Chapter 3
The score was now even at one, with only about five minutes left. Samantha stood in her net. She could feel her palms beginning to sweat inside her goalie gloves. The FunTown Falcons had underestimated their foes and she hoped that her LazyTown Leopards could finish the game before forcing overtime.
Right now Samantha could see her teammate Sarah had the ball. Sarah was the third of four midfielders and she had the strongest leg on the team. If given the chance the midfielder could score from the center of the field.
Sarah passed the ball to Lindsay who passed it to the forward, Caitlin. Caitlin made her way up field and kicked it toward the Falcons' net. The goalkeeper made a great save but couldn't control the rebound. Sarah was there and she blasted the ball home.
A cry went up from the stands. People were jumping up and down. With only three minutes remaining the score was now two to one in favor of the Leopards. The ball was placed at midfield and the Falcons started their charge toward LazyTown's net.
Samantha's defense kept the charging players at bay and managed to get the ball to their midfielders. However, someone misdirected the pass and the ball came flying back toward Samantha. The girl snared the ball and hung on. Quickly, she took three steps and punted the ball down the field.
"One minute!" Sportacus shouted. The Falcons' forwards managed to steal the ball from the Leopards and ran down the field. This was their last minute attempt to tie the game. The opposing players easily made their way around the defense and took aim at Samantha.
Everything seemed to be happening in slow motion as the forward broke away from the other players. Samantha knew she was all alone and that she had to make the stop. She charged out at the player. The forward seemed to be losing control of the ball and she slid to try to get the ball around Samanatha. It didn't work. Samanatha snared the ball just as the opposing player's cleats made contact with the top of her head.
"Did I stop the ball?" She asked to the people who had gathered around her. It seemed like a stupid question considering she was lying on top of it. Carefully, Sportacus peeled her arms off it and rolled her over.
"Can you tell me your name?" He asked.
"I'm Samantha." She answered.
"How old are you?" The above average hero asked another question.
"10." Samantha said. "My head hurts."
"I know. Here let me help you." Sportacus smiled. Carefully he lifted the girl up in his arms. The crowd clapped; happy to see that she was up.
"Is there something wrong with my legs?" Samantha asked.
"No. I just think its best you don't try to move too much until the doctor can have a look at you." The above average hero told her.
"Ok." She said. Sportacus set her down on the bench and immediately Doctor Better checked her out. Amanda and Robbie came down from the stands and listened to the doctor while the game restarted.
"Well no concussion. I imagine she'll just have a nasty headache. Give her some Tylenol when you get her home." Doctor Better smiled.
"Thank you." Robbie said shaking the doctor's hand.
"No problem. If the headaches don't subside by tomorrow call me." Doctor Better said. Amanda was about to say something when the final whistle blew. The game was over and the LazyTown Leopards had beaten the reigning champs.
The crowd cheered, the players jumped up and down. Then the teams lined up to shake hands. Everyone congratulated each other. The girl that conked Samantha on the head came over to apologize.
"Sorry about that. Hope you're going to be ok." She said.
"I'll be fine. Thanks." Samantha smiled. The other girl smiled as well and then walked away. Sportacus brought the trophy over to the winning team.
"It's my pleasure to announce the 2022 champions of the Annual Summer Soccer Challenge is the LazyTown Leopards!"
Everyone was excited and looking at the trophy. However, the victory seemed hollow to Samantha. Of course she could share it with her parents and teammates but something just didn't seem right without Joshua.
To Be Continued…
