finding a new club to play with next season. She loves it at La Forza, but after two seasons on the "B" team she has had enough. When we suggested she look elsewhere last year, she flatly refused to consider it. This year she brought it up to us, so things must have been bad. She also prefers to play in the field full time, so that will affect where she chooses to play next season as well...

    On a positive note, the majority of her teammates parents came up to after the game to congratulate her on well she played while acknowledging that there wasn't much she could have done to change the outcome of the game. While she places immense pressure on herself to be perfect in goal, it meant a lot to her to hear that the parents didn't blame her for the loss. In fact, without her in goal, they likely wouldn't have made it this far.

    Regardless of the outcome, Tara & I are EXTREMELY proud of how Samantha has handled this entire season, and with her consistent hard effort while on the field. Love you kiddo!

Canton Cup Championship Game - vs. Michigan Arrows 01
	Once again Samantha started the game in goal.
	Sam taking a goal kick...
	...and sending it down the field.
	Sam bending down to make a save.
	Sam lining up a drop kick...
	...before taking the kick...
	...and sending it down the field.
	Sam looking at a ball that was deflected high into the air.
	Sam could only watch as this ball was headered over the net.
	Sam jumping to make a save on a corner kick.
	Sam kicking the ball away from an opposing player.
	Sam taking another goal kick.
	Sam scooping up the ball in front of a teammate.
	Sam setting herself up for another drop kick...
	...before booting it to her teammates.
	Sam grabbing another shot on goal.
	Samantha taking a drop kick in the second half...
	...and watching it go down the field once more.
	Sam grabbing a shot on goal.
	Sam looking on as the play takes place along the sideline.
Please click here for page two of the photos