Kathy, Kelly, and I went to watch Mary Claire play soccer yesterday afternoon. It was a beautiful, cool sunny day. Perfect for us spectators. The opposing Norcross team, however, thought the fields were closed because of the rains from Ivan. What rains? The sky could not have been bluer.

The three coaches split the team in half and held a scrimmage. The coaches took positions on the field and were able to play + coach at the same time. Claire’s team is so good, that this became one of the most intense games she has yet played.

At one point, Claire was driving towards the goal and had to go one-on-one with one of the more fit and competitive coaches. With some fancy footwork, Mary Claire was able to literally trip up the coach, and he landed on the ground as she got it around him. He ended up with a bloody nose, and Claire was able to take a shot on goal! (Blocked by another coach playing goalie. Rats.)

Later that night, the fallen coach called and invited Claire to “play up” on another travel team. We think her current team is already playing up.