Sixteen High School Soccer Seasons Later, the Final Whistle

Taking Care of Business - Last HS Soccer Games with The Lady in the Soccer Suit - Done!

Queue the Bachman-Turner Overdrive song, Taking Care of Business…Every Day! Ha!

Our house was a buzz of activity yesterday, as we had technicians from HVAC and plumbing taking care of business. We even got a new toilet in the primary bedroom for taking care of our “other daily business, ahem!” Another pleasure is receiving a paycheck with a T-shirt quilt pickup - always a good way to take care of business, literally.

But that is not all. Those wild winds and big rain from yesterday morning made way for sunny skies and mild temperatures, so I could finally referee my final two games of Federation Soccer (for high and middle schools). I was really hoping the games would be cancelled, but I knew once that sun popped up all nice and pretty, we were playing! Yep, after "sweet" 16 seasons of high school soccer, my time in that capacity, or season, is now in the books. Thankfully, I never had to reach into my pockets to card a coach or player, but I did have an interesting encounter with one young man and a sweet story of a special someone who, unbeknownst to me, came to my games to take photos.

If anyone follows soccer, or futbol, or football, it is a crazy physical game with only shin guards for any bodily protection. I’ve seen some wild plays and kids getting seriously hurt that an ambulance is called and wheeled onto the field to administer care, but more aptly, to take the player to the nearest hospital. So, for me, as a referee all these years, safety is first (which means I may have to call a lot of fouls initially to quell aggressive play or the potential for it).

Anyhoo, while walking to the sideline during the second game’s halftime, a home team player approached me to share his dilemma about the away player(s) grabbing his balls. Quickly thinking to reply, I said, “Soccer is a physical game, and you do realize that I am a female referee and not looking, nor do I want or intend to look at that scenario.” So many connotations with that one…sheeesh!

While on the sideline, taking a quick sip of water, I mentioned my brief conversation with the assistant referee (AR), Brian, and the Athletic Director (AD). Both men started giggling pretty hard until Brian said, “Maybe you could have called a foul for illegal ball handling,” which sent us into hysterical laughter. I’m still giggling over this exchange, which has never happened to me in all my nearly 2,000 games of youth soccer! I’m a ball watcher, but not those balls!

Once home, the sweetest thing happened. Bill asked me to open my phone so he could share some photos with me. I was thinking about Bodie, our grandson, and Bill was sharing some pictures he took over the weekend. Instead, the images that came through were of me on the pitch in my final game! I was shocked! I had no idea he was there or even planning on going before I left the house. WOW! What a sweet treat indeed. Thank you, Bill! Your actions in coming to my last games mean the world to me!

So yes, October 30, 2025, will go down as one for the highlight reel — sunshine after storms, laughter after whistles, and one last set of games to mark sixteen seasons well-played. From HVAC fixes to heartfelt surprises, it was a full day of “taking care of business” in every sense of the phrase.

Game over. Heart full. ⚽ Mind you, I may still sit for my USSF badge for 2026...

You bet that this story will be included in The Lady in the Soccer Suit (eventually).

Terri