Day 4: July 22nd

Today is game day! This morning the girls are ready to go to their first match against Lewes, but first we have a training session to prepare for the afternoon. After breakfast (some more potatoes) we headed onto the field. The weather started out sunny and cool, great hockey weather. Matt, Harriett, Tom and Dave split the girls up into the 3 groups. Each group worked on more tactical skills to prepare for the competition they were going to face in the afternoon. With lots of small sided games, the girls seemed ready and eager to play their first match (or just excited for the BBQ afterwards)

 As the girls finished their lunch, we headed right to the bus to head off to Lewes. With the weather looking like it might rain, the girls were prepared with an extra set of warm clothing for the BBQ afterwards. Of course the bus ride there was filled with singing, dancing and even some high school musical. The girls alternated the speaker with their music as well as the South American girls to get pumped up for the games. As we got to Lewes, the rain really started to pick up (seemed like buckets were being dropped) Mostly all English pitches will have a clubhouse attached or near it. The clubhouse is wear the players will change and shower after the matches, enjoy a nice tea, coffee, beer and meal afterwards. Matches here are a very social event.

 The first game was the younger group of girls. Some girls were even able to play in both games. With the rain still coming down, it sure didn't stop the girls from playing amazing! With the first goal in around 5 minutes the team started clicking. As halftime approached the score was 2 - 0, Aly playing amazing in goal! The rain still didn't seem to hold up much, almost felt like we fast forwarded time and we were in late Fall. Again, still didn't stop the girls from scoring and ending with a win! With the final score of 4-1, the girls were ecstatic! As we ended the game, we exchanged gifts. The Lewes team gave our team captain, Gia, a tea towel and a poster/map of the town Lewes.

The second game was underway and thankfully the sun started coming out! From the start, the game was a battle. The level of skill from the Lewes team was amazing to watch. With Lewes being first to score, we were able to rebuttal right afterwards.  The final score of 2-1, us taking home a second W! Both games were very fun to watch and see the girls progress as a team (especially with some of the girls communicating in Spanish). Gifts were exchanged and everyone was very eager to get some food in their stomachs!

The Lewes clubhouse had picnic tables outside which all teams sat at. Us coaches gave the girls their space and let them talk and sit with all the Lewes players. The BBQ was amazing! Burgers, potatoes, pasta salads, something that gave the girls a little taste of home. At the end of the BBQ some of the players were even exchanging instagrams and adding each other on snapchat! Needless to say I definitely think the girls had a good time.

As we boarded the bus all the girls had a smile on their face from ear to ear. Both teams coming home with the win! We even heard it all the way home on the bus as everyone sang "All I do is Win" to celebrate! Hopefully none of them will be too sore tomorrow as we head to Portsmouth for the day to do some cite seeing.