Attached - Mallory Pugh/USWNT

Chapter 23

April 12th 2022, Gameday - 83rd Minute

Morgana's POV

They scored on us. 

I wasn't going to let that fly, no way I was letting this game be 4-1. 

"It's okay girls, I got you." I said, tapping Abby Dahlkemper on the shoulder. 

Alex took the kickoff to Lindsey, who saw me open. I took the ball, beat 2 defenders. 

One touch around their center back got me to goal like I promised. I took a touch around the goalie, who slide tackled me, but a second too late because I had shot the ball. 

Tonight I completed a perfect hat trick. 

Left foot, header, right foot. 

I didn't have enough time to fully get to me feet before Mal squeezed the shit out of me, sitting next to me. The rest of the team came around too, giving hugs from the ground. Mal didn't move, then helped me up as the dense was running over. 

Ashley Sanchez and I did our handshake, because I believe in tradition, and we've done it 3 times so far (on my 2 goals and her 1) and clearly keep scoring. Its something we had been doing since we were on the U-20's together. It's pretty special. 

"I'm so proud of you." Mal whispered to me. 

"Thanks Mal." 

She smiled at me, and I smiled back. Then when I turned around, I saw the ref carding the other team's goalie. 

"Ref, you don't have to do that. It was an accident. She was just trying to do her job." I said to him as I walked over. 

"I understand. But it was still dangerous." He replied. 

"Well it's okay. I'm not hurt, she didn't do it on purpose, I think you can cut some slack."

"A yellow is a yellow, kid." 

"I'm sorry." I said to the goalie, and ran back to the center circle. 

"You're too good for this world." Said Alex Morgan as I ran by. 

I looked over to the half, where there were 3 subs waiting to come on. Kristie Mewis, Cat Macario, and Ashley Hatch in that order. 

The board had 8 in red, and 17 in green, signaling Ashley Sanchez to come off and that Kristie Mewis was going on. 

As she went off, the board changed to say 13 in red, and 20 in green, signaling Alex Morgan off and Cat Macario on. 

Then the final substitution, 22 in red, 7 in green, signaling me off, and Ash Hatch on. 

"What a game!" She said as I ran off towards her, gave her the double high five thing you do when you sub and gave me a little hug. 

The bench cheered for me when I came off, and I just put on my sweatshirt and pinny and took a seat next to  Ashley. 

"Dude you're a force. I've never seen anything like it!" Ashley said. 

"Thanks Ash." 

"No I mean it. You're something special, Morgana." 

All I've heard in the past few days was that. And sure that's a good thing, but everyone else forgets to give anyone else, especially themselves, credit for almost any goal I put in. 

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Press Conference - Morgana LaRue

Morgana's POV

"Morgana, you are the youngest player to score a hat trick in US Women's National Team history. You're aware of that, correct?" 

"No I am not. That's pretty cool." I said, not being able to hide my smile. 

"What are your thoughts on the game tonight?" 

"In terms of what?" 

"In terms of how you played and how the team played, and what you did well and what you could do better." 

"Personally, I think this was just about as good as we could have played today. I don't think there's anything I would change about how any one of us played tonight." 

"I think the biggest question everyone is asking right now, Morgana, is just 'how?' because you do everything so effortlessly. You don't look tired, and keep up the same energy the whole game. How?" Asked the interviewer. 

"It's not really 'how' as much as it's 'what?' What drives me to play like this? What is the thing that pushes me farther than my limits? Well the answer is first of all mentality. If I don't do well for my team, I don't do well for myself. I let my team down, I let myself down. And I don't like to disappoint others." I replied. "But the other big thing is my family, and the thought that there could be little kids out there that look up to me. Because I know I most certainly looked up to all the players growing up. And I know I at least have one, which is my niece Hayley back home in Colorado. I have a whole family there that sit and watch every game I play, and they are my biggest fans. I wouldn't want to disappoint them more than anything." 

"Thank you, Morgana. Good luck in your next game and have a safe flight." 

"Thank you! Have a good night!" 

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April 12th, 2022 - 11:00pm

Morgana's POV: 

"So you're staying at home instead of the hotel?" Mal asked me on the plane. 

"Yeah." I replied. 

"You're so lucky." She sighed. 

"Why? Because I get to sleep in my childhood room with my parents next door in case I get scared?" I joked. 

"You get to wake up every morning in a comfy bed with a good temperature. I get to wake up next to Ashley Sanchez after freezing my ass off all night." She sighed. 

"Hey, there's nothing wrong with me!" Ashley said from the other side of me. 

"I have to share a room with her AND Rose because there was an odd amount of girls. You, Lindsey and Sophia are all staying at home instead." 

"Come stay at my place." I said. 

"Really?" 

"Yeah. My parents would probably love to see you again." 

"Really?" 

"Yes!" I laughed. "Where are your parents?" 

"My mom is on a vacation with her friends and my dad is out of town for work." 

"Makes sense." 

"Do I get to meet your famous niece?" She asked excitedly. 

"Of course! I bet she's still up waiting honestly." 

"Wow." 

"Can I meet Hayley again too?" Asked Ashley. 

"Of course. Just another day." 

"Yay!" 

Then I closed my eyes, leaving on Mal's shoulder, because I knew I would need a rest if I was going to make it through a night of non stop talking from my family.