Soccer 2019

We completed our fifth year of watching high school soccer a few days ago.  We started watching Ben play at Raleigh Charter High School when he was a freshman.  Jack joined the team as a freshman three years ago, so until this year, we had two grandsons on the varsity team.

Our expectations were low this year because it was a young team, a new coach, players small but fast.  Raleigh Charter lost three early games and then came together winning the rest of the regular-season games.  Grandson, Jack, was one of the two high scorers on the team and had a great year.  We were at most games to cheer for Jack and the team.

The North Carolina State sectional tournament started two weeks ago.  Raleigh Charter had a bye and won the next three games handily.  We were in the semi-finals playing Franklin, one of the best teams in the state.  Unfortunately, our third round game was postponed so we played on Monday, the day before the semi-finals.  The boys were beat-up and tired.

Franklin was rested, had superior athletes, tall and fast, aggressive (six yellow cards vs. zero for us).  But we had spirit and fight.  Jack had one goal called back because of an offsides penalty and was fouled in the box and another player scored the penalty kick.  Then Jack tied the score 3-3 with a great goal, but Franklin scored again and we couldn’t match that goal.  Franklin won the next game, winning the state championship. 

We are proud of the team, and especially, Jack.  He was so sore the next morning that he told his mom that if they had won, he probably couldn’t play the next game.

Jack, you and Raleigh Charter were great this year.  We are proud of you.  And we had so much fun watching you play.

Seasoned Man

stevelem117@gmail. Com