Lafayette takes 2nd in age group of soccer contest

By the time 13-year-old Annaliese Lafayette reached the national final of the Dribble, Pass and Shoot competition on Sunday, she was just a little nervous.

The young soccer player from Hampden had already competed in the necessary steps to advance to the national final in Columbus, Ohio, by winning competitions in Hampden, Manchester, N.H., and at Foxboro (Mass.) Stadium the morning before a New England Revolution game.

“I was more comfortable and knew what I was doing [for the national final]. I was more prepared,” said Annaliese, the daughter of Carla and Danny Lafayette. “I still wanted to win, but I wasn’t worried about losing.”

Annaliese went on to place second nationally in her age division (12-14) in the competition, which is sponsored by Major League Soccer and New York Life.

She first learned of the competition while attending a soccer camp in Hampden last June. She was encouraged to participate by her mother and said she was initially somewhat reluctant and nervous to try the competition because of its unfamiliarity.

However, the drills were merely employing skills that she had learned while playing soccer and as each competition passed, she became more comfortable and less nervous.

In the competition, the participant dribbles a soccer ball between flags and scores points based on time. The passing tests accuracy and points are scored by kicking the ball through flags of varying widths and distances. For shooting, points are scored on placement of penalty kicks.

Carla Lafayette said her daughter was solid in all aspects of the competitions through the final where her best event was passing accuracy. Annaliese was edged in the competition by an Illinois girl who also won the national championship last year.

Approximately 100,000 girls and boys participated in the competition in three different age groups (8-9, 10-11, 12-14) before the final in Ohio.

While Annaliese enjoyed the competition, she said the overall experience was what made the trip worthwhile. She was accompanied to Columbus with her mother and grandmother, Morna Rawcliffe.

The MLS and New York Life paid for all expenses and hosted a banquet the night before the competition where all the regional winners were introduced. Annaliese met many MLS stars at the banquet, including “the whole Los Angeles Galaxy team” as well as star Cobi Jones.

“I’ve watched him on TV. We got to talk to him. He was really nice and it was cool to meet him,” Annaliese said.

She was also able to attend a Galaxy practice and picked up a cleat from star Paul Caligiuri.

The competition was held the next day (Saturday) and all the competitors were able to attend the MLS championship game on Sunday when the San Jose Earthquakes beat the Galaxy 2-1 in overtime.

During halftime, the Dribble, Pass and Shoot participants put on demonstrations and Annaliese converted a penalty kick to the cheers of the crowd, her mother said.

Annaliese started playing soccer in Hampden in second grade and has since competed in a travel program and on the Reeds Brook Middle School team in Hampden. After watching the MLS stars at practice and in the championship game, Annaliese said she was amazed at their skill level.

“[After seeing them] I realize how much more work I have to do – the little things to improve,” she said. “It was cool to watch the drills and see how perfect they were.”

Basketball clinic set Nov. 10

Aspiring girls basketball players looking for a few lessons may want to consider participating in a basketball clinic hosted by the Husson College women’s basketball team on Saturday, Nov. 10, at Newman Gym in Bangor.

The clinic is for those in kindergarten through fifth grade from 9-11:30 a.m. and grades 6-8 from noon to 3 p.m. The fee is $10. Those seeking more information may call 941-7019.

Joe McLaughlin’s column on youth sports is published each Thursday. He can be reached at 990-8229, 1-800-310-8600 or via e-mail at jmclaughlin@bangordailynews.net