We've been working for month, now it was finally time. Running down to all the wet muddy fields, with my black soccer shorts, and my white AYSO travel jersey on. My long, brunette hair tied up in a messy bun, falling out here an there, and black lines streaked across both my cheeks, that showed the other teams, i meant business. As i ran i could feel my feet getting wet and realized i didn't have my cleats on yet. So i stopped and quickly put them on and tied up my laces, while i heard screaming overhead. I looked up to see my team, all running towards me with huge smiles, and lagging behind was the coach's 3 year old son, Austin.
After we all got checked in and registered, we all headed over to where our tent was set up, to get ready, for in a mere 15 minutes, we had our first game.
As we all warmed up and got into positions on the field, you could feel the intensity on the field. The girls on the other team looked like they were confident in winning. I looked all around my team, and in that moment, i swear everything slowed down. Then the sound of the whistle, and everything then, happened so fast! Before i knew it, my team walked away in victory. This put us in 4th out of 5 teams.
When our 2nd game came, it happened the same way, and again, we walked away screaming in victory! But then, the last game of the day was against the toughest team in the league. Tuscarora.
In our very first game of the season, we played them. They beat us 2-1 and took out almost 4 of our team mates, in injuries. So all of my team, was very anxious. But people who were anxious and nervous, never win.
"We must be strong, and confident, do not let them discourage you!" I yelled to my team.
But as the game was happening, it was like we were unstoppable. When the final whistle blew, everyone cheered, because even though we tied, we were going to the championships.
As all the girls on the field gathered up their stuff, our coach ran to see what place we were in. When he came back, the biggest, brightest smile was across his face.
"Were in second" He announced
"But How"? Many of the girls asked "We only played twice".
"The other Gettysburg team lost all their games, putting them in 5th, Biglerville lost once to Tuscarora, putting them in 4th, littlestown tied both games, putting them in 3rd, and we won and tied, putting us in 2nd and Tuscarora in 1st" He explained.
"Now i want all of you to go home, get a really good, restful sleep, and don't eat too much for breakfast! Tomorrow, we go to the championships ladies, and we plan on winning"!
After his grand speech, we all went home. But the next day came faster than ever. As i got dressed in my soccer uniform and reapplied my black lines, i stared in the mirror at myself for a few moments. I was proud. Proud to be playing soccer. Proud to be who i am. And proud we be on my team.
Nerves stirring, i hopped in the car, and we drove back to where the tournament took place. When we got there, my entire team was already there. As we warmed up, a lot of us said about being nervous. For we had to play one more game, before they could decide who was going to the championships, and this team beat the other Gettysburg team 14-1. But my coach told us not to worry, and gave us a major pep talk before the game. We ran out on the field. Confident
Ill never forget playing that game. In the last 12 seconds, the ball rolled back at a perfect and precise speed, and i just happened to be standing in the perfect spot. As i kicked the ball, it drove straight into the left corner. perfect.
I did it! I shot the ball from midfield and scored the goal that won the game! We all whooped and yelled while running off the field, excited because we knew, now we were going to the championships for sure.
