The next week of JV practices were the best yet. With Melina as the new vice captain, the middle school girls finally felt like part of the team. And after Melina’s talk and Coach’s official support, even Rose had grudgingly accepted them as full members.
Saturday morning was the Bulls’ next game. This time they were facing up against the Old Town Owls. Rose and Melina stood side-by-side in the team huddle.
“All right, on three,” Rose said. She was the loud one, after all. “All for one, one for all. One, two, three!”
“All for one!” the team shouted together. “One for all!”
As the JV Bulls got into position, Melina, Nora, and Prissy headed to the bench. They weren’t starting again, but it was okay. Melina knew they weren’t the strongest players on the team — vice captain or not.
For the first half of the game, both teams were scoreless. Melina hoped she would get some playtime, but the high school girls were fired up and playing hard. Even though no subs were called for, the three middle schoolers still cheered wildly at every opportunity.
The Bulls took the kickoff to start the second half. The first drive was strong, and Rose set up Jana for a clear shot on goal. But the Owls keeper was quick. She grabbed the ball and punted it clear.
Both teams were playing aggressively. The Owls charged on the Bulls goal. Their center faked left, sending the Bulls keeper in a dive the wrong way. The Owls player fired a shot into the right corner.
Melina and the whole bench gasped as the ball just caught the outside of the post and flew out of bounds. It was the Bulls’ ball.
With only a few minutes left on the play clock, Rose and Jana attacked. Rose put her foot on top of the ball and pulled it back, then charged down the side. She passed across the box.
“Come on, Bulls!” Melina yelled, jumping off the bench.
Jana took the ball and broke away from her defender after some smooth footwork. She sprinted forward, then launched a strong shot.
The Owls keeper dove. The ball hit her gloves and rolled off to the side, crossing the thick white line next to the goal. The Bulls had a corner kick.
But something was wrong. Jana wasn’t getting ready for the kick — she was lying on the field, clutching her thigh.
Melina watched with worry as the ref and Coach Naranjo jogged over to the injured player. “Did you see what happened?” Melina asked the other middle schoolers.
Nora and Prissy shook their heads. “But she must’ve strained her hamstring,” Nora said. “When she was sprinting toward the goal or when she made the shot.”
Slowly, Jana got to her feet with Coach’s help. Melina and the rest of the team clapped for Jana as she came off the field, limping.
“That was a great shot, Jana,” Melina said.
Jana grimaced as she sat down on the bench, but she gave Melina a tight smile. “Thanks. It looks like you’ll be finishing the game now — go get ’em for me.”
Melina gave a determined nod. “Will do.”
Sure enough, Coach Naranjo waved her over. “Stern, you’re in for Jana. Kahn and Wilkins,” she called, “you’re up too. Let’s see if we can switch things up a bit.”
Melina and the two girls ran onto the field as two other Bulls players came off the field. She and Nora went in as forwards. Prissy took her place on defense.
Rose slammed the corner kick to where Melina, Nora, and two other Bulls were grouped in front of the goal, just inside the box. Melina jumped for the header, but an Owls defender jumped higher. The girl headed the ball back. Another Owls player swooped in and sent it flying down the field.
Luckily, Prissy and the defense were ready. Ivy cut off the striker at the box and stole the ball. She passed to Prissy, who launched the ball past midfield.
Rose was there, ready to take control. The captain dribbled through the Owls backfield, and then passed to Nora, who had gotten free along the left sideline.
Melina and Rose closed in together on the box. The Owls defenders ran into place, ready to protect their goal.
Heading toward the box, Nora dribbled down the left. She spun twice to lose her defenders. The goalkeeper moved close to the left post, making sure Nora couldn’t get an open shot.
“Loosen up!” Nora called to Rose and Melina in the box.
Rose dropped back to the top of the box. Melina swept across to the right side, where the goal was wide open. The three strikers were working perfectly together.
With only seconds left, Nora drew back like she was going to take the shot, but then she hit the ball with the inside of her foot. The ball sailed to Rose at the top of the box. Rose started to drive on goal, before quickly passing to Melina.
Melina took possession. The goal was wide open. She could almost take her time as she launched the ball into the right side of the net.
GOAL!
“Yes!” Melina shouted, pumping her fist.
Nora was the first one to throw an arm around her. “Great shot, Mel!” she exclaimed.
Prissy met her at center line and grabbed her for a hug. “One nothing!” she cried. “Nice shot.”
As the ref blew the whistle to signal the end of the game, Rose nudged Melina. “Pretty good shot,” she said.
“Thanks for the pass,” Melina replied as they walked together to shake hands with the Owls. “See? We make a pretty good team after all.”
Rose smiled. “You got it, vice captain.”