The Franklin Match: Breaking Through

The second half starts out with a bang. As predicted, the Franklin team quickly wins possession and storms into your half, ready to replicate the success of their first half. This time, however, your team has a sense of purpose. You play compact at the back, shutting down their attack, while Daphne and Jack at the front are constantly weaving between the lines of their defense, ready to make a run the moment an opportunity arises.

The first attempt your team makes doesn’t quite work out. Jason hoofs the ball up far and Jack sprints after it, but though he beats the defender, the ball goes out the side before he can reach it. It’s a good try.

On the throw-in, they assemble a lightning quick attack down the wing. You try stopping the winger, closing down on her fast, but she makes a fast move to the side, faking you out. She tries to cross the ball right into the box, but you manage to pivot just in time, sticking a foot out to block the pass. Surprised, she stumbles, and you manage to win back possession, getting the ball to Valentine.

The next ten minutes pass by without much action. You tighten up more defensively, giving the opposition no chances in. Your strategy pays off. They start getting sloppier, and that finally gives you the opening that your team’s been looking for. Katie’s the one to find the angle this time, playing out a long ball to Daphne. She sprints ahead, dribbling the ball with breathtaking speed, two defenders hot on her heels, but it’s clear that this is going to end up becoming a one on one. Their keeper sprints out of the goal in a last ditch attempt at defense. He’s large, low to the ground, ready to dive whichever way the ball goes. Instead, Daphne chips the ball high, and you struggle to hold in laughter as you watch the goalie throw his hands up in desperation. He’s tall, but not ten feet tall. The ball arcs neatly over him and rolls into the goal.

“Nice pass,” you call out to Katie, and she gives you a thumbs up as your team celebrates.

There’s no chance to relax. Not five minutes later, and a thunderous shot from one of their midfielders is barely stopped by Keegan. The ball goes out for a corner. They play it short, transitioning into the kind of gameplay that they’ve been practicing all game long. It’s unexpected, and you half-flinch as you see the ball making its way to an unmarked striker. Though it’s too late to stop the pass from completing, you hurl your body in front of the striker, your back to the ball. He tries to volley it, but you get yourself there just in time, and the ball miraculously deflects off your ass. It rebounds into Valentine’s feet, and she hurriedly clears the ball, ending the play there.

“I didn’t know you were such a beefcake,” Val quips, as the other team takes a second to get their throw-in together.

“Glad to know my workouts are paying off,” you laugh, giving your butt a good rub. That’s going to be sore tomorrow, you already know. Such is the cost of glory.

With scores level and the game drawing towards its conclusion, you’re worried that this might end in a tie. But you’re not prepared to accept that yet. You’ve got enough in the tank to make something happen. You drop back slightly, slowing down your runs and feigning fatigue, giving the striker that you’re marking a bit more space to work with. He calls for the ball the next time he’s open, and he’s given a pass aimed straight for his legs. It would be a beautiful pass, except for the fact that you’ve suddenly cut in, taking all your forward momentum with you as you press ahead with the stolen ball. You manage to beat one of the midfielders with a bit of clever footwork, and then get the ball to Mars. This time, you all know the plan. Daphne and Jack sprint the moment Mars finds the angle, kicking the ball deep, but their defense has grown slightly wiser to your tricks. They’re ready for the move too, running back in pace with your attackers, and so though Jack manages to win the ball in a quick aerial duel, he has to head it backwards. It ends up at Katie’s feet. She passes it across the pitch to Khloe, who has miles of open space to work with, and the second twin manages to take the ball into the box. The Franklin defense has regrouped, somewhat, with three of them in the box now. Khloe takes a shot anyways. It’s a good effort, looking like it’s going to curl in just under the crossbar, but the keeper gets a hand on it, sending it back out. There’s a tangle of limbs in the ensuing chaos, everyone trying to get their foot on the ball. One of their defenders manages to send the ball back out, but it’s a **** clearance, one that Katie easily receives. She takes a shot, and this time, it’s golden. The goal is a low and fast winner that the keeper couldn’t quite see between all the surprised defenders.

There are cheers all around as the team celebrates. With only minutes left on the clock, that’s almost sure to be the winner. And sure enough, after a tense passage of play, the ref blows the final whistle, and you pump your fist in victory. 2-1 to Stonewall. Sweet, sweet victory.

Daphne +5
Katie +5
Khloe +5
Jack +5
Keegan +5
Charlie +5
Jason +5
Javier +5
Mars +5
Valentine +5