The Prodigy | The Matildas

19. Find your own nickname!

I fiddle with my goalie gloves as we walk out onto the pitch, the crowd roaring at our arrival. I've played in the starting eleven before, I've played for the Matildas. But this was my first actually big important game in the world cup. And I couldn't disappoint.

We huddle together as Sam gives her little pep talk. She can't actually play because she had a minor calf injury, which was disappointed, and a huge blow to the team. "You guys can do this, I'll be here waiting for you. We're an amazing team, and I know you can do it." Then Sam looks to Steph, who's our temporary captain whilst she's injured.

"We have to just go for it, we're good under pressure. Take your shots, take your chances." Steph says quickly before wrapping things up.

We put our hand in the middle of our team huddle, "Aussies on three. One, two, three,"

"Aussies!" Everyone chants, motivated by Sam's words. We all jog onto the pitch, dispersing to our respective starting positions, mine being at the goal.

The girls take possession of the ball for the most part, taking multiple shots at the goals but ultimately missing. My eyes dart around at lightning speed to follow the ball as it shoots across the pitch from boot to boot. It's almost unnerving how little shots were taken by the Irish, how little shots I've needed to block.

I'm prepared for any chances that the Irish players may shoot as they sprint down the field, until the ball is intercepted by Steph, which makes me feel more relaxed. I'm scared I'm not going to be able to save the ball.

Steph passes the ball to Viney, who's quickly blocked by an Irish and makes a sneaky nutmeg pass to Kyra. And then the ball goes flying off Kyra's boot, towards Ras and maybe two Irish players, before Ras ends up on the ground from a push.

The ref calls gives us a penalty, in which Steph steps up to take. And she manages to score. The girls run around the field, their faces beaming and I can't help but cheer as well from the opposite end of the field.

The celebration doesn't last long as a bit later, Katie McCabe take's a corner. She lifts her right hand before swinging her boot. I watch as the ball goes flying into the air, closer and closer towards the goal, my goal. Dangerously close.

I jump as high as I can, shoving my left hand up and just placing all my trust in my own training. I managed to hit the ball away, a ball that was perfectly angled at the net.

But before I'm able to celebrate my own save, Katie gets another corner, literally a few minutes later.

This time, I raise both my hands up, catching the ball in my gloved hands before feeling a body collide into mine. The only thought that goes through my mind as I roll to the ground is to stop. Stop rolling, clutch the ball, and don't let it go across the line.

My ankle had a lingering pain, and I'm not too sure if it was because my ankle was knocked into, or if it was a pull from my calf. But one thing I was sure of was that I had saved another goal.

The ref called a yellow card for an Irish player, who had apparently tried to head the ball but crashed into me, before landing on my foot and causing me to roll onto the ground. I actually didn't think it should have been carded, considering that it was truly an accident but oh well.

I make another two saves, before the game ends at full time, 1-0. We had won, and relief flood me as I grin at my clean sheet. I still got it in me.

Steph is being congratulated by some Tillies and also some of the Irish for her goal, and I run up to her as well.

"Steph! That was an amazing penalty!"

She turns around, smiling at me before hugging me. "Thanks KitKat, but we only won cause you made some incredible saves, KitKat!"

Awkwardly smiling, I just nod, not knowing how to take compliments.

"Yeah, some annoyin'ly good saves." An Irish accent joins the conversation. It's Katie McCabe. "You guys played great."

Steph and Katie did a little high five into a hug, and it was actually really cute. From one captain to another. From one Arsenal player to another. Gunner to gunner.

"Katie, this is Katerina." Steph introduced me. I'm not going to lie, it kind of feels weird being introduced as 'Kat' or 'Katerina' now, I have so many nicknames

"Oh, this is KitKat! Yeah we played against you as Chelsea a while ago didn't we? Sorry I never got to actually talk to you-"

"Hey! Find your own nickname, KitKat is our nickname for her!" Caitlin joked as she ran up to us, hugging Katie.

Katie returned the hug, the two acting almost couple like. I make a mental note of this.

"Aren't you being a bit too possessive of Kat?" Katie says, reverting back to my typical nickname. "It's fine, together we're Katie and Katy." She states, before stealing me away from Steph and throwing her arms around me.

"How'd you get Katy from Katerina!" Caitlin blurts out, complete bewilderment painted on her face.

"I just did!" Katie retaliates, the two of them bickering like an old married couple. Then, the Irish captain turns back to look at me. "We're very similar y'know, Katy."

I hum, raising my eyebrows and letting her continue.

"I get carded a lot-"

"More than a lot." Cait mutters under her breath.

"Anyways," Katie continues after giving Cait a look. "I get carded a lot, and you get people carded a lot!"

"It was only two yellows-"

"SO MANY CARDS!" She yells, ignoring me and I can't help but giggle at her energy.

Steph shakes her head. "Katie-"

Both Katie and I look at her.

"No, McCabe Katie. I don't think we realise how much of a struggle this is going to be. We have Katie, Katy, and Cait." Steph says, pointing to Katie, myself and Caitlin respectively.

Katie takes a moment to think about it, then tilts her head sharply, "You're right, it's a struggle. But not my problem!"

"You're going to be the one with neck problems from turning around at every 'Kate' and 'Katie' that's called out!"

"Not my problem!" She chants, before she, Cait and Steph begin bickering and conversing.

I walk towards Sam, who's walking around and chatting with some players. "Sammy!"

"KitKat!" She walks towards me, and the fact that she doesn't limp is always a relief to me, even though I know her injury is very minor. Sam pulls me into a tight hug, "You did so good, you did perfect!"

"I know, I know, clean sheet. I'm just amazing like that." I say sarcastically.

"Yes, the prodigy is perfect." Sam says, mirroring my sarcasm and ruffling the loose strands of hair that have escaped my tight braids.

***

Ollie

hey i saw your game

congrats!

maybe when you see this
we could go out?

to celebrate your win ofc