soccer game

Papa’s World – ELLA’S SENIOR GAME DAY!

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This blog is about our granddaughter Ella – in her senior year at Randolph College!

She was so little when she first tied up her cleats that we called her “TINY”!

She was about four to five years old.

Her older sister had been playing since she was four years old.

During those early years – she suffered many injuries to her feet.

Turned ankles – small bones broken when she was stepped on by cleats.

But – while on crutches – she still attended the games and cheered them on.

After travel teams and graduating from H.S. –

she was recruited to Randolph College in Lynchburg, Va.

Her older sister played across town at the University of Lynchburg and was a player in her own right!

Ella became the first Freshman to start and play every minute of her games that Freshman year.

Here are the three granddaughters-

Sarah on the left – Ella and Maddy on the right.

She no longer was “TINY”!

Growing into a 5′ 9″ power-playing midfielder!

She became a captain in her Sophomore year –

And met her sister at midfield when Maddy was a senior!

That year they played against each other on the pitch.

She played every game and almost every minute.

Ella and her close friends through the years from the team

Then – after the season was over and in the Spring of her Sophomore year-

The unthinkable happens – in their round-up practice –

She inadvertently stepped on the ball and pain shot up and down her leg!

Her oldest friends from H.S.

She was in so much pain she couldn’t sleep.

Then was when a very long process began –

Doctors – Xrays – PT – MRI – endless doctor visits – traveling to Hospitals –

It was devastating to her – crutches –

And no one had answers.

She still was captain in her Junior year –

But her time was limited.

The pain soon became normal –

Ice packs on her knee even though there was no tear.

Her family and friends stood by her –

A PT she knew in Lynchburg started deep massages on her leg and it helped.

Now it is her senior year – and another freak step –

this time her knee.

She was determined to go forward –

playing time came less and less and the pain more so than ever.

Here she is on her SENIOR day – knee wrapped but she played.

She is a trooper.

Her first two years showed so much promise – but the last two were memories she hoped to forget.

Ella – standing after the game – her knee wrapped in ice.

Her cheering section could be heard the entire game.

The season is over –

She will graduate with two degrees!

What could have been – wasn’t to be –

but this young lady taught us all a lesson.

STRIVE TO MEET YOUR GOALS – PLAY TO ACHIEVE THEM –

and when the odds are against you –

know that you gave all and in the minds of those who love you –

YOU SUCEEDED!

#10 – SENIOR ELLA MYERS – RANDOLPH COLLEGE, VA.

PAPA’S WORLD – ELLA’S SENIOR GAME DAY!

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Papa’s World – A tropical storm – watching Ella play soccer!

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The whole family made their way to Lynchburg, Va. To watch granddaughter Ella play soccer

during a Tropical storm!

We were standing in the rain – which sometimes poured but the game continued as there was no lightning!

Debby, Sherry, Marcus, Tammy, and Papa were above us!

The team huddled at the beginning of the second half – and it rained way beyond the end of the game.

Family cheering from above us – we were heard loud and clear!

The family huddled with umbrellas – alas they lost for the second time this year and the record stood at

5 wins and two losses!

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PAPA’S WORLD – A TROPICAL STORM – WATCHING ELLA PLAY SOCCER AT RANDOLPH COLLEGE.

Papa’s World – In the wind and rain of a Tropical Storm – we watched our granddaughter play soccer!

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This was the storm that came into Va. and turned North – lots of rain – and strong winds.

We all met in Lynchburg,Va. at Randolph College to watch our Ella play.

Although they lost – they still are 5 wins and 2 losses.

It rained the entire game and at times poured – the field is artificail but slippery!

A view of the field from the stands.

Family of grandkids and boyfriend encouraging them on.

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Papa’s World – our grandson Bode – another soccer player in the family!

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In the center of this picture – Ella to the left and Maddy to the right – Ella will be a junior at Randolf College – and has started every game in her two-year career in college soccer – Maddy – who just graduated from the University of Lynchburg –

Played four years of soccer – third-team all-conference as a Sophomore – second-team all-conference as a junior and team captain her senior year – twice in four years going to the NCAA tournament and in her senior year winning the ODAC conference.

