Champions!!

     The middle school boys soccer team at GWA are champions once again. The coaching tandem of Grudda and Smith delivered the championship for the second consecutive year.
     44 kids shows up to tryouts this year, but we were only able to keep 16. It was a difficult season because the field was closed for most of it due to repairs. We practiced on the basketball courts and in a make-shift dirt lot.
     The final tournament started at 8:00 AM on Saturday and finished at 7:00 PM. GWA lost the opening game to Marrakech 4-3, marking our third defeat to them this year. GWA then beat CAS and RAS 4-2 before securing passage to the final with a 5-0 victory over AAC. In the final against Marrakech, GWA switched its formation to provide more coverage in the mid-field, and set about stifling the opponents attack. The boys worked relentlessly to pressure opponents when we did not have the ball, and they worked tirelessly to provide passing options for teammates when we did have the ball. A goal late in the first half provided GWA with the advantage, and we defended as a team right up to the final whistle. The final score was 1-0.
     Afterward, there was much celebrating as both the GWA boys and girls soccer teams were crowned champions. Though we will miss several talented 8th graders who are moving up to high school, we look forward to defending our crown in the 2014 tournament. Check out the pictures, which Nicole took, of the tournament below:

The first goal of the tournament

-David