Competition fun for parents, kids

From the Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

Competition fun for parents, kids
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

CRYSTAL LAKE – Jill Christensen was on the edge of her seat.

Her 8-year-old daughter, Samantha, was running across an indoor soccer field at the Regional Sports Center in Crystal Lake, clad in a blue and white Chicago Magic uniform.

Victory was crucial.

“We’re 2 and 0, so this is our deciding game,” said Christensen, of Algonquin, admitting how nervous she gets when she watches her daughter play.

Parents around Christensen began to applaud and cheer. Make that 3 and 0.

More than 400 youth and adult soccer players from 36 teams participated in the first Copa Gary Lang Soccer Tournament on Saturday.

The event attracted youth travel players and adult players from across the northwest suburbs, and as far as Kenosha, Wis., and Chicago. For more than 12 hours, teams competed in 25-minute games on two indoor fields while fans, families and friends watched from behind a glass wall.

“[They like] everything,” said Angel Garcia, facility manager. “The atmosphere, the ability to play indoors now that it’s cold.”

Larry and Marian Ostness traveled from Streamwood for the tournament. Their 10-year-old grandson, Max McGregor of West Dundee, played with two different teams Saturday.

“I enjoyed the heck out of it,” said Larry Ostness as he and his wife packed up their folding chairs. “Overall, it was a very exciting day.”

Throughout the complex, many who weren’t on the field couldn’t resist kicking around their own soccer balls – especially younger siblings.

While some parents shouted cheers or directions from the stand, others tried to keep cool.

“I don’t get nervous,” said Jenny Rapaduski, whose 8-year-old daughter, Amanda, also plays on a Chicago Magic team. “I just watch and make sure she’s playing at her level.”

Rapaduski said she was impressed with its size and organization.

“For a first time, it’s great,” she said.