***
Sarimah was helping her father with his English homework when someone knocked on the door. Even though Izzy’s parents sometimes checked in on them, it was later than they normally visited. As her parents traded glances, Sarimah thought about how a knock on the door in Syria could be a dangerous thing.
Sarimah was surprised when her father answered the door to find Coach K. Sarimah wondered if she had done something wrong at the soccer practice. But her worry turned to excitement when Coach K invited her to play with the Blizzard.
With Sarimah translating, Coach K did his best to explain to her father.
“You have a very talented daughter,” the coach told Sarimah’s father. “But I probably don’t have to tell you that. Someone taught her. I’m guessing it was you.”
Sarimah translated for her father.
When her father responded, Coach K smiled. “Tell your father you didn’t make up that part,” he said.
“Tell him his flattery will not always work this well,” Sarimah’s father told her in Arabic.
“Does that mean I can play?” she asked.
“Yes, yes. I never wanted to stop you. I just wanted you to know what was most important: family and school.”
“I will never forget, Papa. Thank you!”
14
Up for a Challenge
Sarimah had played rough soccer before, but never against other girls. Usually, the boys knocked her over. She always tried to give some lumps back to them. She dipped her shoulder when going in for tackles. She slid for the ball. She kept her elbows out during corner kicks.
Sometimes it worked. But mostly she was just too small.
It was a good thing she had practised that, though, because she needed it now.
“Come on, girls,” Coach K shouted as the girls went through their drills. “We play for the city championship next weekend. Dig deep!”
The coach tossed out the red pinnies. Sarimah didn’t get one this time.
“I’ll make corner kicks. Red team attacks and the rest of you defend,” the coach told them.
He gathered up all the soccer balls and took them to one corner. He lined one ball up and curled it into the goal area. It landed a few yards in front of Sarimah, who had been battling against Giorgianna. Tamsen charged for it, and just got her head to it. It glanced off her forehead and out of bounds.
Coach K didn’t wait before sending in the next one. Sarimah steadied herself and lined up closely against Giorgianna. The coach took a long run to the ball. He connected and the ball bent right for Sarimah and Georgianna. Sarimah sprinted toward it and jumped. It skimmed just over her. A player from the red team connected with it. It banged low toward Marty, who jumped to her left.
“Nice save, ’keeper,” Izzy said, cheering. “Come on, Sarimah, let’s see you climb the ladder.”
It continued like that for another five minutes. Sarimah watched one ball after another soar overhead, or crash right in front of her. Her knee throbbed from diving for a kick that zipped across the goal, but she didn’t get anywhere close to hitting it.
The teams traded places, and then it was Sarimah’s turn to go for a goal. She was excited about getting the chance. The first corner kick was nearly perfect. It came, at the perfect speed, right to Sarimah’s head. She pushed as hard as she could into the turf and did all she could to keep her eyes open.
It worked and she met the ball head-on, but it curled well wide.
“Your shoulders are facing the wrong direction, Sarimah. But that was a good try,” the coach said. “Okay, my legs are sore. Sarimah, why don’t you take some kicks?”
“What? Why her?” Tamsen asked.
“Well, she’s not going to out-jump many people,” the coach said.
Not even Tamsen’s complaining could ruin Sarimah’s excitement. She had been hoping for a chance to kick the ball. Sarimah trotted to the corner and gathered up six soccer balls from around the sidelines.
Her first kick was a little low, but one player got a foot to it. It skipped just past the post.
“I am too tense,” Sarimah said to herself.
She shook her legs out and placed another ball on the corner. This time, she let out a long breath. Her approach was better this time and she connected crisply. The ball rocketed off her foot and curled tightly toward the near post. Marty immediately scrambled.
“’Keeper’s ball! ’Keeper’s ball!” she screamed.
But Marty didn’t get to it. Giorgianna knifed in front of her and flicked it into the top corner of the net. Coach K jumped into the air and started shouting.
