Chapter 3
“Is everyone ready for some soccer?” Coach Grant asked the team at their first game Friday afternoon. They were playing the Tigers, a team from a nearby middle school.
“Yeah!” the Raiders cheered excitedly from the sidelines.
“Remember,” the coach said, “watch the ball, the other team, and your own teammates. Teamwork is key.”
Gina bounced with excitement. She couldn’t wait to get on the field and play a real game.
The referee threw a coin in the air, and the field was silent as everyone waited for it to come down.
“Heads,” the referee said when the coin landed. “Kickoff goes to the Tigers.”
The Raiders groaned but got into position on the field. The Tigers’ center midfielder stepped up for the kickoff. She kicked the ball lightly to the midfielder on her left, who immediately passed it back.
The second the ball touched her cleat again, the center midfielder took off up the field, dribbling the ball between her feet as she ran. Gina and Becca, who were both playing midfield, hustled after her.
Gina watched the other player’s feet as she tried to figure out the best way to steal the ball. Becca caught Gina’s eye, and Gina moved her head slightly to show they should close in on the Tiger.
Becca ran faster, racing up on the Tiger’s left while Gina closed in on the right. But the Tigers’ player was in tune with her surroundings. Just when Gina made a move for the ball, the other player passed the ball up the field to one of the Tigers’ forwards.
Lara, playing defense, tried to get in front of the ball. The Tigers’ forward was getting too close to the Raiders’ goal. But the Tigers moved quickly, and Rachel didn’t stand a chance. The ball grazed her shoulder and landed inside the goal. The Tigers were up by one, and it was the Raiders’ turn to kick off.
Becca took the kickoff and passed it to Gina. She dribbled it down the field, keeping an eye on the Tigers’ offense. One of the Tigers’ midfielders crowded her, and Gina looked for an open Raiders’ player to pass to.
She spotted Amy, one of the other midfielders, and kicked the ball across the field to her. Amy dribbled the ball between the Tigers’ defense, getting closer to the goal. But suddenly, one of the Tigers’ defenders swooped in, knocking the ball away. Luckily, Becca broke free and managed to recover the ball.
Becca moved closer to the goal, trying to find a clear shot. Thwack! She sent the ball soaring past the Tigers’ goalie and into the net. The Raiders hugged each other and jumped up and down. They were tied 1-1.
There were still three minutes left in the first half, and the Raiders were back in the game. Unfortunately, the Tigers had the ball. The Tigers’ coach called a time-out, and Gina watched as they huddled up to discuss their strategy.
I wonder what they’re planning, she thought.
Gina moved over to where Becca and Amy stood. “We need to be on top of our passing,” said Gina.
“Agreed,” Becca said.
The referee blew the whistle, and the game started up again. As soon as the ball was back in play, Gina, Becca, and Amy zoomed in on the Tigers’ forward with the ball, but she managed to pass to one of her teammates.
Then the forward tried to sprint around the Raiders’ players to complete the pass. The Raiders tried to cover her, but she was too fast.
Gina tried to focus, but she was frustrated. All this teamwork is slowing us down, she thought. I wish I could just run down the field myself and score a goal.
There were only five seconds left in the first half, and the Tigers knew how to time it. One of their forwards took aim and kicked the ball toward the Raiders’ goal.
Rachel couldn’t make the save. The ball sailed into the net just as the whistle blew to signal the end of the first half.
The Raiders were losing.