The team was practicing a couple days before their next game. They were almost finished when Jill called them in.
"Okay, meet in the center circle," she yelled to the team scattered across the field. She stood in the middle while everyone jogged over.
"Okay, we're trying a new drill to work on corner kicks," Jill began. "They'll be a goalkeeper in both goals and the other will work with Drew and the coaches. The goalkeepers will switch stations every ten minutes." She glanced at the goalkeepers, each of them nodding in understanding.
"Defenders, mids, and forwards split equally into two groups. Start from the corner and play like a scrimmage. Make sure you practice from both corners. Understood," Jill asked, looking around the circle. After receiving nods from the entire group, she continued.
"Okay. I want Brian and Rapinoe on different teams. You'll be the ones giving most of the corners. Harris and Naeher start in the goals. Solo, you'll start with Drew," Jill instructed. "Split into your teams. We'll do this the rest of practice." The team dispersed to their spots.
Shouts were heard from the captains of each group as they began.
"Find your person and stay on them," Becky yelled to her group of defenders.
"Pinoe, send it in," Abby shouted to Megan who was waiting on the corner.
Alyssa positioned herself by the post, keeping an eye on the ball as it flew towards the center of the box. She shuffled over just as Christen connected with the ball. She dove, blocking and sending the ball out into left field. The drill continued like a scrimmage until the ball went out of bounds or was scored before starting from a corner again.
The team was in the last rotation. Everything was going well. The corners were making it into the box and reaching the players. The goalkeepers only let a few balls in.
Alyssa stood in the goal as Megan sent another ball in. This one was curving around to the front of the goal. She couldn't let that one land. She ran out of the goal and positioned herself in the balls projection. She jumped with the defenders and forwards, arms outstretched for the ball.
She got hold of the ball but the jumble of bodies made her hands stumble, the ball slipping through her hands and hitting her in the head. The blow disorientated her landing and she landed on the ball, barely escaping hitting the ground face first. Her head was still spinning as the other players got back up. Becky ran over and bent over Alyssa.
"Hey, are you okay," she said. Alyssa got up, her head still dizzy. She nodded, pushing the dizziness away.
"Yeah, I'm good," she managed to say.
"Okay, nice block," Becky complimented. Kling and Julie came over and said a quick "good job" before running back to position.
Alyssa's head was beginning to throb but she ignored it. We're in the last rotation. Practice is almost over. I can tough it out.
A few minutes later, Jill called the end of practice. Her and Dawn gave a quick review of the training before dismissing the girls to the locker rooms. They quickly changed and got on the bus, heading back to the hotel. After showering, they gathered in the ballroom for dinner.
Alyssa slowly made her way downstairs. Morgan and Kling ran up beside her.
"Hey, are you okay? You look a little out of it," Kling asked as she eyed Alyssa.
"Yeah. Just got knocked by the ball a little," she replied. They nodded, dropping the subject to talk about the upcoming game. At dinner, they got their food and sat down at one of the tables. Alyssa didn't have an appetite, choosing to pick at her food. The throbbing had just begun again.
"Hey You. Alyssa," Morgan called, grabbing her attention, "You sure you're okay?"
"You did take a hit during training," Julie said concerned.
"Yes, I'm fine," she sighed, tired of the same question.
"You should go to talk to Dawn after dinner. Make sure you didn't get a concussion," Julie suggested. Alyssa mumbled a response.
The rest of dinner seemed to drag on. Alyssa finally got up and put her plate away. She told the group she was going back to her room and began walking out the door. She groaned and closed her eyes as the pounding in her head increased. Suddenly, someone pulled her aside.
"Hey, you almost ran into the door," Hope said, laughing slightly. She noticed Alyssa's grimace and dazed eyes. "Did you get hit during training? You need to see Dawn."
"No, I'm fine. I just want to get to my room," Alyssa said tiredly. Hope was about to protest when Ashlyn came over and joined the pair.
"Okay, we'll go with you then," she said, although she secretly shook her head to Hope. She mouthed 'Dawn' and began walking towards the elevator with Alyssa. Hope nodded and followed along.
Once they made it upstairs, they turned in the opposite direction of Alyssa's room. She didn't notice, raising red flags in Ashlyn and Hope's heads.
"Okay, here's your room," Ashlyn said, knocking on the door.
"Wait, Kling and I are in room 852. This is--"
She was interrupted by the door opening. Dawn stood in the doorway.
"Hello girls. Is something the matter," she asked.
"No." "Yes." She received both answers.
"Alyssa may have gotten a concussion," Hope said.
"No, I didn't," Alyssa fired back.
"You didn't even notice when we turned in the wrong direction," Ashlyn argued.
"Okay. Why don't you come in? We'll check you out to be sure. I heard that you may have taken a hit but the coaches were uncertain whether you hit your head or not," Dawn said letting them into the room. Ashlyn and Hope gently pushed a reluctant Alyssa into the room.
Dawn checked Alyssa for symptoms, asking her to complete various tasks. Alyssa didn't have a concussion, but she advised that she rest and take it easy. She eventually got better after a few days. However, she wouldn't have if it weren't for her teammates.
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Author's note.
I wasn't sure on this prompt, but I decided to just go ahead and try it. I hope you enjoyed the prompt!
And thank you for reading!
