Last Friday, we had the joy of a half-day of school. The occasion? CVCA was once again in the Division 2 soccer state finals, and the administration wanted to give everyone a chance to go see the game.

Given the tough choice between going to see state-level soccer or staying at work, Mer and I quickly pointed the car towards Columbus. We were a little anxious when it started to sprinkle about 1/4 of the way there. We started getting worried when it started to rain 1/2 way there. We began planning contingency plans when it started pouring 3/4 of the way there.

Happily, the rain stopped as we got to Columbus. We got into the stadium and sat next to Phil and his wife, and then Dubbs and Joy came over and sat in front of us. The school had given out 500 CVCA towels as spirit and cheer things, and they came in very handy in wiping down our seats.

Things got under way around 3:30. I don’t know much about soccer, but it looked like our guys were not really sharp for most of the first half. Much of the half was played on our side of the field, and our passes were not crisp and accurate. We did score first, so that was exciting, but the other team tied it 1-1 (while I was in the bathroom, of course). End of first half – 1 to 1.

The second half opened with our guys playing much better. The field was reversed (ha!) and most of the game took place on the other team’s side of the field. They did manage to score, but then we scored about 90 seconds later. In the last three minutes, we had two balls bounce off the crossbar and out – it was really close. End of two halves – 2 to 2. (Oh – the downpour came back for much of the second half, so things were pretty wet. It seemed to take just a little speed off of the game.)

Soccer then goes into two 15-minute overtimes (if both are needed). The first overtime was played on our side of the field again (2-2 at end of 1st overtime), and then the sides switched again. A few minutes into the second overtime, we had a breakaway with an excellent pass and shot, and the ball went into the upper corner of the net. Our guys ran onto the field to celebrate the second state title in two years, and we were all going crazy. That is when people started to notice the side judge had called offsides (don’t ask me to explain what offsides is in soccer – it is a weird and complicated rule that I don’t think anyone really understands). Everyone calmed down and played the rest of the second overtime. It ended with a tie, 2-2.

Soccer then goes to perhaps the lamest way to decide a contest in all of sports – a shoot-out. 5 players from each team line up and shoot at the goal which is only defended by a goalie. The goalie basically can only guess which way the ball is going, and so jumps to the left or right when the ball is kicked. CVCA lost the shootout 4-3, so the final score was 3-2. (For those wondering, I would have the teams keep playing, but with one team missing a player for five minutes each – like a power play in hockey).

I was proud of how our students conducted themselves in the game and in receiving the runner-up medals. They never threw a fit on the field, and while downcast, they seemed gracious after the game. I heard that on one soccer discussion board, a man said that he was in a mall where the team went to eat, and he could not tell if they had won or lost because they were excited about their medals. Nice job, guys! What a great game it was.