Nebraska/Utah Trip 2016 - Day 15

After losing their game last evening, Isabelle's team had to play the same team again today for the championship of their tournament age bracket division (U-12, Gold).

It was a great game.  Both teams are very well coached and played hard.  Isabelle's team seemed to play with a little more energy and intensity than yesterdays game.  The game was scoreless until the last two minutes when Isabelle's team scored a goal on a direct kick. They then held off the other team until the game ended, winning the game 1-0 and the tournament championship.

We then went out to lunch at a great Italian restaurant and said our goodbyes until next time to Brian, April and Isabelle.

After returning to the RV we did the laundry and started getting ready for our trip over the mountains tomorrow.  We are travelling over the Rockies to Moab, Utah for our visit to the first national park we plan to visit on the way home (Arches National Park).  Right now the weather looks good over the mountain passes, but it will be long day.  We are planning to get an early start to try and beat afternoon thunderstorms and mountain winds.

We had a great family visit and really enjoyed Cole's graduation and Isabelle's soccer tournament. 

Day 15 Pictures

Nebraska/Utah Trip 2016 - Day 14

More soccer today -  Isabelle's team had two games.  The first one was this morning at 9:30 am and the second one was at 6:00 pm.  They won the first game and lost the second one by 1-0.  The team that beat them this afternoon is a Colorado team and both teams have the same tournament record and point differential so they will meet in the championship game for their age group division tomorrow morning.

The weather was great for the morning game  but the afternoon game was threatened  by typical Rockies east slope thunderstorms this time of year.  Thankfully, the storms missed the sports complex and there were no weather delays.  The wind did pick-up however and it cooled down considerably.

Between games we all went to a nearby Panera and had a nice lunch.

Isabelle's team was disappointed they didn't win their second game today but are looking forward to beating the same team tomorrow.

Day 14 Pictures

Nebraska/Utah Trip 2016 - Day 13

Today was the first day of Isabelle's soccer tournament.  The tournament is being held at a fantastic sports complex in Aurora, CO about 20 miles east of where we are staying in Golden. It appears there are more than 50 fields and facilities that can accommodate  a wide range of recreational activities including soccer, baseball, basketball, tennis and maybe even football.  The field Isabelle's team played on had an artificial surface and was equippped with lights for night games.

The soccer tournament this weekend is hosted by a large Denver soccer club (Real Colorado) and attracts teams from all over Colorado and the .surrounding states  There must be over 50 teams participating, all divided into boys and girls age brackets and skill levels.

Isabelle's team competes in the U-12 girls division for girls born in 2003/2004.  They won their first two games against teams from Colorado and Texas today.  Her team is very good and regularly wins tournaments throughout the mid western region where they participate.

All the players in the tournament also receive tickets to a MLS Colorado Rapids soccer game. The Rapids are the Denver area's MLS professional soccer team and regularly schedule a home game the Saturday night of the tournament.  We all went to the game and saw the home team tie with the Philadelphia Union team.

There are two more games tomorrow then a championship game on Monday if they make the finals.

 Day Pictures 13