I used to hate soccer. Being American and having been raised a baseball fan, such a state is quite normal; especially for people in my age group "demographic."
When my kids began to play youth soccer INORONO I hated soccer even more liked soccer even less. A bunch of little kids running up the field joined at the hip until every once in a while the ball squirted out.
Many of you will be surprised pleased to learn that my view of soccer has evolved, although I must admit that what I hate about youth soccer is the same thing that I love about it; that kids with no athletic ability whatsoever have the opportunity to play a team sport that would not have had that experience when I was their age. When I was 7, the kids with no athletic ability played the clarinet and never had the opportunity to be a part of a team on a sports field. Today many of those kids get to have that experience and while they may ultimately end up in the band (a team sport of its own) I believe they are better for having played this game.
Soccer at Orono High School over the last several years has been exceptionally exciting and has in no small part, contributed to my own evolution.
Just last Wednesday our Boys and Girls teams both played in the Eastern Maine Championship games. While both came away with heart-breaking losses, it is a testament to our kids, our coaches, our parents and our Middle School and Rec Department leagues that they were there.
Coach Caballero took over the Varsity Boys team last season after we lost a long-time coach, teacher and friend, Mr. Berthiaume to cancer. Mr. Caballero took this group and in just his second season brought the boys to within one win of playing for a State Championship.
Meanwhile for the girls, a virtual dynasty of sorts is underway.
For the fourth consecutive year, the Girls Varsity team played in the Eastern Maine Championship. Think about this. Each Senior has played in two State Championship games and four Eastern Maines. While the gold ball has thus-far eluded Coach Dyjak and his squads, the fact that the team is there every year says a LOT about him as a Coach. I think most of the girls really recognize how lucky they are to play for him and it shows in the way they play; with discipline, with skill and with class.
This year's loss for the girls in the Eastern Maine Championship game was a real heartbreaker. Down by three at half-time, they worked their way back to tie it. In the first overtime they hit the right post, hit the left post and hit the crossbar but just couldn't get the break they needed to win. The second overtime period saw similar action. Finally it came down to penalty kicks. Three rounds of penalty kicks were needed before finally succumbing to the ultimate State Champs.
I'm not a betting man but if I were, I'd bet that next year at this time, we'll be talking about another run at the State Title - and maybe even that gold ball.
What a great program. What a great legacy. What a great group of kids, coaches and parents here INORONO!
