There's No "I" In Team

Part 2

            Knowing our positions out on the grassy green field, Emma and Noelle darted to defense. Since only ten players are allowed on the field for each team, Kristen hurried to goalie, Kayla, Faith and Rebekah rushed to midfield, and Anna, Bri, Lilly and I bolted toward offense. We were ready!  The referee resembled a bumblebee with his bright, honey-yellow and black striped outfit on, except this bumblebee ref wore round glasses, and had a bushy, white handlebar mustache, which wiggled and twitched whenever he spoke. It almost looked like a teeter-totter! My friends and I always had to cover our mouths every time he spoke or else we would just burst out laughing! He placed the ball in the center of the white lined circle in the middle of the field. He took a few steps back and blew his whistle powerfully, giving a high-pitched screechy sound! The game was on! Our team started with the ball!

         Kayla passed the ball back to Rebekah who was in the center circle. As Rebekah twirled left and right to dodge the other players, she looked to see who was open.

          "I'm open! I'm open!" Anna shouted, flailing her arms up and down to signal Rebekah that she was open and ready for the ball!

        

           Rebekah instantly saw Anna waving her arms and booted the white and black hexagon-tiled ball straight to her. Anna stopped that ball in midair and started dribbling like Messi straight to the goal. She kicked with great vigor, SCORE! The Dragons had just scored their first goal! The crowd cheered wildly! Determined, the Cougar's goalie grabbed the ball with her padded, gloved hands and kicked the ball back into the middle of the field.

        

                                                                        

They practically kicked the ball to me, but whether they did or not, I took it! I started bolting toward the goal, dribbling the ball skillfully around the other players! I was almost to the goal, and ready to take a shot when all of sudden, BAM!  I felt the crushing blow of something...or someone. As the force of the impact and inertia kept me flying, I flew for a few more feet as I collided with the hard ground. The energy that was once inside seemed to spill right out of my body!             As I slowly moved to an upward position I could see a Cougar player hurry away...  with the ball.  I turned my head and tried to focus.  The view of my team on the sidelines was blurry.  I heard the "boos" of onlookers in the stands, and then the high-pitched tones of the refs' whistles! The sound reminded me of when solders blow their trumpets announcing royalty is pacing by, like in all those fairytales stories. Only this meant one thing, it was a Red Card.My team immediately rushed out to help me up and to make sure if I was all right. Emma and Noelle rapidly ran to my side, gripping my arms and hoisting me unto my unsteady cleats. They brushed off the dirt and rubbish that encrusted my jersey.

             " Are you okay?" Lilly asked worriedly, running up behind Anna and Rebekah.

            " Yah! Kayli, that was quite a blow you took!" Anna exclaimed!

             " I think I am," I said shakily.

 We heard some loud voices increasing in volume. We turned our heads to what all he commotion was about. Coach Alvaro and Coach Mailand were confronting the other coaches and refs about what had just happened. A few minutes later, when both teams were sent off the field, I found out that the player that shoved me was player #17.  I squinted across the field through the sinking sun's light, which seemed to spotlight a tall, bulky girl who was facing her coach. Her jersey read none other than #17. She had long, blonde hair worn in a braid that trailed behind her back. A baby blue colored headband matched the black and baby blue jersey that she wore. As Coach Alvaro reported, this wasn't the first time this player had done something like this. She was what people might say, the more "aggressive type". According to me, she had just become the most aggressive on my "types" list!

               "Kayli," Coach Alvaro said. " I want you to sit out," He said concerningly.

"Here sit down on the benches. Ashley! You're subbing!"

 Coach "A" looked back as Ashley jumped to her feet and got ready to sub.

 "I'm going to have the Paramedic take a look at you. So just sit tight Kayli. Alright?"

       I slowly nodded my head in agreement.

                                                             

                                                                       

            Thankfully, nothing was seriously wrong with me. I just had a few more minor bumps and bruises here and there.  The Paramedic said I could still play if I was up to it.  Of course I was up to it! I wasn't going to sit out of a game for which we had to run 6 miles every single day to practice for just to sit out and watch it pass before my very eyes!