US Youth Soccer Region IV

July 28, 2006

Last night we lost our game against Pennsylvania 3-2. It was a disappointing loss, but we still had a chance to move on if we won our next game by 2 goals.

This morning we woke up at 8 am for breakfast. Around 11 am our team made our way to the lobby to hop onto the shuttle to take us to our game. We were pumped up for our game against Chicago. Our 12:30 game was in the hot humid sun, and that weather factor took a toll on our team. We played well and gave it all we had, but we did not prevail. We ended up losing 3-1. We had a medal ceremony after our game and received our bronze medals, indicating that we are third in the nation. We had a great season and we could not have asked for a more eventful 8 years.

Beautiful!!!!

Sincerely,

Shannon Lacy

Michaela DeJesus

Rachael Jones

July 27, 2006

Last night we dressed in western/cowgirl attire for a hefty barbeque dinner. This consisted of ribs, chicken, steak, corn, cornbread, potato wedges, Buffalo wings, vegetables, beans, and COLESLAW!! Yeehaw!! After our bellies were buldging..literally...players, parents, and coaches met in a meeting room back at the hotel. Because of our graduating seniors (tear!) leaving just a few days after we get back to California we would not have time for an end of the year team banquet, so this took place of one. In this emotion filled hour the parents were recognized for their dedication, the coaches were given quilts made out of t-shirts from each of the girls, and seniors gave their last see you later, not good-bye to the team. These words given by the seniors were heart felt letters and speeches that had all of us crying including coaches. After these bittersweet presentations all players, coaches, and parents gathered in a group hug celebrating our resemblance as a family rather than just a team. When the banquet was finished some of the girls decided to go for a quick swim to soak our strong, hard-working, sore muscles. We were then off to bed after our chaperone

collected our cell phones like they did every night in regionals and every night this trip.

This morning we got to sleep in. We had a nice, little knock at 10am on our door and outside of our door was a buffet of bagels and juice on an ironing board prepared by our lovely mothers. We then embarked on a walk through the skywalk. This is an indoor walkway that connects different buildings throughout Des Moines. We chose this indoor route because it was raining cats and dogs outside. There was also lightning that pushed all of the morning games forward two hours. Luckily, because of the large time gap between games, our game time did not get changed. After the walk the players and coaches gathered in Salon a small meeting room where we discussed what we need to improve on from yesterday in today's match. With two hours to kill, like a mockingbird, the team hung out in room 915 to watch the HILARIOUS movie Benchwarmers (highly recommended). After comedy hour we switched gears to a more emotional side with a mother-daughter luncheon held in the hotel. There was a slideshow of photos all throughout State-Cup, Regionals, pasta feeds etc. After we devoured our food the senior moms were recognized for their contribution to the Blast family throughout all of the years. Bracelets were given, tears were shed, and another memory was created. We now find ourselves waiting to face our next opponent.

Sincerely,

Lindsay Morgan Pierce.

Gabrielle Marie Parisella

Bria Mackenzie Park

July 26, 2006

Yesterday, we woke up at 7:00 to have a training at the random fields out in the middle of nowhere! It was pouring rain and there was thunder and lightning very, very close to the field. We finally got out the field and have an amazing practice, full of team handball and shooting. After training, we rushed back to the hotel to get ready for the Nationals Luncheon.

It was nice to everyone dressed up, including our coaches, in shirt and tie! After a picture session that lasted an hour or so, we made it to the convention center and sat down with all the teams from Region IV. Lunch was great, the speaker was inspirational, and the videos were a highlight! We hung out at the hotel for a couple hours after, and then drove to Clive for a player/coach dinner. When we came back from dinner, we found everyone in our hotel in the lobby and the lights were off. Turns out the storm had blown out the power! We had an hour to bond with the u-17 boys at the tournament! After a team meeting, we went to bed early for our 8:30 game the next day!

Today we woke up at 6:00 to get ready for our game against Dallas Texas Red. We ate breakfast and rode to the field together on the Marriott shuttle bus. We tied our game 1-1. After scoring in the first three minutes, we were able to hold the Texans until about the last three minutes. We were frusterated to tie, but we are looking forward to our next game against Eastern Pennsylvania, tomorrow at 7:00 pm. Tonight, we have a western themed barbeque dinner with gifts ands awards. Sounds like fun!

July 24, 2006

We awoke this morning to surprising raindrops! Raindrops proceeded down our faces as well, as we woke up at 8 AM in Iowa, but 6 AM in California time! This didn't matter, however, because we knew the training was necessary before we began our journey with this amazing team. We began to practice and the rain finally let up. We had a very positive training and grew acclimated to the very different climate away from Danville. We then came back and grabbed some lunch, watched some tv, and relaxed. This continued on through the day, as we caught a 4:10 showing of the hilarious "You, Me, and Dupree"! This was followed by dinner at a neighborhood Italian Restaurant where the team chowed down, as usual. We came back to the hotel to have a team meeting with Pat and Doug!!!!! We then went off to our rooms to get a great night sleep before tomorrow!

ps. We have yet to see one teenage boy in our hotel.

Love and miss ya D-Ville!

Nat Weeks

Issa Zamora

Heather Vandevanter