Ella at mid-field and Maddy at striker on the left side.

Now we have Bode – in the black attacking the ball and taking it away from the player in white!

He plays the left-side striker like Maddy.

He will be the next to go on to become a very good soccer player and he loves also playing Hockey!

Here he makes a pass down the sideline to a teammate at which time he raced ahead toward the middle and took the pass back from his teammates.

He took the pass and dribbled in among four players and broke free!

Breaking free he goes straight to the goal and scores the first of his two goals and just missed a third one!

Here he caught up to a ball in the air and knocked it down to dribble on toward his second goal!

Here he is just before the ball went into the air and he knocked it down and scored his second goal!

He is only eight years old and already has the sense of playing soccer much like his two older cousins!

Bode – our eight-year-old grandson who I think will follow in the footsteps of his father and his two older cousins in soccer!

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BODE AND HIS TWO SISTERS – CASSIDY ON THE LEFT AND TAYLOR ON THE RIGHT!

Papa’s World – The joy of college and soccer – Maddy!

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Our granddaughter – Maddy – this is her!

Never the selfish one – always the one who gives – both in life and college and on the pitch in soccer.

She works hard – her degree will be in Engineering Science – a 3.85 GPA.

Maddy is on the right with her teammates and roommate.

She is up early before sunrise to hike and run – when she visited us this last spring – she was on the beach for sunrise – capturing pictures and filming – her minor is Photography.

She runs – she hikes mountains – and most of all – a team player.

Maddy – not celebrating her own goal – but that of a teammate – that is Maddy!
This is her and her life.

She distributes the soccer ball from the left wing position – pinpoints passing and so fast in doing so.

She loves to score – but she loves to see others do the same.

Number 13 Maddy – celebrating teammate’s score.

Dedication for four years straight – a team award for going above the recommended physical fitness regimen for her team. The BELL AWARD was given to those players pictured here and for four straight years, Maddy has achieved that award from her coach.

Maddy was second from left – four years straight given this award from the coach and team captain her senior year.

The four years have gone by so fast – she has done this on her own since she was a sophomore in H.S.

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Papa’s World – The joy of college and soccer – MADDY!

Papa’s World – When sisters compete on the soccer pitch – one last time – priceless – both captains!

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Randolph College – the University of Lynchburg – one a sophomore – the other a senior.

Both colleges are in Lynchburg, Va. Ella is a sophomore, Randolph – and Maddy is a senior.- Lynchburg.

Both start on their teams – Maddy a wing and Ella midfielder.

Sad this most likely will be the last game they play against each other – but as a family – MEMORIES!

Captains meeting midfield – Ella middle on left in white – Maddy on the right – middle in black.

Shaking hands

And then THE HANDSHAKE AMONG SISTERS! MEMORY!
And then the procession out onto the pitch – Number 10 white – Ella and number 13 black – Maddy.

For us as grandparents and as mother and father – there is no winner and no loser !

For the granddaughters – bittersweet as for the second time – Maddy’s team has won.

Ella never came out of the game – and she has now started and played every game as a freshman

and now as a sophomore – the only freshman to accomplish that.

She will be a very good player when it is all said and done.

Maddy is ending her career for a third straight year as a starter.

Lynchburg has gone to the NCAA tournament for 16 straight and won a national title in 2016.

Wearing the same numbers all the way through – youth – travel and HS teams.

Since they both could walk with their father working with them on ball handling and passing – shooting and footwork – they both take the corner kicks for their teams.

Today Ella has grown so tall – almost 5’10”

Maddy will graduate in Engineering Science with now a 3.85 GPA!

No one lost here – proud parents Debby and Mike – the tradition of the family – love of soccer and life.

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD and WHEN SISTERS MEET ON THE SOCCER PITCH!

PAPA’S WORLD – no losers – only WINNERS!

Randolph – wins – 4 losses -1 – ties – 2 Lynchburg – wins – 3 – losses – 1- ties – 4

Papa’s World – ELLA – playing college soccer.

