Gecko Power!...fizzled

This morning (9/12/09) was Lizzy's first soccer game. They have been practicing for three weeks now but have not really had any concept of what the difference is between a practice and a game. This morning's 100* temp was a rude awakening for these little athletes in the rigors of game day. The Geckos were awesome! I was so proud of our kids running back and forth trying to remember the skills they have been working on. The game consists of two 15 minute halves with each player playing 7 1/2 minutes each half. Soccer games will now be every Saturday morning from now until the middle of December. By the end of the season I suspect we will be pros! :)

My little Lizzy started off super strong, running, trying to kick and staying up with the group. As you can see, however, as the game progressed and the heat increased, Lizzy's stamina decreased. Slowly, slowly, slowly until she was absolutely done before her turn was up. She never gave up though. She never begged to get off the field or stop playing. She just trudged along until I finally couldn't take it any longer and I asked the coach to substitute her. She was beet red and just sat lethargically for the last 4 minutes of the game while I poured water on her head to cool her off. (when do the cooler temps come?)
If you click on the pictures you can enlarge them. Yes, I did dress her and yes, I did put her shin guards on over her socks wrong! I'm learning too. Troy is out of town so I didn't know. :)
The bright green Geckos! She started off strong - the furthest away from the ball, but still part of the team. (That is her in the back)
She started not paying attention (Lizzy is the little girl in the bright green not facing the same way as everyone else.)
Still part of the group but definitely not part of the game any longer.
She is done. (By this time I was worried about heat exhaustion so I let her sit down. I don't want to teach her to give up, but I also don't want her to die. What's a mom to do?)