“Yeah! That ball was exactly where we want it,” he said. “Now try for the far post, Sarimah.”
Sarimah set another ball on the ground. She took two steps back and paused, thinking about where to send the ball. She let out another breath and started her run. She powered her right foot through the ball, sending it high into the air. This time, the ball floated over Marty’s head.
Waiting all alone at the back corner of the penalty area was Tamsen. She squared her shoulders to the ball and lunged. The ball sliced into the top corner of the net for another easy goal.
“Yes!” Coach K cheered. “I could watch that all day long. This is going to be just what we need in the tournament.”
Sarimah spent the next five minutes placing the ball into the goal area. She perfected her approach so well, she felt like she could place it wherever the coach asked her.
“Okay,” the coach said. “Now for some set pieces. Let’s set up free kicks from outside the eighteen-yard box.”
The players milled about. The defenders set up a wall. Sarimah gathered up some soccer balls. She followed the coach to a spot on the field about twenty yards from the goal. Tamsen and Kaelynn went there, too.
“You did good with the corners,” Tamsen said to Sarimah. “But we have set plays for this.”
“Tamsen, you looked pretty good in there with the headers,” Coach K said. “Why don’t you get back in there? And Kaelynn, if we have two players behind the ball, that’s one fewer to go for a header. Let’s let Sarimah try this.”
The two girls stared at their coach. Sarimah shifted on her feet. The coach started placing the soccer balls on the turf. He looked up and spotted Tamsen still standing there, watching him.
“Coach, Kaelynn and I always take the free kicks,” Tamsen said.
“Why is she getting all this special treatment?” Kaelynn added, looking at Sarimah. “Tamsen is our best player. She has been for a really long time.”
The coach placed the last ball on the turf and turned toward the three girls. “First, I’m the coach. It’s not for you to question my decisions,” he said, counting on his fingers. “Second, Tammy, you know your knee isn’t 100 per cent. Too many kicks will not help it. Third, Kaelynn, putting two people on the ball means we have one less to try for a header. Now, get going.”
“This isn’t fair,” Tamsen said. “She is on our team without trying out and getting picked. And she’s getting all the best chances.”
The coach shook his head and placed his hands on his hips. “Tamsen, Kaelynn, you’ve both been great for this team. But now isn’t the time for this. Get in there and score a goal. That’s what we will need this weekend. So, that’s what I need to see you practise now.”
Sarimah felt like she was spying on them, but she couldn’t leave. She didn’t want to leave, either. She was having too much fun. All she could think of was putting the best passes to her teammates.
Maybe that will make everyone happier, she thought.
15
Playoff Time
Parents from both teams lined the concourse above the field. Still more filled a small set of bleachers on the sideline. They whistled and cheered. They clapped and waved pompoms. It was noisy.
Coach K called the girls to the sideline. S
arimah couldn’t hear anything because of all the cheering. Her teammates formed a huddle. They swayed back and forth. Some tightened their laces, while others adjusted the elastics holding back their hair or pulled at their socks waiting for the coach to finish writing his notes on a clipboard. It was hard to breathe the hot, heavy air inside the Soccer Centre. Sarimah had never seen so many people inside the Soccer Centre before.
Coach K finally looked up at the team. “This is a short playoff series,” he said, raising his voice.
Sarimah had to lean in to hear him over the whistles and clapping.
“We play just three games. We can move on to the finals with two wins. Let’s show the other team we will set the pace. Never stop hustling!”
The girls clapped and each put a hand in the middle.
“Blizzard on three!” Izzy shouted. “One-two-three . . .”
The players shouted back: “Blizzard!”
Sarimah studied her teammates before the opening whistle. Tamsen had her eyes closed and Izzy was staring straight down. Giorgianna was jumping up and down, frowning and puffing out her cheeks.
