Between the Sticks

Between the Sticks — page 7 — Griffin Lane Coach called Yeah I took a few steps toward him Get between the sticks he said referring to the goalposts Spencer left the gloves on the ground there Who me I asked You’ve got to be kidding I hadn’t played goalie since third grade and I’d promised myself I never would again I yielded seven goals in half a game back then Seven goals on seven shots Not a single save Of course I was a lot younger then that was four years ago I love playing defense it suits me just right I’m not fast enough for the front line and I get exercise-induced asthma from sprinting too much Plus there’s less pressure on D than there is in goal It’s just for a few seconds Coach said trotting onto the field again We’ll figure out a new strategy before the next one Don’t worry this game’s almost over 8

Between the Sticks — page 8 — Sure it was But these last few seconds were everything Ernie had the ball in the corner and his teammates were packed into our goal box Even their goalie had come all the way up the field for this final attempt They had nothing to lose this late in the game I pulled on the gloves I should have put on the goalie shirt too but we weren’t about to ask Spencer to try to take it off So I told the ref I was ready The sweat on my back turned cold Javon shook his fist at me No problem Griffin he said They won’t even get a shot Ernie lofted a high looping kick that seemed to hang in the air forever I stood tense arms spread ready to pounce in any direction One save I thought One save and we win Torry Marcus and players from both teams soared into the air hoping to head the ball away from our goal or into it Shoulders collided and players grunted The ball hit the ground 9

Between the Sticks — page 9 — Thwack Someone kicked it A line drive to my left rising quickly I lunged The ball skidded off my fingertips and hit the net with a whoosh The Cyclones yelled in triumph and fell into a massive purple heap Goal someone yelled Torry Javon and the others stared in disbelief I got to my knees 10

Between the Sticks — page 10 — Coach clapped his hands Great effort he called I turned and picked up the ball Terrible effort I knew Still time Stampeders Javon yelled But five seconds after Torry’s kickoff the ref blew his whistle 11

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