Lucky Soccer Save by Jake Maddox

Author:Jake Maddox [Maddox, Jake]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ages 9-12; books about soccer; character education; fiction books about sports; Jake Maddox; kid sports; perseverance; responsibility; sports fiction; sports stories
Publisher: Capstone
Published: 2020-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 7

THE STARTING GOALIE IS…

The next day, Coach Anderson blew the whistle at the end of practice. “Take a knee, boys,” he said. “I’m going to announce the starting lineup.”

Luis’s heart raced. Practice had been easy, with light passing and shooting drills, followed by a scrimmage. During the scrimmage, Luis and Tony had each allowed one goal, and the match ended in a tie.

Luis felt like he had made more difficult saves, though, including one where he had spilled the rebound and needed to scramble to cover the ball from Scott’s swinging feet. The only goal Luis had allowed came off a corner kick that somebody head-butted past him. There wasn’t much he could’ve done about that one.

On the other end of the field, Tony had let a blast from Kevin sail over his head. Other than that, though, Tony’s defensemen had kept the shots to a minimum, and Tony had an easy game.

Coach announced that Kevin and Scott would be starting strikers. The starting midfielders included Wayne and Brendan, and Joe would be one of the starting defensemen. Luis felt a sense of security knowing his bandmate would be with him on defense.

That was, if Coach named Luis the starting goalie.

“And finally,” Coach Anderson began, “the starting goaltender for this year’s River Valley JV Eagles will be—”

Luis held his breath. Papá would be overjoyed if Luis were named starting goalie, but if that happened, so much pressure would be riding on his shoulders. Luis just wasn’t sure if that was what he wanted.

“—Tony Smith!”

Coach’s words hit Luis like a soccer ball to the stomach. A small cheer went up for Tony.

“You were a solid goalie for us last year, Tony,” Coach said, “and I know you’ll be even better this year. That’s all for today, boys. Be sure to arrive an hour early for warm-ups before Saturday’s big game. Rest up tonight and see you then!”

The players headed to the parking lot. Joe put his arm around Luis’s shoulder. “It’s okay, Lucky. Tony is a year older, and Coach is just getting him ready for varsity. Anyway, I still think you’re a better goalie.”

“Thanks, Joe.”

Kevin caught up with them. “Don’t sweat it, Lucky,” he said. “You’re our secret weapon. Coach will know exactly when to put you in.”

Luis nodded and tried to keep his head up. He tried to find his zone. He knew he would eventually, but for now, as he biked home from the field, he just felt sad.

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