Everyone looked serious. Then Sarimah glanced back at the other team. The Monarchs had gathered in small groups, while the referee talked to his assistants. The players were laughing and jumping around. Even when the referee finally blew the whistle to begin the game, they had big smiles on their faces.
Sarimah turned to Molly, who was sitting next to her on the bench. “Why do they look so happy?”
“Who? The parents?”
“No, the girls on the other team.”
“I don’t know. But you’re right. They look really happy.”
Soon, Sarimah felt that her teammates needed to relax, too. They started the game by running into their opponents, giving up silly fouls. They ran into each other, too. They were at odds with each other and trying to do too much.
After ten minutes, Tamsen finally found herself with space in the middle of the pitch. Instead of sending it wide to a winger, she tried to run with the ball. Two Monarchs converged on her and stripped her of the ball. They turned and headed in the other direction. The taller girl kicked the ball to the wing, where her teammate managed to gain valuable ground against the Blizzard.
“Keep her there!” Marty shouted from the goal. “No crosses!”
The warning didn’t work. The Monarchs wiggled their way through the Blizzard’s defence. The cross came at a good pace. Marty jumped from her line and tried to grab the ball from mid-air. But it was moving quickly and Marty couldn’t hang onto it. She fumbled the ball and it bounced dangerously in her penalty area. Three Monarchs crowded around, looking to get a shot on goal. The Blizzard defence was too slow.
Marty was too far out of position and had no chance. Any of the three Monarchs could have scored. It was the tall girl everyone called Raimy who blasted it into the far corner.
“Yeah!” she shouted.
Sarimah looked up into the crowd and waved to her parents. They were sitting with Izzy’s family. Her mom waved back with both hands and Sarimah laughed. At least they looked like they were having fun.
Sarimah noticed the Monarchs still looked happy, too. Then she looked at her teammates on the Blizzard. They still looked serious — almost angry. Tamsen tapped the ball ahead to Giorgianna. Then she took a big stride into the Monarchs’ side of the field. “Yeah, here! Now!” Tamsen shouted. Sarimah knew what her teammate was doing. She was trying to force the play.
“Come back! Regroup,” Sarimah said.
“Where’s Tamsen going?” asked Molly. “Why is she trying to do everything by herself?”
Giorgianna still had the ball. She hesitated.
Tamsen clearly wasn’t impressed. “Quick! Now!” she said, ordering Giorgianna to pass it to her.
Giorgianna finally sent the ball forward. Tamsen collected the pass with her back to the Monarch goal. Then she turned quickly, straight into two defenders who were clogging the middle of the field. Tamsen tried to cut hard to her right to get away from the defenders.
Instead of moving around the defenders, Tamsen suddenly crumpled in a heap. She screamed in pain, grabbing at her knee.
The Monarchs kicked the ball out of bounds so Tamsen could get some help. Coach K ran to the centre circle to check on the girl.
Sarimah walked forward. Tamsen was lying on the turf with Coach K and the referee on either side of her. Tamsen was holding her knee, her eyes closed tightly. Sarimah could see her chest going up and down as she cried.
Even the Monarchs’ coach came onto the field to help. The coaches and the ref spent a few minutes asking Tamsen questions, but she just cried and shook her head. Finally, the coaches helped her to her feet. She tried to take a step, and nearly fell again. They hoisted her up and carried her off the field. Everyone on both teams clapped and Tamsen’s parents met her at the sideline. Tamsen hugged her mother.
Izzy called the Blizzard into another huddle on the field. They watched as Tamsen’s father carried the girl to the dressing room.
“We’re one player down,” Izzy said. “Tammy is a great player, one of our best. But each of you can play great, too. Let’s show her how much she means to us, by winning this game! Tammy on three! One-two-three . . .”
The girls all shouted “Tammy!” and got back into position.
16
Soccer Should Be Fun
Sarimah decided she was not going to worry about Tamsen. She wasn’t going to worry about scoring goals or winning the game. All she knew was that she wasn’t having much fun. And that needed to change.
