We had been through six 60-minute soccer games with three
wins, three ties, and no score against us, to qualify us to the final of the 2022
SoccerFest in Chattanooga. We would be playing against the top team who earned
the most points, and against whom we tied 0-0 in an earlier game. Our team went
out to an early dinner to celebrate and to allow us time to rest for the fierce
battle ahead. I did not order wine, figuring I would have a glass later in the
evening. But I was tired and went to bed early, sans wine. I was glad to be
able to fall asleep quickly, after rolling out my aching muscles with a tennis
ball and did other exercises I thought would help me stay strong and flexible
for the game. My right ankle was swollen at the spot that I had strained a day
before the tournament. I put ice on it. As I lay in bed, my mind drifted to
soccer moves and my reactions to the imaginary plays. I was nervous before each
and every game and I was nervous that night. I was able to calm myself down
somehow, but when I woke in the morning, the nerves came back to haunt me.
I was a bundle of nerves. I couldn’t shake the nervous
feelings away. After all, we made it to the final and Sharon said that was a
win already. Holly said we would have a medal no matter what happened next. I
found it comforting to talk to Sharon who shared my nervousness. I asked her
earlier in the week if she was nervous before a game. She said “I am so bad,”
and added she did not know why we would do that to ourselves.
I texted Tom, Lan, and George about being a bundle of nerves.
Lan wished me good luck. I needed it.
At the field, I put on the thick ankle braces, which made putting
on shoes a bit difficult. I put my left knee brace on as I did for the previous
game. It felt as though I wore too many things because my feet didn’t feel
quite comfortable in the shoes, but I shook the uncomfortable feelings away. It
was too late to make any adjustments. The game was about to start.
It was decided that the game would be a 70-minute game with a
running-clock for water breaks. Both teams felt that would be better than playing
a 90-minute game in the Tennessee summer heat.
I was surprised and not too relieved when I learned we would
have the 3-4-3 line-up rather than the more conservative 4-4-2 that we had
against this team before. I had loved the 4-4-2 line-up and felt more confident
in the defense line. But we started the game and played on. As in previous
games, once the game started, I was immersed in it and the nervousness went
away. We needed the focus and concentration that nerves had no place for. I thought
I sensed in the beginning that the other team was tired, but I was surprised me
to observe they were strong in their offense. The big and strong opponent (called
“Navy SEAL” by Sara) whom I had shut out the previous game was able to make several
runs down the flank. She eventually made a goal when I exchanged places with
Hannah and we failed to contain her. The Navy SEAL was very nice. She always
complimented us for a good play.
We scored in the second half (a goal made by Holly – my team
said it was from a corner kick, but for some reason, I thought it was from a
free kick) and the game stayed tied 1-1 until the whistle blew. I thought the
shoot-out would occur then and my part was over, but two 5-minute overtime halves
were added. Our coach had a strategy that almost worked. We dominated and kept
the ball on the opponents’ side of the field. I could feel the other team was
getting tired, including their goalie. We were energized, but the 5-minute halves
were short and did not give us enough time to do damages. Gayle took me out
before the last 5-minute half ended to prepare for the shoot-out. I didn’t know
that only the players on the field get to shoot. Had I stayed, I probably
wouldn’t be needed because after five shots on goal for each team, we got 4 goals
versus 3 for the opponents. We had won!!!
It was exhilarating. I felt almost certain we would win. I
imagined we wanted to win more.
My teacher who came to watch me play in Escondido watched me
from heaven.
Sara told me the defense was called “the dome” by teammates.
I am honored to be a part of the NOVA WFC team.
The bundle of nerves had been long gone.
And we brought home the gold!
I love women’s soccer.
The game.
