Soccer Saturday

Though I haven't said much about it, Tristan is playing soccer. . . when it isn't raining, which it has been most weekends of the season so far. There have been three games, Tristan's played in two of them, and the Terminators have won all three.

I just wanted to mention this shot. Unfortunately, in two games, this is the second time he's lost his shoe. What really made me proud is that as the sole fullback (the other team was missing players) and despite losing his shoe, he kept that ball away from the goal. He didn't even think twice about the right thing to do.

Next time though, I think I'll tie that for him.

Fall Soccer

What's going on while we're all at home most of the time?

Soccer!

And other stuff, but the soccer makes the best photos.

Tristan's playing his 3rd season for the U10 Terminators, and is having a great year, scoring at least one goal in every game so far.

And here are some pictures to prove it.






Zoe's not playing this year, but she is participating in an after-school running program called "Girls on the Run," and really enjoying it. She'll be running a 5K race at the end of the fall.



In unrelated photography news, I'm saving my money for the soon-to-be-released Canon 50D, my current "good" camera (Sony DSC-H2) has a half-busted shutter release button, so the shutter lag is a full one second or longer, which makes shooting action an absolute pleasure, Zoe's broken Canon A570IS is in for warranty repair (!), and Tristan has been doing some fun work with his Lego minifigs recently. Check out his pictures on Tristan's Zooomr Account. Hopefully he hasn't snuck in any colorful obscenities that he's currently so fascinated with.

One of these days, I plan on posting about:

• our early August weekend in Washington DC where we met our new nephew Zane Saia
• our Roth Family Vacation to Black Rock, NC
• the Ben Folds Five reunion concert

One of these days.

Soccer Night in Mebane, Fall 2007

Yes, it's once again time for Mebane Youth Soccer Association (MYSA) fall soccer. This year, Tristan is on the U10 Terminators, and Zoe is back on the U8 Strikers. Tonight was the first game of the season, and as luck would have it, both Tristan and Zoe's games were at the same time.

Tristan's team's uniforms hadn't come in yet, so they attempted to match as best they could. The playing was great, and you can really notice the differences even between U10 and U8. Tristan did some great work as fullback.

With him in this picture is Ayanna, who has been on the same team as Tristan for four seasons now.





The Terminators won their game against the Cougars, 5-2.

Back in U8, Zoe is stepping up and taking more of an active role on her team, now that she's one of the older kids.




The Strikers won their game, 2-1

Next weeks' schedule hasn't been finalized yet, but check back next weekend at the latest to see what's new.

In the meantime, I'm off to Sin City. . . . .

Spring Soccer: Season Finale

Saturday was the end of the season "Festival" for the U8 league, which means there are just a lot of games on one day, and the results don't mean anything, standing-wise. The results can be found here.

In the first game, the eighth-place Strikers tied the #2 Fury, 4-4, with Tristan scoring two of those goals. I wasn't there, so there aren't pictures of that game.

After the first game, we went to the Glenwood Fair. It was raining again this year, and that makes for a crowded, chaotic mess. The kids had fun though. . . and pizza, soda, two cotton candies, and various other carb-laden delights. That's OK, though, they had another soccer game to burn it off!

The second game was at 4 against the #4 Kiro Kids. I was there to take pictures, but because I had the "wrong" camera, plus it was raining, none of the pictures really turned out. Just look at our tons of soccer pictures at our Zooomr site, and imagine them grayer, with the occasional drop of rain on the lens. The Strikers won this one handily, 5-1 with Tristan scoring 3 of the goals in his final game with the Strikers in the U8 league. Zoe will be back in the fall, but Tristan will be on to U10.

So that's it for the soccer posts. . . until August, which is only three months away.

We just found out the other day that we got into the Dogwood Pool as members from this year forward, so there may be some swim-team action in the near future. That should photograph nicely.

Spring Soccer, Week 8

The final game of the regular season was upon is. Saturday at 12:30 against the #1 Flames, who have allowed a grand total of two goals against them the entire season. This could get ugly. As an added bonus, the weather was perfect, and Connie and Beth had made the trek to Mebane to see the kids play some soccer.