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ELLA MYERS

Our granddaughter – Ella – became the second sister to play college soccer –

Her sister Maddy is a senior wing for the Unversity of Lynchburg in Va.

Ella is now a Sophomore and started and played every game as a Freshman – the first player that the coach said has done this.

And that string has progressed through seven more games this year.

Number 10 Ella Myers for Randolph College in Lynchburg, Va.

He only takes her out for a short rest and most times he doesn’t take her out.

She is really good at middle defense and passing the ball.

Her position is forward midfield.

Ella – taking a corner lick – this year she has taken all of them when she is in the game.

Ella with the ball in an Orange vest warming up.

Crossing the mid-field line – Ella playing her position
on a forward mid-fielder.

She has become a good – steady player for the program.

Soccer and college are now her life and she is living it to the plus.

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PAPA’S WORLD

Papa’s World – another generation of soccer begins – Cassidy and Bode!

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Cassidy is to the far right – she is taller than the rest of the co-ed team!

Cassidy decided that this was the year she wanted to play soccer –

after a few years of on and off again.

The Pandemic played a role in that –

I was impressed when she went one-on-one with another boy from the other team.

She held her own and took the ball from him!

MorMor and Cassidy – she calls her MorMor every week – or zooms.

She is quick and fast – but I also see her hesitate when in a scrum –

but I think she will outgrow that as she plays more and more.

They have her in the back to play defense much as they did when her cousins

Maddy and Ella played.

Bode attacking with the ball.

Bode is fast – aggressive and quick – playing the front –

he needs to get his skills and I see that coming along quickly.

He is going to be tall like Taylor – ( who now rides horses bareback! )

Bode also is the tallest on his team.

Bode is a natural in whatever he does. A good athlete.

I see him developing into a very fast-aggressive soccer player.

Their soccer season has come to an end.

We got back up there to watch them both play their last games for this year.

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Papa’s World – some random thoughts and pictures – “DAYS OF MY LIFE”!

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Our granddaughter – number 13 – she deked this player out and went right past her!

She is now a Junior at the Unversiy of Lynchburg in Va. Starting the last two years – and only one loss this season – currently sole possession of first place in their conference.

Papa – Maddy Myers – Sherry

This young lady not only starts and plays most of the entire games – but is a ALL ACADEMIC –

Into hiking – sunrises – and her major is Enviromental Engineering.

And coming down the soccer pipe line – is the youngest and only boy – BODE!

Will soon turn eight and already golfs with his dad – is all boy – bikes – running –

always looks at trucks – barefooted while outside – cold weather and all.

Loves and adores his older cousin Ella who as a Freshmen at Randolph College –

starts at midfield and plays most of the whole games.

I believe Bode will be the same!

FAMILY
Beyond those protected trees is our backyard and our home!

This drainage ditch is at the end of the cul de sac –

and allows the runoff to make its way to a very large second pond in the development.

We have seen a gator in each pond!

And we found some unknown tracks in this ditch going back and forth.

I told Sherry not to get too close to the high grass as we also have snakes around here.

Just down the street – two houses – two pictures were taken in the road –

A small gator was on its way to a third pond up the road and a large copperhead was also there.

Not at the same time – but N.C, has them both where we live.

I have also seen a very large black snake – which are good as they kill the copperheads!

All part of living in the South near the marsh and beaches!

Cassidy and Marley on football game day!

At least three times a week – she either calls her MorMor or zooms!

Sherry is MorMor – Swedish for Mothers- Mother!

She is very close to her and is the one who does not want us to leave

or asks when we are coming again.

She is sweet – but also very determined and head strong.

Marley is the new puppy – a GoldenDoodle –

who judging by her legs and feet – is going to be very large!

She is loving – likes to run and pull her leash – Taylor – Cassidy’s sister –

is the one who handles her the best.

She nips and chases both Bode and Cassidy!

Our front porch in October – Low 80’s to high 70’s in the daytime

low 70’s at night – beautiful weather – slight warm breezes – why we moved here!

Front porch sitting early morning with my coffee on this glider!

Protected from the sun and rain when it blows the other way.

I told Sherry – we had to have a front porch and this is one of the models

along with a office room – that was available!

