The season I worked so hard for has arrived: my senior year on the varsity girls soccer team. Everything I have ever prepared for in my soccer career leads up to this moment of walking onto the brightly colored, Middletown Knights turf field.
The night of our first game I could tell this team was special. We get along, not only as a team, but as friends. There is a special connection between everyone; we can do something special this year.
Halftime of the first game, lights are shining bright and the crowd is going wild. The student section is stomping, clapping and yelling. They chant, “Protect the castle!”
It is 1-0, Middletown against Brunswick. As of this moment, they want it more than us; it is obvious. Halfway through the second and Brunswick scores; it is tied, 1-1, with 15 minutes left in the game.
We fought hard, trying to get the ball in the back of the net. It is just not happening. We have many chances to score and win the game. We miss the goal every single time.
We’ve played our hearts out and the referee blows the final whistle. The crowd goes wild as we enter overtime, sudden death. Whoever scores first gets the goal and wins the game; we have 10 minutes to complete this task.
Overtime begins. The crowd’s cheers fill the entire stadium, “I believe that we will win! I believe that we will win!” Three minutes in and Erin Scarborough has a breakaway. Brunswick’s goalie comes rushing to her, trying to save the ball. With one tap to the left, Erin breaks free. She lands the ball in the back of the net.
We storm the field, filled with pride and joy. The team dogpiles on top of Erin with excitement, and the crowd goes wild! Chants, screams and the stomping of feet against the metal bleachers is all we can hear.
It is an unbelievable start to what will be an amazing season.