November 14th, 2015              

    I finally got a chance to see Samantha's Venice High School soccer team play in person today, and I was glad to be able to be back at the field watching her playing the sport that she loves. I was a bit disappointed in that I didn't get to see her play in the field at all, as the starting goalkeeper aggravated her back during warm-ups, forcing Sam into the net for the entire game. At least I can say that I got to see her first varsity start as a goalie!

    As for the game, there isn't really a lot of game recaps to report. Venice started off a little bit slow, and a defensive lapse left a Riverdale player wide open in front of the goal. That player manage to place a perfect kick over Samantha's head. Although Sam managed to get her fingers on it, she wasn't able to deflect the ball enough to keep it out of the back of the net, giving Riverdale an early 1-0 lead. That score would be enough, as neither team managed to score during the remainder of the game. Sam did manage to make some nice saves, but the offense in front of her wasn't able to net the tying goal despite some good looks themselves. Despite a last minute offensive push, Samantha would wind up losing her goalkeeping debut by a score of 1-0.

Venice Indians Varsity Soccer Game 8 - vs. Riverdale High School
	Samantha in her goalie gear waiting for the game to start.
	Sam lining up to take a goal kick...
	...and following through as she watches the ball head down the field.
	Sam preparing for a drop kick...
	...and lining it up...
	...and sending the ball down the field to her teammates.
	Sam leaping as high as she could...
	...but watching as the ball deflected off her fingertips, finding the back of the net.
	Sam keeping an eye on the ball as it rolls wide of the net.
	Sam playing the ball with her feet on a pass back from a teammate.
	Sam taking another drop kick...
	...and making contact with the ball...
	...and sending it flying through the air.
	Sam looking down the field as the actions leaves her end of the field.
	Sam watching the action in front of her.
	Samantha rolling the ball out to a teammate.
	Sam taking another goal kick...
	...and contacting the ball...
	...and sending it down the field once again.
	Sam going high to stop a shot on goal.
	Sam wrapping up the ball in front of the net.
	Sam watching the action take place down the field.