Head to Head

Emika tried not to think about missing so many corner kicks in a row. Or that Maram seemed to be trying to take her place. She stood by the post and focused on getting ready to score.

The rain started to fall even harder. Maram raised her arm. Some of the players jostled against each other. Others cut and turned into different spots, trying to lose their checks.

Maram belted the ball with a thwack! It soared high, then curved sharply toward the goal.

Emika braced herself. The ball started to drop. Emika shuffled two quick steps to the right. She leaped off one leg and clenched her fists. As the wet ball hit her forehead, she jerked her neck just enough to direct it into the net.

“Beautiful header, Emika!” Kelly said.

“That’s what I’m talking about!” Rosa pointed at Emika. “That’s using failure as your fuel!”

Rosa called over to Maram. “You sure have been practising. What a corner! My dad calls that a banana kick. Curves in the air like a banana.”

Coach Garcia looked at Maram, then at Emika. “You two work well together,” she said. She flashed a strange smile at Rosa.

Emika groaned under her breath. She wished it had been anyone but Maram at the other end of the play.