Bring on the Boys

In order to find some challenge competition prior to our sure-to-be-super-tough weekend in Chicago coming up, we lined up a scrimmage on Sunday against the MTW (formerly the Wings SC) U12 boys.  They were short numbers for the Sunday morning friendly so invited a handful of U13 boys to play with them.  

I had registered my last team in the U12 Boys Fall League when they were U12s (see Bring on the Boys here).  It was a great experience for our group.  There was no competition at our age group/gender at that time and playing up meant playing against more physical players.  Playing the boys at U12 actually gave us a physical advantage, and their quickness and athleticism gave us the challenge we were seeking.  I've never again registered a girls team in a boys league as it wasn't a good experience for the boys getting beat by girls.  All these kids play against each other on the school playgrounds, but I think the parents of the boys had a problem with it.  I also think that MYSA made a rule change after this fall season to prevent girls teams from competing in boys leagues. 

Beautiful morning out at the Gleason play field in Maple Grove.  I joked with the Babo's when I arrived, saying that I didn't know I was going to Montana for the game this morning.  It was a long haul from Woodbury.  They calmly suggested that I try and make the trip 3 or 4 times a week, a route they know well bringing Babes to Woodbury for training. 

Huge field.  120x75 and in great condition. 

The girls actually played pretty well.  The boys were technical and quick but our girls were tough, strong, and fast.  The U13s that MTW had playing with them were too much for us to handle though in the end.  They scored 3 goals on us and we tallied one.  Fun experience for the girls for sure!