But there wasn’t time for chatting. We had to hustle. The game started up again, and the Bolts were getting aggressive and running us ragged with their speed. The Kicks were trailing by one goal when the second half of the game started. We had possession of the ball a lot but kept getting stuck in midfield and unable to make any progress toward the Bolts’ goal. Then, with just a few minutes left in the game, the Bolts stole the ball and kicked it out-of-bounds again.

I had another opportunity for a throw-in. Once again I assessed the situation. A long throw wouldn’t work this far up the field. My best bet was a short throw-in to Jessi, who could move it down the field toward Grace.

I tossed the ball high to Jessi, setting her up for a header. She leaped up to meet the ball, bouncing it off her head toward Grace, but a Bolts defender swooped in at the last moment and kicked the ball away from Grace.

“Darn it!” I muttered under my breath, frustrated. The Bolts were turning out to be every bit as good as their reputation.

As time on the clock was running down, I knew we had to tie it up to force a shoot-out; otherwise, we would lose.

After getting possession of the ball back, the Kicks managed to move the ball closer to the Bolts’ goal. I was trying to create space and keep my distance from those dangerous Bolts defenders when we got another throw-in chance. Taylor took this one and sent a long throw my way.

I felt the excitement rising. This was it! I could score and give us a chance at the win. I ran as fast as I could to outpace those speedy Bolts defenders while Taylor sent the ball flying in the air ahead of me. I had to dodge and weave without losing sight of the goal.

My foot connected and sent it flying into the goal, high above the goalie’s head. I had done it! I tied up the score and forced a shoot-out. The Kicks had a chance at beating the Bolts!

I raced away to share the joy with my team when I heard the referee’s whistle blowing repeatedly. “Offsides! Offsides!”

Who? Me? I thought. Ugh! I slapped my forehead with my palm. My heart sank as I realized what had happened.

While I was trying to run faster than the Bolts and get the ball that Taylor had thrown to me, I must have outrun the nearest Bolts defender, putting me closest to the goal before the ball hit the ground.

It’s all right, I thought. We’ll get the ball back. I’ll get another chance. . . .

Tweeeeeet! The ref’s whistle blew.

“Game over! The Bolts win!”

The stands erupted in cheers for the Bolts. I facepalmed.

“It’s okay. Great game.” Jessi came up to me, panting. “They were tough.”