But there was no game. Tristan and Zoe were the only Strikers to show up. The other team's players and coaches were there, the referees were there, but the remainder of the Strikers were not. After a couple of unanswered calls to the coach, the officials declared a forfeit.

Since everyone was in a soccer mood, an ad hoc scrimmage was arranged. Zoe played for baby blue, and Tristan played for highway worker orange. Most of the Flames played, and even a couple of kids who weren't on the team played. There was one goal scored, and it was from Tristan.

Temporary Teammate Hosted on Zooomr

Zoe looked a little lonely as the only fullback.

Half the Team Hosted on Zooomr

Coming up this weekend, the end-of-season festival. Last season, the Strikers were the only team that went undefeated in the festival. This year, we'll hopefully they'll at least show up.

Spring Soccer, Week 7

The game against the Hot Shots, with a late evening start, meaning that there aren't a lot of pictures. . . which may be a good thing. The Strikers lost, I don't know, 2 or 3 to 0.

Since there's not a lot to say about the game, here are the pictures.

WTF? Hosted on Zooomr

Tristan didn't actually say this, it just looks like that's what he may have been thinking. . . paraphrased into adult language, of course.

Dribbler Hosted on Zooomr

The kids have a standing offer from me that I'll give them $5 if they can dribble five times without the ball hitting the ground. There's also a $10 offer. So far this has cost me nothing.

Motion in the Z-axis Hosted on Zooomr

Is this game over yet? Hosted on Zooomr

The next, and last, regular season game is Saturday the 28th at 12:30. We're scheduled to have some special guests watch the game with us, and then come back to the compound for ribs.

Spring Soccer, Week 5

Well, the Strikers finally turned it around, beating the Allstars 3-2, with all of the Strikers' goals being scored by Tristan.

It was a 7:30 pm game, so there are no pictures, plus the fact that I wasn't at the game to take pictures either. What's starting to trouble me is that the team does better when I'm not there. . . like in last season's tournament, and now this. I'm starting to see a pattern. . .

Next match: Friday April 13th, vs. Martinho's.

Spring Soccer, Week 4, Part B

Saturday afternoon's game was against the Hornets. Different team, same ending. The Strikers got creamed, probably something like 10-1, with one 1 once again coming from from Tristan.

Here's a picture of that, though you'll have to take my word for it.

He Shoots, He Scores Hosted on Zooomr

Both kids played well, and Zoe's getting more aggressive, like she used to be in U6.

Zoe Solo Hosted on Zooomr

And the random, other pictures of the day.

Multiburst TR Soccer Hosted on Zooomr

Corner Kicker Hosted on Zooomr

Flowers behind Zoe Hosted on Zooomr

Good Subject Hosted on Zooomr

Saturday night the youth at Mebane Presbyterian Church (MPC) had a pancake supper and dessert auction. The only thing that could top that would maybe be pork rib night with microbrew sampling. At events like this, I'm sure they lose money on Tristan, who certainly ate more than his $3 kids ticket's worth of food.

Pancake Eaters Hosted on Zooomr

Spring Soccer, Week 4, Part A

Week four of soccer? What happened to weeks one, two, and three?

Week one was a night game, and since I know I don't have the capacity to take decent photos of night games, I didn't even bother. The Strikers lost, by the way, maybe 5-1. The "1" coming from Tristan. We hope he gets into the scoring habit early.

Week two was a postponement due to somebody's scheduling issue.

Week three was a rainout. Actually the rain was on Friday, but the fields were in no shape for playing by Saturday.

So this week there are two scheduled games; Friday at 6:15 against the Hammers, and Saturday at 12:30 against the Hornets.

The Friday game couldn't have had better weather. 75F and sunny. That didn't stop the Strikers from losing though, 5 or 6 to 1. No Roths scored in this game.

There were plenty of pictures to be taken, what with the good light and all. Here are but a few.

