Well the first games of the season are complete. Nothing like starting off the season right where we left off, cold and windy. I drove three hours to get to Decorah for a youth soccer game (U-13 Girls). It was somewhat warm in Minnesota before I left and slowly got colder as I approached Rochester. Once I got past Rochester the temp dropped and the wind and rain started. However it was just a lite rain but very windy. Well I got to the field and the field is located across the dike next to the high school soccer field. One of the windiest places I have ever reffed. Well anyway back to the story, I got there and one of my assistants beat me to the games (unheard of in youth soccer!). Anyway we walked to our spot and got ready to go, and then my other assistant shows up. He kind of had cocky attitude, but not over the top, just normal for his age. As we got closer to starting I realized that I left my flags in my car (my nice ones that I love to use, because they look professional). Any way I ran to get them because the other assistant didn’t have the best looking ones. Once I got back the assistant that showed up late said, “his were just as good as those for this game. It’s just Decorah United.” While I didn’t say anything to him about that comment it got me thinking inside, that while it might not be the most professional game it is still very important to the kids and the parents and we as officials need to portray that attitude (that each game is like the world cup final). My first impression of him was no matter what call he made would come with a big wave of doubt because of his attitude toward the game. However, getting past that was quick because I always trust my AR’s (for the most part). As the game progressed nothing was really happening, Decorah was getting scored on pretty quick and the game was well out of their reach. The only real “incident” happened in the second half when a Decorah girl tripped a Waukon girl. Not a hard trip or foul just basic. Then as the Decorah girl was getting up her teammate came over and gave her a high five, in front of the Waukon parents. Well I thought I could just turn a blind eye to it and nothing would happen but then I heard the Waukon parents saying, “that’s unsporting, that’s not sportsman like”. So to diffuse the situation I stop the restart and brought both girls over and said, “First off, that foul was tactical, second, if I see you two slapping hands like that again I will card you, understand?” The parents love it and didn’t say another word about it for the rest of the game. Overall a little kid could have reffed that game without a problem.
On Tuesday I had my first high school game of the year, Decorah vs. Waverly-Shell Rock. A girls varsity and jv double header. I didn’t know what to epect, for some reason I could only remember a slower game. This game was well played, a little sloppy but still good. Only two fouls in the first half and four goals. Decorah was down 4-0 at half time. We started the second half and the game progressed, both teams had some good chances on goal. However, Decorah was just a little off (probably a little early season rust). I’m sure it will come off within the next couple games. Overall it wasn’t a bad game. Both AR’s were very good. I can’t say enough about them, good machinics and skill. Game reports for both below.
Decorah United vs. Waukon
Gender: Female
Age Group: U-13
Level: N/A
Position: Referee
Game Length: 70 mins – Full Time
Final Score: Decorah – 0, Waukon – 5
Cards: None
Mile Ran: 2.75
Decorah vs. Waverly-Shell Rock
Gender: Female
Age Group: High School
Level: Varsity
Position: Referee
Game Length: 80 mins – Full Time
Final Score: Decorah – 0, Waverly-Shell Rock – 4
Cards: None
Miles Ran: 4.76
Decorah vs. Waverly-Shell Rock
Gender: Female
Age Group: High School
Level: Junior Varsity
Position: Assistant Referee
Game Length: 40 mins – Full Time
Final Score: Decorah – 0, Waverly-Shell Rock – 2
Cards: None
Miles Ran: 1.11
