What I learned about soccer players

After 9 years of watching my daughter play soccer - I'm officially a soccer mom.  We started cheering for her on the field as an energetic 4 year old.  It's hard for me to believe that my pony tailed  preschool girl is now a talented 13 year old with incredible speed and ball handling skills.  We've loved watching every stage of her soccer career and it's been amazing to watch her skills progress over the years.  I've also learned a thing or two about soccer since she started playing and I've come to realize that there are some traits that all female soccer players share - no matter how young or old. 

The top 10 things that I have learned about female soccer players:

 



1.  Soccer players are tougher than they look.  Don't be deceived by dainty bows or fancy braids in their hair, they will plow you over if they have to.

2.  Soccer players don't let wind or rain or even dark of night stop them from finishing a game.  In most cases, the wetter and muddier; the better.









3.  Soccer players know what it feels like to persevere through pain and injury.   In a sport where kicking is the name of the game, the occasional cleat to the shin is inevitable.   

4.  Soccer players don't like being pushed around.  Pushing or shoving a soccer player almost always results in some sort of retaliation. 



 








5.  Soccer players have to make selfless choices for the good of the team.  The best players know how to show their teammates respect on (and off) the field. 
 








6.  Soccer players use only one piece of protective equipment - and it has one major design flaw - it stinks!  Nothing smells worse than a pair of shin guards after an all day tournament on a hot day.







 

7.  Soccer player run their butts off.  For 60 minutes, soccer players run as fast as they can run, while controlling, passing and shooting a ball. 











8.  The smallest girl on the team will almost always be expected to defend the largest girl on the opposing team. 










9.  Soccer players are dramatic.  They will do whatever it takes to get the attention of the referee so that they can point out the penalties that he/she accidentally overlooked. 









10.  Soccer players eat a LOT!  It takes a lot of food to fuel the body of a soccer player. 

It's been a challenge to keep my hungry athlete full.  A couple of weeks ago, I made a big batch of sausage bread for that very reason.   This recipe makes 3 big loaves or 6 smaller loaves so there is plenty for dinner and enough leftover to put in the freezer for another day. 

Sausage Bread

3 cans crescent rolls                        2 teaspoons basil
2 pounds sausage                            2 teaspoons parsley
2 eggs, beaten                                 1 teaspoon garlic
1 cup Swiss cheese                          1 egg yolk, beaten
2 Tablespoons Parmesan cheese

Fry sausage.  Drain.

 

Add remaining ingredients.

 

Divide meat into thirds.  Spread each package of rolls into 2 rectangles.  Spread meat on top of dough and roll. 

Place seam side down on baking sheet.

Brush with egg yolk.

 Bake 30-40 minutes at 350.

 

Ciao!

Sausage Bread
3 cans crescent rolls                        2 teaspoons basil
2 pounds sausage                            2 teaspoons parsley
2 eggs, beaten                                 1 teaspoon garlic
1 cup Swiss cheese                          1 egg yolk, beaten
2 Tablespoons Parmesan cheese
Fry
sausage.  Drain.  Add remaining ingredients.  Divide meat into thirds.
Spread each package of rolls into a 15x15 inch square.  Spread meat on
top of dough and roll.  Place seam side down on baking sheet.  Brush
with egg yolk and bake 30-40 minutes at 350.