The office was her wish list!

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Papa’s World – Granddaughters – Maddy and Ella – College Soccer – same conference – different schools – game on!

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Maddy – our oldest granddaughter – entering her third year at the UNIVERSITY of LYNCHBURG!

She has like it seems played soccer all her life – since she was old enough to put on a uniform.

Always the smallest on the field – at first the ball was almost bigger than her!

But – in her Junior HS year she had a grwoth spurt – and ended up being 5′ 6″ tall and a star soccer player.

She went to Lynchburg and as a Freshman played in 13 games and starting last year as a starter.

This past weekend – in their first game – lost a hard fought game to a team from Florida – a very good non division team – 2 to 1 – but the write up was about how she played and the skill set she brings – almost several times bringing them back for a tie.

She has excelled and is one of the best players on a very young team – starting 7 Freshman.

The Freshman are all big – 5′ 11″ to 6.0 ‘ tall and all really good.

They won their second game 6 to 0 over a team from NY city.

Ella Myers – # 10 – a 5′ 9″ freshman at Randolph College in Lynchburg Va. just ten minutes away from her sister Maddy.

She was recruited by two schools and in a preseason interview – her now coach said –

“Ella Myers – will play and get a lot of minutes at midfielder”!

She has started all the preseason games – and both regular season games – and played almost the entire games!

They have won both games and in the second game – a 0 to 0 tie going into minute 64 of the second half –

she scored her first college goal in what would be the winning goal – ( one was added later) as a Freshmen.

She had a very hard journey to get here –

breaking a bone in each foot at different years –

losing a couple years of playing plus not having a couch that believed in her playing!

Yet – TWO COLLEGE coaches saw the potential and recruited her.

Her HS team came within one goal of a state championship!

She just missed by inches of scoring that goal!

HER MOTTO I have given her –

” I AM A SKILLED PLAYER – and NOW HERE I AM”!

Both of them overcame the odds – from being the smallest with huge skills – from overcoming broken bones and a coach who did not believe in her – to both of them starting on their respective COLLEGE SOCCER TEAMS!

And YES – they will play against each other come Ocrober 6th.

and we plan on being there to see it!

Cheering both of them on – a win for us no matter the outcome.

Sarah who is fifthteen – could of been just as good had she continued –
Maddy – oldest and still the smallest of the three girls and Ella –
proud of all three –
you go Sarah and reach for the stars in your own dreams!

It will be a grand time watching this match and who knows – if the teams continue winning meeting in a playoff.

SISTERS
So proud of you Ella for showing them what they had and how they overlooked you!

” I AM A SKILLED PLAYER – AND NOW HERE I AM”

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Papa’s World – She will turn 18 this summer – it seems like yesterday she was Tiny – Ella College – Randolph College Va.

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Ella – our second oldest granddaughter – enrolling in Randolph College in Lynchburg Va.

We called her “TINY” as she was growing up –

Her father came up with that nickname –

Today she stands 5′ 8 1/2 ” –

Our little girl is all grown up!

Along with her entrance into the four year program – she will also play college soccer – being recruited – she had two schools to select from – and it just so happens to be cross town from the University of Lynchburg – where her sister starts on the soccer team there – and yes they will compete against one another!
Ella with her mother Debby – all three granddaughters are as tall or taller than their mother. Debby’s mother – Sherry – is 5′ 9″ – so they are most likely inheriting the Swedish genes from her.
It is a beautiful campus – nestled in the foothills surrounding Lynchburg.
The soccer field a easy walk from the dorms.
Ella with her father Mike.

She endured two injuries during her Middle school and H.S.

Both were broken bones in her feet.

One she was stepped on with a cleat

and the other she just landed wrong on it.

She lost two seasons of playing soccer

but when she did – was recruited by two different colleges.

Today she walks the path to her future!

Due to the Pandemic – her H.S. soccer season was moved from the fall to the spring.

She is about to begin playing –

Her travel soccer was played although the number of games reduced.

She competed and will move onto the next level in the Fall.

Ella and Sarah – sisters.

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WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY

FAMILY MEETS FRIENDS!

