An Ocoee Adventure

 

This adventure began in July with running, running and more running.  The Valley Futbol Club U14 Arsenal (VFC 98 Arsenal) had begun practice.

Many hours since then have been spent training 17 young men the game of soccer, with one of the objectives being to raise high the Division II (DII) State Cup at the end of the fall season in November.

As these young men are learning valuable soccer skills, they too are learning valuable life skills.

They are required to communicate with one another, exhibit sportsmanship among themselves and their opponents, and they are taught respect for the game, for others, and for themselves.

As the VFC 98 Arsenal crossed the halfway point in their season, they traveled to Cleveland, TN to participate in the 15th annual Ocoee Cup tournament held September 24-25th.

There were eight U14 teams divided into two four-team brackets.  Each team had to play the others in their bracket and earn points in order to advance to the final game.  The teams were guaranteed at least three games with the fourth and final game reserved for the top team in the ‘A’ bracket and the ‘B’ bracket.

The VFC 98 Arsenal played two games on Saturday with their third game scheduled for Sunday afternoon.

The afternoon game time presented an opportunity for the team to do a family activity.  But what is there to do in the Cleveland, TN area?  Whitewater rafting on the Ocoee River, that’s what!

On Sunday morning 34 players, coaches, and family members set out from Outland Expeditions to raft the Ocoee River.

The five-mile long rafting portion of the trip lasted about an hour and a half but the memories will last a lifetime.  As we rafted rapids ranging from Class 1 to Class 4, you could hear the excitement from everyone involved including the raft guides.  In the end, no one in our party of 34 fell out of their boat and had to swim any rapids.

If you are wondering about the weather in late September, the weather and water were perfect for rafting; not too cold and not too hot.

Returning to the soccer field for our third game, we found out that we still had a chance to earn enough points to play in the final game.  The VFC 98 Arsenal went about their business and earned a spot in the final game held later that night.  We had topped the ‘B’ bracket.

The final game was an epic event!  The VFC 98 Arsenal faced off against the tournament’s host club U14 team.  It was the Arsenal that scored first within two minutes of the game starting.  After the first half (35 minutes) the score was tied one to one.  At the end of regulation (70 minutes) the game was still tied but each team had gained another goal.

Typically a soccer match can end in a tie but to crown a tournament champion the game moved into overtime.  The first 10 minute overtime period came and went as both teams continued to give 100%.  With one minute left in the second overtime, the other team was able to find the back of the net and won the game off of a very well placed pass and header.

Heartbreak?  Maybe a little.  Skills, life experiences, and memories that will last a lifetime?  Definitely!

VFC is a youth soccer club in Madison that seeks to develop players and provide growth opportunities through affiliation with the Alabama Youth Soccer Association and by following the US Soccer curriculum.  VFC seeks to provide a year-round experience which includes fall and spring state league play, camps, clinics, and indoor experiences.  For more information please contact Nathan Carlisle at nathan.carlisle@yahoo.com.

By Lee Fuller