The Team Hosted on Zooomr

Break ing Away Hosted on Zooomr

Waiting Hosted on Zooomr

Zoe Dribbles Hosted on Zooomr

Team Traveling Roth Hosted on Zooomr

Hoverer Hosted on Zooomr

Next game tomorrow, 12:30. Weather prediction: Mostly sunny, 82F

Strikers Season Finale

Saturday was week two of the end-of-season festival, and the Strikers continued their winning ways, taking the first game against the Sharks 4-2, and the second game against the Storm x-x.

Since I wasn't there, and don't know how it went, other than Tristan scoring a goal in the first game, and Zoe taking a shot to the face (again), the rest of this post will be pictures of the games, taken by Jennifer.

(As a side-note, these are just about the only pictures on this blog so far that Jennifer has taken, and they're awesome!)

Team Traveling Roth Hosted on Zooomr

Focus on Tristan Hosted on Zooomr

Solo Zoe Hosted on Zooomr

Breakaway Hosted on Zooomr

Left Hook Hosted on Zooomr

Kick it Hosted on Zooomr

Soccer, Festival, Week 1

As a departure to the spring's end-of-season tournament (which the Strikers lost the championship by one penalty kick), this season has a "Festival", where each team in both the U8 Blue and White divisions play four games over two Saturdays.

In today's first game, under clear skies and 33 degree (F) conditions, the Strikers took on the Lions from the U8 White division. The Strikers won 2-0, with the first goal scored by Cameron, and the second by Tristan. (I would post pictures, but I didn't attend the game nor photograph.) Zoe informs me that she almost scored a goal.

The next game was at 12:15 against the U8 White Kickers. The Strikers won that one too, 3-2, with two goals scored by Cameron, and one by Asalyn. There would've been pictures, but Jennifer prefers the Canon to the Sony, and the Canon is in Vietnam right now with Jason and Christine Kreider.

Next Saturday, two more games in the conclusion of the Fall 2006 season Festival

Soccer, Week 9

"The night was dark and asinine. . . . "

Actually, the weather was ridiculous. It had probably rained more than an inch during the day, and it hadn't let up at all by the 7:30 game time. We were dressed in our full rain gear, and didn't even bother bringing the camera for fear of wrecking it. The only reason the league didn't cancel (I think) is because this is the last weekend of the season, and the festival/tournament starts next weekend. They really needed to get the season wrapped up.

So a grand total of 6 of the 10 Strikers showed up to play the last-place, winless Phoenix. Three Phoenix-es showed up, so the Strikers won by forfeit. (I think you need 6 to play). But since we were there, the coach decided to have a scrimmage. Tristan and Ben joined the Phoenix to make it a little more even, and they played for about 15 minutes.

Tristan kicked off, and within 10 seconds put it in the Striker's goal. Where was this kind of play the rest of the season? Zoe got pretty agressive, since she spent most of her time taking on her brother. . . something she's quite comfortable with. Tristan later scored another goal, but the "Phoenix+" lost 3-2 in fake play.

We're still waiting on the final standings, but right now it looks like the Strikers finished 6th of 10.

Next week, the festival/tournament. Four games in one day. Should be interesting.

Soccer, Week 8

The Strikers won again, this time 5-1 vs. Fury.

I'd be more excited about this were it not for the fact that Tristan and Zoe didn't play because we were away camping. It's great that their team did well, but a little unnerving that is was despite (or because of) T and Z not being there. The team has moved up to 6th place in their division.

The final regular season game is against the 0-7 Sharks. Tristan and Zoe will be there. We'll see how that goes, and then the tournament.

Soccer, Week 7, Thursday Night Lights

Hold on. This one doesn't end the way you think it does.

Thursday night was the make-up game for Tuesday's rainout of a game that was probably rescheduled from some other time. I can't keep up anymore. Anyway, the game didn't start until 7:30, and with no sunlight left in the sky, the photography was tricky, but the soccer was solid.

The Strikers defeated the Sharks, 4-2. The first two goals were scored by Cameron.

Tristan scored the third.

Here's Tristan having his number recorded by the official.

Julia, their new star keeper, scored the fourth goal (while Jake was playing keeper). Here's Zoe watching on appreciatively.

