Fall 2021 brought great change to the Kalmar Soccer landscape with Jordan moving to Fusion and Taylor joining The Storm. Although we will always be Dolphins 4 Life it was great to make new friends and learn from some new coaches. The Storm proved to be a terrific team and great environment to keep playing Soccer.
Team backpacks are cool
Game 1 vs Wylie Sparks
An early September midday game means a high game time temperature - playing on the turf at FC Dallas only magnifies that. Lots of uncertainty heading into the contest with Taylor joining a new team and ironically playing a team new to the FSA. These are strange times and our opponents roster had a "manly" player on their team - this game looked like an opener, the Storm hit the post 3-4 times on shots during the contest and settled for a 1-1 tie.
Taylor gets the reward of game Captain to start the season!
Working the ball downfield
Taylor "floating" across the field and getting directional guidance from multiple teammates
Attacking the ball
Getting pegged by a Throw-In
The team celebrates after the opening score
Game 2 vs Plano Kicks
The 2nd match brought a strong team to town. The Storm suffered an early breakdown conceding a score just a minute into the match. After working hard for a tie the team gave up a back breaking score just as the half closed - after a scary 2nd half head injury caused a Storm teammate to be carried off the field, the team fell behind by 2 scores. Hats off to the Storm, who showed character cutting the deficit to 1 but eventually fell short 2-3.
Taylor keeps the ball outside during a Kicks offensive run 
Game 3 vs FC Fury
After a slow start to the season the Storm were poised to bounce back. Being down a top player everyone had to raise their game to earn their 1st win. On a hot day, Taylor got extra time, lots of touches, and contributed to the team effort. Storm win 4-1!
Taylor attacking the ball all over the field
Leaning back on a lob kick
Oops - crowding a teammate
Taking it up field...
...and outside
Game 4 vs Goalbusters
The week 4 game was bright & early against some familiar faces as 2 former Dolphins adorned our opponents roster. Taylor took advantage of wide open spaces at Midfield as she transitioned the ball throughout the field. The Storm outplayed the Busters en route to a 3-0 win.
Taylor motoring up an clear field
Covering on a Throw In
Fielding...
...and Centering the ball
Covering a former teammate during a Goal Kick
Taylor, Jordan G, and Sarah played 16 consecutive seasons together
Game 5 vs Kickers
A midday game brought high temperatures & sun on the steamy FC Dallas turf. Our opponents focused on defense, holding 5 players back and disrupting attacks. The Storm would break the defense and capture a 3-1 win.
Taylor shows off her hot pink cleats while playing on her toes
Taylor carefully delivered this Throw-In deep in our opponents side - it would lead to a center & score during the 2nd half
Teammates celebrate a great score!
Game 6 vs McKinney Raiders
Our next game brought the rare treat of a weeknight match - on a Monday no less. The late kickoff would test most teams effort and the Storm were up to the task. Taylor would play a unique roll in the 1st half, delivering over a dozen Throw-Ins as the ball would find its way out of bounds repeatedly all around her. The Storm built up a 3 goal lead and Taylor just missed on a score, floating a ball inches over the goal. The lopsided game would end 5-0.
Taylor goes "Kobra Kai" and delivers a chop as she attacks the ball
Taylor lobs a ball to a teammate
The team celebrates an early score!
Game 7 vs Fighting Eagles
After a late season bye week, we found our next game 2 weeks later with an 8am start and high 30's temps. Our opponents had some swagger and a strong 7-0 record. The teams would trade scores in the 1st half and carry the tie into the break. The Storm would take control over the next 20 game minutes, building a 2 goal advantage. After conceding a late score the Storm ended the Fighting Eagles unbeaten season 3-2.
Dad smiles big after the match as the Storm protected Dolphins legacy, denying the Eagles a clean-sheet League Title
Game 8 vs Allen Relentless
Never has the phrase "Save the best for last" applied more. Another 8am game (4th of the season) brought low 40s temps and bright sun. Another fast start for the Storm, finding the net < 5 minutes into the contest. The game was quickly in hand and we carried a 3 goal lead into the half. Hats off to Relentless who came out strong from the break and connected on a score, cutting the lead to 2. Taylor would get a rare chance to play up at Forward, have productive touches, and electrified the crowd when she scored off a Corner Kick late in the match. Storm win 4-1.
Taylor beams after her score
The Storm had a great season and we look forward to watching Taylor & the team Spring 2022!
Now to the fine arts! Taylor has developed a love for Theater! Since entering Griffin Middle School we have enjoyed her performances. COVID was a roadblock to some events but here is what we have enjoyed during 2021...
Spring 2021 - it's hard to act while wearing a mask but during COVID you do what you have to in order to participate. Below Taylor shares her thoughts of being a student in front of her "living" locker
Taylor played an overbearing mother well in this hilarious skit about a parent trying to keep her child focused on school work instead of on-line shopping - she got a roar of laughter from the crowd when she dropped a "Oh God yes!" response when the on-line assistant offered her a chance for some virtual purchases when the kids weren't around
Hands down the strangest role she played was during a Diversity based play where participants were pressured to dress all in blue - although it sent an informative message about forced inclusion, it was a bit heavy for the age group. Taylor's #123 aligned well with a potential Squid Games plot twist
Showered with flowers and glowing post performance
After taking a year off in 2020, Griffin and Cobb Middle schools faced off in a "Improv" challenge - Griffin Theater shows their school spirit
Taylor played a Super Hero during this interview and delivered a cool "I'm Batman" response that rivaled Michael Keaton in the 1989 classic
Playing an angry teacher came too easily
Taylor gets a heroes welcome during a "Press Conference" skit - she didn't know it at the time but figured out she was playing Wonder Woman in 2 questions
The Fall play was "Seussical" where we were reminded that "A person is a person no matter how small"
Working the umbrellas...
All the Who's
Bravo!
Birds, Things & Who's
Taylor, Bestie Baylie & The Cat In The Hat celebrate a successful run
Mom & Dad share a moment with Taylor after the show
#Seussical
No comments:
Post a Comment
>
<$BlogItemCommentCount$> comments