Sherry and Ella

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Papa’s World – Last tournament – travel soccer

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She is quiet – except when she smiles – laughs –

caring – always thoughtful – kind –

little ones love her –

they can tell right away.

Ella – our second oldest grand daughter

Ella number 10 on the move soccer her passion

Along with her older sister – she loves soccer.

Maddy plays for University of Lynchburg – in Va. she is a sopomore.

Ella is a senior in James Wood H.S.

But also played for Blue Ridge United Soccer in Winchester Va.

For the last four years – she has experienced broken bones in her feet.

Slowing her down – but determined to come back and play once again.

Ella is tall – almost 5′ 9″

She has made up for lost time –

almost half her years of playing went away with the broken bones.

She never quit – attending games on crutches.

She still has her H.S. senior year to play – if they can – in the Spring!

Now the good news !

She has TWO OFFERS to attend Universities and a spot on each team!

She is excited – but has choices to make.

F.A.I.L. this is Ella!

She will make some coach a diamond in the rough.

Sprinting ahead to the goal with the ball

Determined – athletic – and some day will play against her older sister!

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WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY

FAMILY MEETS FRIENDS!

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Papa’s World – Senior night

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The last regular game of the season – soccer – girls – both J.V. and Varsity.

Seven seniors – four have played together for 10 plus years.

Our granddaughters – Maddy Meyers – varsity – & Ella Myers J.V. – both play for James Wood H.S. in Winchester Va.

The J.V. team – Ella is the starting Midfielder – finished the season 10 wins 2 losses 3 ties .

The Varsity – Maddy is the starting Midfielder – finished the season 12 wins 3 losses & 1 tie – having defeated the teams they lost to and tied.

Seven Seniors

We have watched – traveled all over the East Coast – stayed in hotels – packed food – eaten out – made friends with other parents and grand parents – for over eight years.

NUMBER 9 – MADDY MYERS

And sadly – it is about to come to a end – well – almost – as Ella will be playing the next two years !

Maddy – who is district all conference – will attend the University of Lynchburg Va. on a letter of intent – starting this Summer as all incoming Freshmen report for a week of camp for Soccer.

Debby and Mike being escorted onto the field by Ella.

Now – the district playoffs begin – James Wood is the number two seed – it was a four way race – the tie kept them out of first place – as that team ended up in first with one more win.

Debby – Maddy – Mike

Very proud on what she has accomplished – as a Freshman – she started Varsity – she also opted on her own – to move from the Winchester travel team – to Loudoun County soccer travel – the RED TEAM – D.C. area – higher competition – traveling the entire East Coast for weekend tournaments – driving 60 miles each way three times a week for practice – ( her mother Freshman – Sophomore and Junior years driving ) winning the ESPN tournament if Orlando Fla. when she was a junior.

All the while maintaining a 4 . 10 GPA – taking college courses – very – very proud of this young lady.

She selected the college from a list of 4 or 5 – and is now ready to move on – with a lot of emotional tears from her parents.

NUMBER NINE MADDY

It will be different next year as number NINE moves on – to be filled by number TEN as Ella moves up.

A host of records were set this year by the team – and Maddy and Katie P ( # 13 ) – who have played together for over 10 years – she is attending DeSales University in Pa. – with Maddy playing Midfielder and Katie forward – Katie broke the school record in scoring 74 goals and assists. They play so well together.

Maddy shot on goal.

Soon – graduation is right around the corner – but first there are the State playoffs. I do not know how far they will go – but I do know how far they have come – from little girls playing co-ed – to grown ladies – playing the best competition they could on the East coast.

Maddy taking a header in the middle toward the goal

So today we move on – Friday is the playoff game – hoping they place to move on for states – our little grand daughter all grown up.

Sherry – Maddy – Tom

The next step- University of Lynchburg HORNETS – going to be some awesome road trips !

I hope you enjoy my tribute to one we have loved for 18 years –

one who I remember picking up from the babysitter –

and her saying from the back seat –

” PACA – LETS SING OLD MCDONALD HAD A FARM ”

Yes we will little one – yes we will !

#homeagain #papa’sworld

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