Page 106 of Redeeming Heart

“We need to be as ruthless as them. Don’t be afraid of stepping on their toes or taking a hit. We are just as fast at them. Remember they have been doing this for years, it’s my first time in three years since I am a part of this again.”

We headed back out to the field when we were called and because they ended with getting a goal, they got to the first hit of the ball.

“Let’s swop places,” I told Clarissa before we got into our stands.

She gave me a questioning look but we swopped out.

We were off at the blow of the whistle and I used my momentum to run past the defenders and met the ball carrier before they could pass the ball out to their teammate. Clarissa was right behind me when I got possession of the ball and went for goal.

I handed the ball off to Clarissa who went for the shot but missed the goal and once the goalkeeper tried to flick it over to their teammate but I intervened and went for a goal which successfully went through making sure I didn’t break any rules that could cost us.

I was embraced by my screaming teammates who seemed a bit baffled by m performance.

“I told you that we have to be ruthless as them,” I said with a smile as we jogged back over to the side of our field.

“Thanks for keeping up,” I said to Clarissa—shaking her hand.

“Do you want to share with us where you got that speed from?” She jokingly asked.

We went for the first knock of the ball which we lost during making our way for a goal, but the opposing team got a penalty against them when they had two players surrounding Megan when they went to steal the ball from her.

We were awarded a penalty stroke which stops the clock and one single player goes for a penalty shot which is 7.0 yards in front of the center of the goal.

The goalkeeper stands with both feet on the goal line and the attacking player within playing distance.

Nobody else is allowed to intervene until the attacking player goes for a goal. Only after a 15m free hit does the game resumes if a goal is not scored.

I started making my way back over to my team when I raised my head and was met by two familiar grey eyes. Brandon and his team were in the crowd cheering us on—standing beside my father and Meredith.

Their cheering only went louder when they were sure I noticed them and raised the banner in the air that they made for us.

Brandon gave me the “thumbs up” and I returned the gesture by pointing my finger at him before jogging over to my team who was patiently waiting for me.

“Who’s taking the shot?” Clarissa asked and my whole team was looking at me.

“Megan,” I answered.

I have faith in her that she can score us a goal.

“What? Why not you?” Megan asked.

“They will expect that,”

We have to catch them by surprise as often as we can.

“You heard her, let’s go,” Isabelle said, chasing everyone to get to their positions.

“Are you sure about this?” She asked, blocking me from going.

I nodded.

“Yes, you gotta put faith in your teammates. Megan is a great striker.” Isabella nodded and let me go.

We got into our stands and watched Megan going for the penalty shot. She decided to go for a scoop and flick motion. We cheered when she got it past the goalkeeper and scored a goal. There was only one minute left on the clock and all we had to do was knock it out and we would end up winning the game, but the team pushed and got in another goal just to make a point.

We embraced each other when the umpire called the game to an end.

“Whoo-hoo, we made it!” Tammy cheered embracing us with a jump that knock us off our feet. I just winched when I knocked my elbow into the ground, but smiled and laughed with my team.

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