Granville girls attend World Cup

By Jane Havens

We are in the midst of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the biggest single-sport event in women’s competition.

What is a passionate soccer player’s dream? For many, it is to attend the World Cup games. With Canada as the host for the 2015 competition and games in Montreal, it became a reality. Members of the Granville girls soccer program joined players and coaches from Ticonderoga girls soccer on Saturday, June 13, for two exciting World Cup soccer games: Brazil vs. Spain and Korea Republic vs. Costa Rica.

As a parent, I was advised never to give my children music lessons without allowing them to experience the payoff of their work, and the enjoyment of it by attending musicals and concerts at all levels. As a coach, I knew what my charge was in the soccer arena. My goal was to get passionate players to the World Cup. By teaming up with Ticonderoga, we had the opportunity to attend with my coach, Kathleen Tubbs, that I played soccer for in all four years of high school. It was a truly reflective experience.

When I played for Coach Tubbs, there was no Women’s World Cup. The inaugural competition was held in China and the USA national team won in 1991. Since then, the USA Women’s National Soccer Team has become the most successful team in the world, winning the World Cup again in 1999 and taking Olympic Gold in 1996, 2004, 2008 and 2012. The team has produced such inspiring players as Michelle Akers, Mia Hamm and Abby Wambach among others, all phenomenal athletes with a great ethic that young girls can aspire to.

The 1999 USA Women’s National Team took soccer to a whole new level in women’s sports by filling arenas with unheard-of numbers of fans. It was a grassroots effort by those players to bring awareness to their sport. Because of the success of that team and the growth of the sport, Women’s World Cup soccer competitions were booked at major arenas in Canada like Olympic Stadium in Montreal and BC Place Stadium in Vancouver. Both stadiums have capacities over 50,000.

The importance of these games were not lost on the Girls from Granville. It is and was a dream trip. Outside the stadium we dealt with the hustle of travel, customs and border patrol, ticketing and security. We moved around, getting acclimated to our surroundings; where the restrooms were, food, and of course souvenirs. And then we stepped in the arena, and the feeling overtook us. This is the part that becomes truly indescribable.

Walking through the entrance and seeing the perfect field with two teams of national players warming up sent a rush of excitement through everyone. For that first moment, we realized that we were really at a Women’s World Cup Soccer Game. We allowed ourselves to revel in the moment; it was a genuine feel-good rush.

Although we did not have the opportunity to see and cheer for our own USA team, the girls did experience cup history. Spain and Brazil are powerhouse competitors in men’s soccer, but this would be the first time that these countries would meet in women’s soccer. This was Spain’s first appearance in the Women’s World Cup. We would get to see the best footballer in the world, Marta from Brazil, on the pitch. We picked our teams and we cheered. Brazil came out ahead 1-0. In the second game, Costa Rica also made its debut against Korea. The game proved to be quite intense with Costa Rica tying the game at 2-2 in the 89th minute of the 90 minute match. They kept themselves alive in the group round.

As the games played on, many girls chimed in from both Ticonderoga and Granville that they couldn’t wait for soccer season. It was a great experience with each of us pining to play, especially a game on that field. I am sure this fall coaches and players from all around will try to emulate something that they saw in a World Cup game. On a grand scale, cheer for the USA this summer, and then, this fall join us at the field and cheer for your Granville teams!

“Live Your Goals” is a campaign launched prior to the Canada 2015 Women’s World Cup to encourage increased participation in women’s soccer. Competitiveness, sportsmanship, and a handshake for peace were emphasized as elements of the game. On our trip were coaches, players and fans. Coach Tubbs, women that I played with for Ticonderoga, Tina Russell, who coaches their JV program, and others whose daughters play now. On that bus were my coach and teammates who, without realizing it, instilled in me a passion and love for the sport of soccer.

The Girls from Granville who have found their own way to the sport are carrying the torch for those who came before them. They are part of a great group of athletes who love the game and represent their school so well. It was great fun to watch World Cup soccer games with my players, my coach, my own teammates, our children and my newest and highly enthusiastic colleague, Mrs. Palmer (she grabbed right on to me when Spain attempted a goal).

Thank you to the Granville School District, all our soccer parents and the community for allowing us to pay it forward.

We shared, and we will compete. Granville Varsity and JV girls’ soccer will face Ticonderoga in Granville on Sept. 1t at 4:15 p.m. We invite the community to join us for this non-league game, and cheer us on! To A Greater Goal!

Editor’s note: Havens is head coach of the Granville girls soccer team.