Going for the Gold....

This weekend my oldest, CSH, played in the Show-Me State Games. SMSGs is a state "tournament" where teams from all over Missouri come & play their chosen sport, everything from soccer to basketball to track to gymnastics-well you get the idea-you name it & SMSG has it!

CSH has been playing in the SMSG for the past 6 years, we started the first year that we were switching from recreational soccer to competitive soccer. We have been matched up with the St. Louis Eagles, which is a team comprised of players from some of the best St. Louis teams & we have always placed 2nd or 3rd place each year. This year, it was my husband's personal goal (& my son's as well) to obtained the Gold medal because this is the last year that my husband will be coaching a team in the SMSGs at this age level. In the past, CSH has played for his club team but last year he put together a Mid-Mo Select team which comprised of buddies that he has developed a friendship with over the past years within the soccer community of central Missouri. The team comprised of some of the best players from Columbia, Moberly, Sedalia, Jeff City & Camdenton-truly a Mid-Missouri Select team.

Games started Friday evening, the Mid-Mo Select team played 2 games, winning 7-0 and 2-0. They didn't have to play any games on Saturday because they were seeded in the 1st place position & received a bye. We played the semi-final game Sunday morning winning 6-0. The final game was up against the St. Louis Eagles.

The game stated, my son, scored within the first 3-5 minutes. We were up 1-0. A couple of minutes before half time, we received a penalty in the box, the Eagles tied it up. 1-1 and half time. Second half, Nick scored on a direct kick resulting from a foul-it was a beautiful shot that went over the Eagles wall & straight into the upper near post. Mid Mo Select 2 Eagles 1. Eagles tied the game up again. The game was a very heated and physical game. Each team determined to win the game. Understand that if the game ended in a tie, we would have to go into overtime. BUT since there was a shortage of referees, no overtime would be played. Instead, we would go straight into penalty kicks. I was not wanting to go into penalty kicks. I would not have any nails or hair left!

With about 5 minutes of the game left, my son, scored the winning goal!

After 6 years of perseverance....we went out on top with the Gold medal....way to go Mid-Mo Select!!!