The Strikers next match is Friday night vs. Fury

Soccer: Week 6

You know how this goes. THD Strikers lose to the Dragons 3-2.

However, the Strikers were actually winning for a few minutes. And if you ignore the the point that was scored by the Strikers kicking into their own goal, it would be a virtual tie!

Playing has improved. Zoë, who is one of the youngest and smallest on the team, is getting more agressive. Tristan really shined, and played nearly the whole game. If he continues on this course, he'll be in fine shape when he makes the transition to the U10 league in the spring.

And since the game had a late start, and I accidentally kept the camera on Auto instead of Sports mode, there weren't many usable pictures. Here's the one though.
Next up: Sharks, Tuesday.

Soccer: Week 5A: Wednesday Night Lights

In order to avoid a conflict with Friday night's Fall Festival at the South Mebane Elementary School (where most of the Strikers receive their indoctrination,) Friday's game was moved to Wednesday. Martinho's came to play.

If you've read any of my previous soccer posts from this season, you can probably see how this is going to end. Yup. The Strikers lost again, this time 6-2.

But with that being said, there was a noticeably improved level of play this week. So I am hopeful that the team will be able to win something this season.

Here's a near-goal shot by Tristan. It went wide to the right. Need to work on getting him to keep his toe down.
Here's Tristan taking control
And just a picture of Tristan, the sweaty athlete that he is
Zoë got her share of play too. Here she is keeping it away from a MartinhoJulia, Zoë, and Cameron, in an unaturally tight grouping, await the action
And just Zoë, basking in the twilight sun, with fierce concentration.

In case you're wondering about the title of this post, there will be a Week 5B. Weather permitting, the Strikers verse the Dragons at 11:15

Soccer, Week 4

Friday night, the THD Strikers lost to the Flames, 4-0

There's no a whole lot to say about the game. The Strikers held the Flames scoreless until the last minute or so of the first half, despite many shots on the Strikers' keeper, Jake. The second half, it just fell apart.

The only other good thing I can say is, the light was fantastic that evening, so I took a lot of pictures, which I guess is not saying too much, as I usually take a lot of pictures regardless. As a bonus, it was team photo night, so as the photographer from Lifetouch was lining everyone up to be photographed (on film none the less. Remember film? I couldn't believe anyone was still using that, let alone a professional photographer. They're litterally years behind Heirloom Digital Portraits.) I got a few pictures of my own, that I own the rights to!

The team(Front: Zoe, Aslyn, Julia, Nicholas, Ben, and Cameron. Back: Coach ?, Victoria, Tristan, Ianna, Jake, and Coach Toby. Coincidentally, the back row are all returning players from the one-goal-away-from-the-league-championship Spring 2006 team, while everyone in the front row is new)

Tristan Solo

Zoe Solo

And some action shots back at the field

Zoe warming up. Check out the motion blur! On a strength-to-mass ratio, I would guess that Zoe is one of the strongest people I know.
Mid-game
Tristan watching the action upfield, prepared.
Zoe focused
Julia (who is like a miniature Mia Hamm) and Tristan preparing to kick off after having a point scored against them. They, unfortunately, got a lot of practice at this.

After the game, we went to Hooters. The kids were not phased at all by the place. We (Jennifer and I, that is) have eaten at Hooters two times in the past, both of them back before moving to North Carolina when we lived in Newnan, Georgia. That restaurant was entirely unimpressive, both food-wise and Hooter Girl-wise. Now we remembered why it has been so long since we'd been to a Hooters. The wings at this Hooters were not nearly as good as the ones we make at home, although I'd have to admit that the the scenery was quite pleasant.

Tristan did mention the following to me:

Tristan: Dad, these Hooters ladies are nasty.
Dave: Why is that?
Tristan: They're wearing super short-sleeved pants and super short-sleeved shirts.

Zoe decided that she wants to be a Hooters girl or a teacher when she grows up.

Jennifer and I decided we can probably wait another five years to return to Hooters.

Next Friday: The Strikers vs. Martinho's, the team they lost the championship to in the spring.