by Jake Maddox
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1: NEW SCHOOL
CHAPTER 2: A NEW TEAM
CHAPTER 3: THE FIRST GAME
CHAPTER 4: BALL HOG
CHAPTER 5: SHOWING OFF
CHAPTER 6: RIDING THE BENCH
CHAPTER 7: ODD GIRL OUT
CHAPTER 8: PLAYING AS A TEAM
CHAPTER 9: BACK IN THE GAME
Chapter 1
NEW SCHOOL
Gina Gonzalez noticed the sign as soon as she approached River City Middle School. A banner that read “Home of the River City Raiders!” hung across the entrance.
Gina smiled. That could be my new team, she thought. I could be a Raider!
All around her, kids hurried into the building. Gina’s stomach was tied in knots. River City Middle School was at least twice the size of her old school.
All I have to do is make it through the day, Gina thought. Then I can go to soccer tryouts.
Just then, the first bell rang. Gina pretended she was on the soccer field and pushed down the hall to her homeroom.
* * *
The end of the day could not come fast enough for Gina. As soon as the bell rang, she ran to her locker, put on her cleats, and headed for the soccer field behind the school.
At first, she was the only one there. Within minutes, groups of girls in red jerseys made their way onto the field. Some practiced passing. Others bounced the soccer balls on their knees or heads. They were all laughing and smiling, and Gina relaxed a little.
One of the girls closest to Gina smiled at her. “Hey, I’m Rachel,” she said, smoothing her hair back into a ponytail. “You must be new.”
Gina nodded. “Yep,” she said. “I’m Gina.”
“It’s nice to meet you!” said Rachel. “Let me introduce you to some of the other girls.”
Rachel turned and waved to some girls across the field. “New girl!” she called.
Rachel’s friends immediately hurried over. “We love new girls,” one of the girls said happily. “I’m Becca, by the way.”
“I’m Lara,” said another. “I’m glad you’re trying out. We could use some new players to spice things up. We hardly won any games last season.”
Gina bounced on her toes and clutched her ball. “I’ll do my best,” she promised.
“That’s all I can ask of my players,” a voice behind Gina said. “For them to do their best.”
Gina turned around and saw a tall woman holding a whistle and a clipboard. The woman raised her whistle and blew it sharply. The rest of the players immediately came running in.
Gina followed the lead of the other girls as they sat in a circle in the middle of the field.
“For those who don’t know me, I’m Coach Grant,” the woman said. “During today’s tryouts, I’ll be looking for each of your strengths and to see how you’ll work with the team.”
“We’ll start with passing today,” Coach Grant continued. “Pair up, and let’s see what you can do.”
Gina turned to Rachel. “Want to be partners?” she asked hopefully.
“Sure,” Rachel said with a grin. “We’re going to rock this.”
Coach Grant tossed several soccer balls onto the field. One of the balls landed at Gina’s feet, and she stopped it with her instep. In one smooth motion, she passed it to Rachel.
“Nice work!” called Coach Grant from the sidelines, and Gina beamed.
Rachel stopped the ball and used the inside of her foot to pass it back to Gina.
“Way to work those feet, girls,” the coach called.
Gina tapped the ball with her toes. Then she passed it back to Rachel. After they’d practiced passing for several more minutes, Coach Grant blew her whistle to get their attention.
“Okay, let’s split into two groups to practice dribbling,” the coach shouted. She motioned for Gina, Rachel, and a few other girls to go first. “Take it down the field, ladies!”
Gina and the other girls each grabbed a ball and dribbled down the pitch. Gina made sure to keep the ball under control, tapping it back and forth between her feet as she ran.
“Very nice, girls! Bring it in!” Coach Grant shouted as they reached the end of the field.
While Gina, Rachel, and the other six girls rested on the sidelines, the next group ran to the field. Gina saw the coach write something in her notebook.
“You better breathe, or you’ll pass out,” said a voice beside Gina.
