Taylor's Big Night "Under The Lights"

"The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses - behind the line, in the gym, and out there on the road, long before I dance under these lights"

We've all heard the phrase "Prime Time Player" or tales about some players, regardless of age, that can raise their game when the lights shine brightest.  In the Frisco Soccer Association you get about 1 evening kickoff per season and the stage gets just a little bit bigger.  Some players just crave that spotlight - and one of them is our very own Taylor!  The numbers don't lie - she has scored in every evening kickoff we have played including her career game high!  So after a 5 week hiatus from live game action, the entire team was itching for an opponent.  Enter the Mermaids, a 7:30pm kickoff at the Warren Sports Complex, and absolutely picture perfect weather conditions at sunset.

All business during warm-ups, Taylor dismisses her sister's attempts to lighten the mood - inspiring Jordan to work on her short game

Dad motivates the team with a passionate pregame speech!

Feeling loose - Taylor is all smiles as she heads on the field for kickoff - she would score the opening goal of the game < 1 minute in

Already feeling it, Taylor covers this Mermaid like a blanket

I love it when these 2 get to play together - we were down 2 players so J&T each got some extra playing time and a shared a few quarters

Just seconds after scoring again (and tying the game with easily the longest shot of her career) Taylor celebrates with Coach Dad and then turns to her teammates...

...For a celebratory hug (the parent in the background was from the other team but couldn't help herself & snapped a picture)

Now in the 2nd half and pulling ahead, Taylor blasts her quintessential shot on goal - well outside the goal box, at a high velocity, while surrounded by a convoy

Miss dependability, Jordan, had a strong outing too - she has clocked 7 quarters of play in 2 games - unofficially the most minutes of any player this season in the U7 Baggio Division

Recently promoted to Center, Jordan handles team kickoffs

Eyes on the prize looking for a chance to steal

Jordan breaks free from the pack...

...and notched a key assist when she fed this pass to teammate Addison for a score

The Twins closed out the game by putting pressure on the Mermaids deep in their own end while holding a 5 goal lead

When the smoke cleared Taylor had tied her career high for goals in a game, added an Assist and the Dolphins had a big win to even their record in the young season!  Awesome effort by the entire team!