The Shot

Part One:

This was the most important game in the tournament. The team we were going to be facing in the championship. This team (Beatrice) had a record of 4-0 so far in the tournament and so did we. Losing wasn’t an option. We had to win.

The only reason Beatrice had come so far in the tournament is because they’re cheaters. Dirty. Rotten. Cheaters.

We play them in our regular season and every time we played them, they won. Their defenders shove players off the ball and their offense is always off-sides. But the refs never call anything.

In this particular game, I can still remember everything… I was running to get the ball our defenders had just cleared up and out for us and I had a defender chasing after me to get the ball ( I can still remember exactly what she looked like, blondish brown frizzy hair pulled into a big poof on top of her head. Number Thirteen. She was brutal.) She put her arm up and knocked me to the ground.

This is why we needed to win. I needed revenge.
Part Two:

“Do you think we’ll win Julia?” Bre questioned.

“I don’t know, it’s hard to tell. It really depends on the refs we get and how well we play,” I responded. We were putting on our uniforms, braces, shin-guards and socks preparing for the game.

“Is it bad that I’m really nervous Julia?” I thought her question over and decided it was completely normal.

“I mean we are in the championship of the biggest game of our soccer life against our biggest rival, so not really… I am too.”

“COME ON LADIES! TIME TO HEAD OUT!” Bre’s Mom shouted from the top of the stairs.

“Let’s go kick some Beatrice butt Bre!”
Part Three:

It was already halftime. 2-0 we were already down two goals and our spirits had dropped. Coach was giving us one of his well-known pep talks.

“It’s only two goals girls! We can still come back! Like I’ve always said, we’re a second half team! Both offense and defense needs to be more aggressive! We need to fight for the ball!!! We’re giving up too easily! Don’t try to do everything yourself! You have ten other girls out there set up to help you! Trust me it will be about a million times easier with their help! Let’s get some goals girls! I will be the proudest coach in the world to see you ladies beat this team!” The team was getting all stirred up. We were ready to attack the second half with confidence.

“TWEEEET, TWEEET!”

“There’s the whistle, get out there ladies!”
Part Four:

There were two minutes left in the game. I had the ball and was sprinting with number 13 right on my tail. I was trying my hardest to out-run her but she was catching up with me. She finally had caught up with me and shoved me out onto the ground by the sideline. “TWEET, TWEET, TWEEEEEET, TWEEEEEET!!” Finally, the refs were being fair!

“WHAT! I didn’t touch her!’ Number 13 screamed.

“Don’t even act like you didn’t do anything, everyone saw what you just did.”

“GIRLS! STOP OR YOU’LL BOTH HAVE TO SIT OUT!” The main ref yelled. WE both turned away with and crossed our arms over our chests. What was she thinking? Doing that! “We’re going to have a penalty kick, this will decide the game. Who’s going to be the kicker?” All the girls on my team were yelling out for me to kick it while our rivals were yelling at the ref for making the call.

Our coach ran onto the field to me, putting his hands on my shoulders. “Julia, I trust you to make this goal for the team. You know how to do penalty kicks. I mean really, you’re the one who said that they’re the easiest part of soccer!”

“Alright coach, I’ll do it.”


Part Five:

The ref lined the ball up on the line painted for penalty kicks. “Okay girls, everyone stay out of the box until she’s made contact with the ball.” He walked over to me, “Take all the time you need.”

I backed up to take the shot with force. I knew exactly where I wanted the ball. In the net. Behind the goalie. Giving us a victory.

I stepped back. Took a deep breath, and took the shot. The goalie dove to stop the ball, but missed.

WOOOOOOSH! The ball hit the net signaling that we had won the game.

The girls on my team ran up and started hugging me until I couldn’t breathe. “Julia you did it! We won! We won!!” Bre shouted. “WE BEAT BEATRICE! WE BEAT BEATRICE!” The girls started chanting.

At that moment I felt so much pride for my team.