Gina jumped. It was only Rachel, but Gina had been concentrating so hard on the field, she hadn’t heard her come up beside her.
“I’m a little nervous,” Gina admitted.
Rachel nodded. “Me too, but you were awesome out there,” she said. “You can really control the ball.”
“Thanks,” said Gina, blushing.
Coach blew her whistle again. “Nice job, everyone. Time to do some power kicking. Line ‘em up!” she said.
All the girls ran to the field. Coach Grant got into position in front of the net to play goalie. Each time the coach blew her whistle, a new girl ran to kick the ball into the net.
When it was Gina’s turn, she took aim and kicked the ball with a powerful thwack! The ball sailed past Coach Grant’s fingers and into the net.
“Great kick!” Rachel said as Gina jogged to the back of the line.
“Okay, let’s take turns acting as goalie now,” Coach Grant called.
Gina cringed. She was a terrible goalie. When it was her turn, she stared intently at the ball, trying to figure out its path. She threw her body into each block. But she couldn’t even save half the shots.
“Don’t worry,” Rachel told her afterward. “Besides, goalie is kind of my thing. What we really need is someone to score goals.”
Gina was starting to feel better when Lara joined them.
“You were great out there,” Lara said. “Coach would be crazy not to put you on the team.”
“Thanks,” said Gina, smiling. She just hoped they were right.
Chapter 2
A NEW TEAM
The next day at school, Gina’s stomach was in knots. The team list was supposed to be up at the end of the day. As soon as the final bell rang, Gina bolted from her classroom. When she got to the gym, Rachel, Lara, and Becca were already waiting.
“You’re as antsy as we are,” said Lara.
“I could barely focus all day,” said Gina.
Becca laughed. “That makes four of us!” she said.
Finally, the gym doors swung open, and the girls all pushed inside to look at the list.
Rachel got there first, and Gina heard her squeal excitedly.
“We all made it!” said Rachel. “I knew we would!”
Rachel pulled Gina, Becca, and Lara into a huddle, and the girls jumped up and down. Just then, Coach Grant walked into the gym.
“Welcome, Raiders!” the coach said. “I’m very excited about the new faces on the team this year.”
Gina and the others cheered.
“But,” continued Coach Grant, “we have lots of practice to do before our first scrimmage this week.”
The coach kept talking, but Gina was only half listening. She was already picturing herself running across the field, passing the ball, and scoring goals with her power kicks.
In the distance, she heard the coach talking about teamwork and helping each other, but Gina kept daydreaming. Suddenly, she felt a sharp elbow poke her in the ribs.
“Wake up,” Rachel whispered. “Coach wants us to run through some drills.”
Gina blushed and followed Rachel into the locker room to get changed. She didn’t wan
t Coach to think she couldn’t focus.
Once they were out on the field, Rachel and Gina paired up again.
“Ready?” asked Rachel.
Gina nodded. “Yep, let’s go!” she called back.
Rachel bent her right knee slightly and used the inside of her foot to strike the center of the ball. She made sure to follow through with her kicking foot so that the inside of her foot ended facing Gina.
The ball zoomed quickly toward Gina, and she moved toward it to trap it with her toe.
“Nice!” Rachel called from the opposite end of the field.
Just then Coach Grant made her way to the girls.
I’m going to show her my special moves, Gina thought. She’ll have to be impressed when I show her how high I can kick the ball with the chip pass.
Gina placed her right toe at the bottom of the soccer ball and put her other foot against its side. Then she lifted the ball with her toe and sent it soaring through the air toward Rachel.
Rachel gave Gina a questioning look but stepped back and let the ball bounce off her chest. “Take it easy,” she called.
“Good job, girls,” Coach Grant said. “But I want you to focus on a simple dribbling and passing routine for now. Those are the most important skills in our games.”
Gina frowned, but did what the coach wanted for the rest of the practice.
Besides, I’ll have plenty of time to help the team at Friday’s game, Gina thought confidently.
