Memories

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As fall rolls around and I think back to the start of last school year, I remember training for what would be an amazing journey into the land of Footie. I bought my first pair of gloves last summer and started with goal kicks and drop kicks. I started not being able to target a shot and after this past year I can now punt the ball around sixty yards with a nice high arch. I had my mother tossing and kicking balls at me to get my hands going. I became damn near cocky when the ball came at me but then I got back to school.

My friend Josh, who played in high school, decided to test me a bit and see how much I had learned over the summer. He got nearly every shot past me out on that wet grass in front of the dorm. He failed to mention, and I failed to realize that penalty shots are a hell of a lot harder to save than anything else. That's what he started me on was penalty kicks. When he moved about ten more yards out, it got a bit easier. I think my save percentage went up a little. I can save high crosses into the box and I can save well with my feet but I be damned if I can save Josh's kicks. My friend Shibley, that's a different story. He has his boots but no leg power to follow through with the finish. I stopped a lot of shots off of him.

I think one of my greatest saves so far was one off of Josh. Shib had played a through ball to him and Josh was coming in on me. I made my decision to come out for it and I dived at his feet to take it off of him. He got me back though when he went for a free kick outside the area. He had pace and power on it and it damn near broke my finger, or so it felt.

So, as I start a new semester without my friends, I wonder who I will have to play footie with. I am going to try and recruit my RA and some of the kids in my program. Hell I might even try out for the schools team next year once I get my touch and skill back. Happy footie to all and good luck with school ya'll.