They're # ONE!!!

I have never, ever wished I was a sports writer until this moment. Honestly. Whatever I have to say in this post, just will not do it justice. Today was the best game I have ever watched in any sport. Ever. My cousins, Jillian and Sydney (who play field hockey for Rice HS), were in the finals today against Stowe.

Although Rice beat Stowe two times (out of the two games they played) in regular season, Stowe has won the state championships the last four years in a row. Stowe seemed to dominate in the first half of the game, but what the heck do I know? I don't know anything about field hockey.

BUT - and this is taking from the Burlington Free Press, Rice came back, "scoring a goal on a penalty corner with no time left in regulation to force overtime in the Division III state championship game... Then the resilient group of Green Knights (14-3) made it a memorable one when they prevailed in a penalty-stroke shootout, securing the program’s first crown and halting Stowe’s four-year championship reign."

Let's me just explain something to you. The score was tied 1-1 when Stowe scored with THREE minutes left in the game. I doubt very much I should type what was said throughout the crowd in the sidelines when Stowe scored. Let's just say that I will not allow Acadia to say any of those words for a long, loooong time. I can only imagine the thoughts of the parents surrounding me, mentally preparing themselves to pick up the pieces of their daughters when the game ended.

Instead, Rice scored to tie the game with NO TIME LEFT on the scoreboard!!!!!!!!!!! I have never seen anything like it! And I have never experienced the pure joy and complete happiness that was felt on the sidelines. Screaming and tears - this game was just as much a win for the parents, who have loyally gone to every game wearing their Rice jackets and cheering their girls, as it was for the players themselves.

As the BFP article said, they then went into overtime and won in the shootout. It was an amazing game, and I am so, so proud of my cousins!!





The shoot out




Holding the trophy for the first time!


Aunt Becky waiting to congratulate her girls!




My very, very proud Uncle Bob





The beautiful Bouchard Family


Look at Uncle Bob - I don't think there was a prouder dad!!

Uncle Buzzy and cousin Bailey

Sisters!

The very proud cousin!

The seniors