CHAPTER SIX
“Okay, Strikers, look alive!” Coach Mike called from the sidelines the next afternoon. He stood with his hands on his hips. He hoped his team was ready.
Out on the field, the Strikers were ready for the kickoff against the Thunder. Brooke was facing off against a tall girl with braces and a brown ponytail.
Back in her new position, Alex crossed her fingers and took a deep breath.
No one had talked to her as they’d arrived for the game, but her mom was right. She wasn’t a Tiger Moth anymore. She was a Striker now, and she had to adjust. Alex needed to be a better team player.
Tweeeet! The ref’s whistle sounded. Brooke and the Thunder’s center fought for the ball. Brooke gained control. The parents on the sidelines cheered loudly as she swiftly dribbled toward the goal.
A Thunder defender was on her, but she passed to the left. Nadia captured the ball, ducking around a Thunder defender, and shot at the goal.
The Thunder’s goalie slid left and caught the ball with her arms outstretched over her head.
The players fought for position as the Thunder’s goalie threw the ball toward the tall center. The center easily blocked the ball, whipping around and dribbling fast down the field. The Thunder’s coach yelled and jumped up and down on the sidelines.
The girl came closer, and Alex tensed for action. Christie ran up to the girl and stole the ball. Alex saw her looking around for someone to pass to. This was her chance!
“Here, Christie!” she yelled, jumping up and waving her arms. But Christie glanced over and looked away fast. She passed instead to Brooke, even though she had two Thunder defenders guarding her.
Why didn’t Christie pass to me? Alex wondered. She was way closer and more open than Brooke.
But Alex didn’t have time to think about the situation for very long. The Striker center had regained control of the ball again and was dribbling toward her, fast.
Alex swooped in front of the girl, neatly stealing the ball. Then, as carefully as she could, dribbled forward and shot to Nadia. There. She breathed a tiny sigh of relief.
The whole team had seen her stay in position and shoot to the offense, just like she was supposed to.
But her teammates must not have noticed. Just before halftime, another forward, Marissa, had the ball on a corner kick. Alex positioned herself for the ball, but Marissa looked at her and looked away. She shot straight to Christie, who dribbled it up to Nadia.
Alex was sad and confused. She went through the motions of playing the game, but her mind was whirling.
Was her team ignoring her? How was she going to prove that she was a team player if they wouldn’t pass to her? Alex could feel sweat collecting on her forehead, and not just because of the heat of the day.
Tweeet! The ref blew his whistle. “That’s the half!” he shouted.
Alex headed for the sidelines with relief. Maybe everything would get cleared up during the break.