Soccer in Hudson

We got a nice surpise invite to a soccer game in Hudson last night. My sister Shelly called on Tuesday night to let us know of a regional playoff game held on neutral ground between The Dakota REV (Rosemount, Eagan, Apple Valley) and Eau Claire. We went to one game when Chandler was younger and this time it was Lauren (11 years old) who was playing. We were both very impressed at that talent level on this team. I was expecting pretty slow moving soccer, but this was not that. I come to find that this is the best team in the state for 11 year olds. There is a team in the metro called Minnesota Thunder which is an elite team that takes kids 11 years old from all areas of the metro. This Dakota Rev team which is just Rosemount, Eagan and Apple Valley normally beats this elite team.
Anyway, they played in Hudson last night and Nicole and I went to watch. The REV won 3-0 and I was very proud that my niece Lauren scored 2 of the 3 goals. She is a machine out there, fast and quick and never seems to get tired. So, here is an example of the talent level and again, 11 year old girls.
On an out of bounds play, one girl does a flip throw where she actually flips her body and launches the ball into the air toward the front of the goal. Then Lauren comes charging in head first and gets a "header" goal. That was good for one goal and Dairy Queen for the entire team. I guess a header goal is rare and if one is achieved it's Dairy Queen all around.
She added one more with a sweet move that totally burned the goaltender late in the game to ice the game at 3-0. After they went up 3-0 they wanted to let the goaltender get some minutes on the field so Lauren took over in goal. Enjoy the pictures. We had a great time and it was a beautiful evening.