Sarimah charged back into her end to support Izzy. She thought that being next to her best friend might help her start enjoying the game.
As she arrived, the Monarchs tried to pass the ball through the centre of the field. Sarimah and Izzy shuffled close to each other and cut off the lane. The Monarchs had to turn back and start again.
This time, Lisa was able to pressure the ball along the Blizzard’s left wing. She caught one of the Monarchs, but her back was facing her teammates and she had no one to pass to. Lisa stood guard and waited for help.
Sarimah realized what was happening and raced over to help her teammate.
The Monarchs’ player tried to kick the ball back to her goalie, but Sarimah blocked it. The ball bounced off Sarimah’s foot and skidded into the Monarchs’ side.
Sarimah began to chase it, with one Monarch behind her and one waiting for her near the goal area. She took one touch of the ball to control it, and then kicked it softly into the centre of the field. The Monarchs looked around in shock. Why had she kicked the ball into empty space?
That’s when Lisa — who had been following the play — pounced on the loose ball like a cat. She took two dribbles and let a shot go that sailed right for the far goal post. Sarimah watched the ball go flying. Silently, she urged it into the net.
Lisa’s shot forced the Monarchs’ goalie into a stretching, diving save. She managed to stop the ball and fall on top of it. Lisa and Sarimah charged the net, looking for a rebound. But the goalie held onto the ball.
“Great pass, Sarimah,” Lisa said as they ran back into position. “How did you know I was going to be there?”
Sarimah just smiled and shrugged her shoulders. The Blizzard regrouped as the Monarchs’ goalie kicked the ball into play. Sarimah was huffing and puffing from the hard play, but she was smiling. She looked around at her teammates, hoping to see more smiling faces. Instead, Izzy, Lisa and most of the others scowled back at her. Marty was yelling instructions from the goal as the first half ended.
The Blizzard was trailing 1-0. But for the first time in the game, they had controlled much of the play.
“That’s better,” Coach K said as they rested on the sideline for half-time. “Keep the pressure up and the goals will come. Just don’t forget about Marty in our net.”
“We need to get some chances on goal,” Coach K said, in the huddle. “Molly, use your speed. Sarimah can put the pressure on. Izzy is there to back you up. Don’t forget about Kaelynn. You need to get the forwards more involved.”
The girls took their positions. Sarimah looked at her teammates. They all seemed even more nervous now that Tamsen was out of the game. Sarimah walked over to Molly and raised her hand high in the air. “Syrian high-five,” she said.
Molly slapped Sarimah’s hand for a high-five. Then Sarimah signalled to Izzy, and her friend came running up for slap-hands with her. The same went for Rosy, Lisa and Giorgianna. As Sarimah connected with each girl, their smiles got a little bigger. By the time she had traded high-fives with all the girls around her, the whole team was laughing.
The team clapped and shouted encouraging words.
Marty, in goal, let out a holler, “Whoo-hoo!”
The Blizzard parents chimed in, too, adding to the noise in the Soccer Centre. It was so loud, it was hard to hear the referee’s whistle to restart the game.
Rosy threw the ball back into play. She tossed it to the Monarch defender who had kicked it out of bounds so Tamsen could get help for her injury. The defender knocked the ball across the field. Giorgianna gave chase and Sarimah followed. The Monarch defender saw Sarimah lurking and cleared the ball down the field.
Izzy controlled the ball and the Blizzard sprang into action. Three girls cut hard toward Izzy, calling for a pass. She gave it to Lisa as Molly came in to support her.
That led to Sarimah finding space along the centre line. The ball went quickly to Kaelynn, Rosy and then Giorgianna. The Blizzard had gone from deep in their own end to the Monarchs’ side of the field in just a few seconds.
“Beautiful!” the coach yelled from the sideline.
Sarimah heard him and her smile got bigger. The girls were finally having fun on the field.
Snow Soccer Page 6