Soccer Academy: 'Knasty' in Knoxville

Today, I had the distinct pleasure of witnessing something that makes our community great. On a weekend where many of our wrestlers were competing at the Area 3 tournament and our Middle School boys' basketball team was battling it out for the championship, our two Soccer Academy teams traveled to Houston, Texas, and Knoxville, Tenn., for tournaments as well. I traveled to see the girls' second game at the College Showcase in Knoxville. 

The low clouds kept it from being as cold as you would expect for early February in the South. I arrived as a few raindrops started falling and within 30 minutes of game time the fields were a sloggy mess and the rain showed no signs of stopping.  The Soccer Academy ladies were up against a team from Kentucky in their second game after a loss to a team that morning with a last-minute score.

With conditions that couldn't get much worse, these Lady Tigers played their hearts out. The ball would fly through the air but once it touched the ground it was covered with glue. It simply would not roll, challenging even the best ball handlers. Coach Rex Bowman kept encouraging them to stay disciplined and focus, and they did. The game only lasted for a half before the entire tournament was suspended due to the weather. Even though the game ended in a tie, you would have been proud of your ladies as they had six shots on goal to Kentucky’s one. 

The unflappable spirit of these players made the drive home fly by. I still cannot get over the positive attitudes and constant smiles of each and every player, slogging through a game where both the other team and the field were fighting against them. In moments like these, I am reminded of the spirit of our wonderful student-athletes. Not a complaint, not a grumble, just a team ready to compete.

Most of the Soccer Academy matches are over three hours away; so very few of us get to watch them play. Let me say, to see even one half of that type of play … was worth every mile. Lady Tigers, I can’t wait to see your next game.