26 Years of Soccer!

Earlier this month, the 26th Annual Crested Butte Adult Soccer Tournament went down, and it was spectacular! 12 teams converged on CB’s field, with Rice, Beans, and Crackers taking home the winner’s trophy. Acme was once again a title sponsor, with Manager Lauren Alkire as a top referee.

Here are some of her notes from the weekend:

Rain sprinkles, teams begin to arrive. Current college, youth and high school coaches; past and present college and high school players. They recognize us referees from the youth/collegiate world; players recognize one another from the same venues. The adult soccer community of Colorado comes together once again for an amazing weekend in CB. Foul language permissible...within reason. Adult beverages encouraged.

 
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First game, 8:00 am kickoff, gloriously cool. Opposing central midfielders, each with magical mullets. With every dip, duck, dive as they challenge one another their mullets are bouncing in unison. Amazing.

Later in the day, a goal is scored from a kickoff. Wow.

Great play and good fun all day. Referee candy (Ibuprofen) at 10:30 am and again at 2:30 pm. Snacks, water and Gatorade throughout the day. Hop on the bike at the school field to ride to the Tommy V bathrooms. Remember to apply sunscreen!

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First games of day 2 are semi-finals. Crested Butte Kickers are in one and XForce FC with many Gunnison players in the other. Both are great games, probably the best games of the weekend. XForce FC's game goes to overtime and then KFTM (kicks from the mark, aka penalty kicks). Consolation games continue the day.

Final Game: Colorado Soccer Club vs Rice, Beans, and Crackers. By the first five minutes of the game, Rice, Beans, and Crackers are up 4 - 0. Ouch. It starts to rain again. Glorious rain! Rumble, boom. Noooo!!! Check the weather app. We're good, keep playing. Whew!

Final whistle for the weekend. Trophy presentation. Pictures. Adult beverages.

Sleep. Glorious sleep.

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Thank you to all the sponsors, players, refs, volunteers, and WESA (West Elk Soccer Association) for making it happen!

Proceeds benefit WESA and youth programs in the valley.  

Jen Hillebrandt