Across the U.S., several generations of women are putting on their shin guards, lacing up their cleats and competing on the soccer pitch in ways they couldn’t have when they were kids. At Adult Soccer Fest in Chattanooga, Tennessee, one of the oldest national soccer tournaments for adults, age divisions range from 40 and over to 70 and over. Many players, particularly those in the divisions for athletes over 60, are discovering the sport anew after growing up in a world before Title IX, the landmark gender equality legislation that opened the door to athletics for women and girls. Some athletes who grew up before Title IX found sports like soccer through their children, later in life. As youth participation rates soared, more women went from the sidelines to joining their own local leagues. Swipe to read how soccer has enriched these women’s lives and tap the link in our bio to read more about how these players are making up for lost time. Photos by @wawawomp Via @nytgender