The first soccer match

“I’ll pass,” you reply. “Today is our first soccer match. I’m heading to the field.”

Ben shrugs. “Suit yourself. More for me.”

You split off from them and make your way to the soccer pitch. The girls are already there warming up, stretching, jogging, and doing light drills. Coach Ramirez is barking orders like usual.

You join in the warm-up, and the team greets you enthusiastically. Jackie gives you a little smile when she sees you. Claire comes from behind, claps you on the back.

“Ready to go, Jack?” she asks.

Before you can answer, the opposing team arrives, a mixed-gender squad from another school. They look confident. Then, to your surprise, you spot Saoirse and her full cheerleading squad marching onto the sidelines in their uniforms. Despite all her earlier complaining, she’s here.

Saoirse catches your eye and crosses her arms, but she still starts directing the cheerleaders into formation.

Coach Ramirez claps her hands. “Alright team! Let’s show them what we’ve got!”

The Match

The whistle blows and the game begins.

The first half is intense. The other team is strong, especially their boys in midfield, but your team fights hard. Claire is a wall in defense, barking orders and winning almost every tackle.

“Keep shape! Jack, drop deeper if you need to!” Coach Ramirez yells from the sideline.

You play as the number 10, linking up play beautifully. In the 18th minute, you thread a perfect through ball to Jackie. The redhead takes it in stride and slots it past the keeper.

1-0

The cheerleaders erupt. Saoirse, despite herself, leads them in a loud cheer: “Let’s go, Clear Water! Go! Go!! Goo!!!”

You grin and high-five Jackie as she runs back.

The other team equalizes quickly, but you respond. Just before halftime, you receive the ball on the edge of the box, fake out a defender, and curl a beautiful shot into the top corner.

2-1

Half-time score: 2-1 to you.

In the second half, you guys turn it on. You assist Jackie twice more, once with a chipped pass over the defense, and once with a low cross that she finishes clinically. Jackie gets her hat-trick, beaming with confidence.

4-1

The other team pulls one back late in the game (4-2), but your defense, led by Claire’s commanding presence, holds firm. Coach Ramirez is hoarse from yelling instructions the entire match.

Final whistle blows.

Final Score: 4-2

The team explodes in celebration. Jackie runs straight to you and hugs you tightly, still riding the high of her hat-trick. The girls swarm you, cheering and patting you on the back. Even Claire cracks a rare big smile.

On the sidelines, Saoirse finishes leading one last cheer before shooting you a look that’s half-annoyed, half-impressed.

Coach Ramirez gathers everyone. “That’s how we do it! Great work out there, especially our new number 10!”