Thank you 2d1dad for stating so much of what I have felt. My keeper daughter went out with a bang yesterday in our loss to Riverside and like you said, what a ride! South Aiken now has a steady, excellent coach but it wasn't always so, and similar to you, we had 3 coaches in the last four years. Our seniors, as sophomores, had a terrible coaching experience and many, if not most of our Lower State champion seniors were going to drop out of high school soccer. Coach Young has brought our program back. Good coaching is so important on a variety of levels. South Aiken has a very bright future for its women's soccer program and I expect them to be back in Columbia next year. The experience of this year will serve them well next year. Our seniors were fine yesterday but our younger girls were very nervous. Next year they will be experienced in championship play. All is a part of the ride and even in a loss, was fun to watch, and just made me love them more.
My daughter gets to move on to the the next level as do a couple more of our seniors. Others had the chance but have opted for other opportunities. As a keeper's dad, I guess I get to keep adding to my gray hair. However, as you have said, the highs and lows, the trips home in total silence, or total ecstasy, and too many discussions about second guesses, have been, in perfect hindsight, wonderful. A lot about life has been learned by me, my daughter, and all of our players. I am blessed to have been a part. Thanks again for your comments.
