Saturday marked the second to the last day of the 2006 Olympic winter games, but there was no need for some Lawrence residents to make the trek to Turin, Italy because one local gymnasium was hosting an international event all its own. On that morning two Lawrence Rec girls’ soccer teams took to the court at the East Lawrence Center for a game of Futsal.

The Parks and Recreation Futsal league focuses on building skills and having fun with younger players. The Blue and White girls’ teams faced off against each other on to do just that. Though no official scores are kept, the White team took home the victory, 6-1.

According to Futsal.com, the sport emerged in the 1930s in Uruguay as a hybrid of soccer. The international game blends the original game of soccer with a smaller ball, a basketball-sized court and a freedom from boundaries.

White team assistant coach Collen Harrell said the victory was a valuable teaching tool to her very young team.

“We have a lot of girls on the team who hadn’t even seen a soccer ball before, so we have been working on learning,” Harrell said. “I’m proud of this game today and the effort the team has put in.”

In the first half, the White team put in a strong effort quickly keeping the ball out of their goal and into the Blue team’s. White forward Adriana Jadlow shucked the ball through Blue’s defensive line straight for a goal. White triple threat Rebecca Stobaugh, who plays goalie, right wing and defense, swiftly kicked the ball away as the Blue’s Kenzie Garvin attempted to bring it into the goal.

Blue team girls line-up in from of their goal to defend a White penalty kick Saturday at the East Lawrence Center. The Blue team goalie Maxine McGill stands behind the united front in hopes of stopping the White's offensive onslaught in the Rec girls Futsal game.

Stobaugh said she enjoys the game experience that the right wing position affords her.

“I like right wing the best because you can score some goals and you get a chance to kick the ball really hard,” Stobaugh said.

Though the White team was gaining on them, the Blue did not back down. The team stepped up to defend their own goal and push the White team out to the sides. Blue player Maxine McGill was relentless in challenging White’s offense. McGill and her teammates soon found a hole in White’s defense and rocketed in a goal in the second half.

The White team was not to be outdone though. White forward and goalie Madison Harrell challenged the Blue and her team sunk in three more goals in the second half.

Madison Harrell said she enjoys learning about soccer and sportsmanship through Futsal.

“I like the game because it really teaches kids how to work together and be a team,” Harrell said.

White team kicker Jadlow said she just likes scoring and hanging out with her friends.

Forget the Olympics, these young athletes are enjoying learning and teamwork in carving out their own niche in the international sport of Futsal.