Chapter 3
THE FIRST GAME
“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.
Chapter 4
BALL HOG
“Okay, girls, good work out there, but I need my defense to work together,” Coach Grant told them during halftime. “Offense, make sure you stay on the Tigers. Don’t give them any breathing room to pass.”
Gina nodded. Got it, she thought. No breathing room. I’ll be right there every time.
The Raiders had the ball at the start of the second half. Becca took the kickoff and passed the ball to Gina.
As soon as the ball touched her feet, Gina took control and dribbled down the field. She faked a pass and darted around a midfielder.
The Tigers’ defenders were closing in on her. From the corner of her eye, Gina caught a glimpse of Lara, who was wide open. Still, Gina held onto the ball.
From the sidelines, Coach Grant yelled, “Pass! Pass!”
But Gina was determined to show the coach that she could do it herself. Now or never, she thought.
Gina took aim and kicked the ball, sending it up into the air. It curved toward the goal, out of the goalie’s reach, and sailed into the back of the net. Score! The Raiders and Tigers were tied.
Gina saw the rest of the Raiders grinning too. She knew she’d done the right thing by not passing the ball. Everyone wanted to win as much as she did.
The Tigers took the next kickoff, and Gina watched as the player dribbled the ball down the field. She kept the ball securely between her feet, and Gina could tell stealing it away wouldn’t be easy.
Out of the corner of her eye, Gina saw Becca moving toward the opposing player too, but she blocked her way.
What if Becca misses? Gina thought. I better just do it.
Gina stole the ball and made a break for the goal. The Tigers’ defenders surrounded her, and she heard Lara yell, “I’m open! Pass!”
Gina ignored her teammate and kept running. She kicked hard — goal! Gina grinned happily. The Raiders were winning, and there were only two minutes left in the game.
If I can just stay on the ball, we’ll definitely win, thought Gina.
“Let me in there too, okay?” Becca whispered as the play began.
Gina nodded, but as soon as the ball was back in play, she took off. She wanted to keep the ball away from their goal. Rachel was a good goalie, but the Tigers seemed to know all her tricks.
One of the Tigers’ forwards passed the ball to her teammate, who dribbled toward the net. The Raiders’ defenders looked ready, but Gina didn’t want to chance it.
Just as Lara got close to the Tigers’ player with
the ball, Gina ran in and booted it away. Lara stumbled, and the whistle blew to end the game.
“We won!” Gina shouted. “We won!”
The rest of her teammates gave each other high fives, but they didn’t seem as excited as Gina had expected.
“Why’s everyone so down?” she asked.
Lara glared at Gina. “Maybe we’d feel a little better if you let someone else have a turn.” She turned and walked off the field, bumping Gina’s shoulder as she passed.
Gina looked at Becca. “What’s up with her?” she asked.
Becca sighed. “You’re not the only player on the team, you know,” she said, shaking her head.
Gina couldn’t understand why the Raiders were acting this way. She knew Coach Grant would understand.
Gina jogged over to her coach. “Good game, huh?” she said.
But the look on Coach Grant’s face said she didn’t agree. “I’m glad you’re enthusiastic, Gina,” she replied. “You’re certainly talented. But you need to remember that soccer is a team sport.”
Gina frowned. Didn’t the team want to win as much as she did? Didn’t her coach want that too?
Why don’t they want my help? she wondered.
Chapter 5
SHOWING OFF
Three days later, the Raiders were back on the field for their next game. This time they were playing the Mariners.
Gina looked around at her teammates. Everyone was in a good mood today. Unlike after the first game, no one was acting annoyed with her.
Maybe everyone was just tired at the end of the game, Gina thought. She knew she could get grumpy after a long, tiring game.
“Remember, ladies,” Coach Grant was saying, “we can win this one as long as we work as a team.”
“If all of us work together, we can definitely win,” Becca whispered to Gina.
Gina nodded excitedly. She was all for working together . . . as long as the Raiders won.
