This evening my daughter’s Rec & Ed soccer team had their team party and then went to a University of Michigan women’s soccer game. This was our first time attending a UM soccer game. Tickets are typically $8 for chairbacks, $7 for general admission for adults, and $5 for children’s general admission. However, they frequently offer ticket deals in the form of family four packs, Kids Go Blue free tickets, and free tickets for local elementary and middle school students with parental discounts. The free/discounted tickets are general admission tickets.
Tonight was a free night for elementary and middle school students(K-8) with the flyers that were handed out at school. Accompanying parents are able to purchase a ticket for $1.
The UM Soccer Stadium is located off of State Street south of the main athletic campus with the Tennis Center. There was sufficient parking in the lot, although the part of the lot closest to the stadium entrance is unpaved. There was staff directing us to parking. The walk to the stadium from the parking lot was longer than I expected – past the practice field and past the field since the grandstand is on the far side of the field. We arrived a couple of minutes past the 6p start time and by the time we walked to the game, we had missed the beginning of the game.
Despite the chilly evening and the threat of rain (it actually did rain for a little while), the stadium was crowded – much more than I had expected. We were with a group of about 30 and we had to split up across two sections and many rows apart. Fortunately the bulk of the grandstand is under a roof.
My daughter really enjoyed the game. She thought it was amazing how far they kicked the ball and how they headed the ball. She was sitting with her teammates (and a coach, and a few parents) in the second row while my husband and I sat about 15 rows higher one section over. At half-time we went down to see how she was doing. Several of her friends were leaving at half. Since we had errands to run on the way home (including a trip to the Apple Store), she agreed that we could leave. Unfortunately, by leaving early we missed the two goals that Michigan scored to win 2-0 over Ohio State.
I am glad that my daughter enjoyed the game. We need to attend more UM sporting events. My daughter usually has a lot of fun at them.
