Chapter 43

August 12, 2017

Dear Ms. Diary,

[Written August 14]

The state tournament is held at an amazing soccer complex just outside the capital. It has three main fields and a host of satellites for practice or large tournaments. Today’s games take place two at a time on the outside two fields. The middle field will be saved for the final two games tomorrow. Being in the bottom of the bracket, we played in the second set of first-round games. Obviously, if we win, we’ll play whichever team won from our side of the bracket in the earlier game, meaning that that team will have a longer rest than we will, though we’ll still get over three hours.

Coach was right. Perrytown was not any competition. By the 12-minute mark, we were up 3-0, with Rhee getting two and Rathi one. I got the assists for Rathi’s and one of Rhee’s, whose other goal was a one-woman thing of beauty. She stripped the ball from their center half, got up to speed in nothing flat, and blew by the defense as if they were standing still. The goalie tried to meet her at the penalty box line, but a simple double-feint had the goalie sprawling and the ball in the back of the net.

Rhee came out after that goal, Tonda replacing her. After Perrytown missed a shot wide, Tonda, Heather, Rathi, and I teamed up to take the ball through the Perrytown D, with Heather notching her first goal for the day; she came out next. By the 20-minute mark, all O starters except for me were on the sidelines. With Alex out, we could not replace the entire O. At the half, we had a comfortable 6-0 lead, with Tonda and Padme each notching goals.

Coach started the entire backup team in the second half, except that she put Heather at right wing and Mia at center forward, resting Tonda. Heather got two more goals and Padme, Mia, and Kanda got one each for a final of 11-0. During that half, we switched the O around a lot to get Heather a couple of breaks. I played the final dozen minutes at right wing, where I had an outside-right shot bounce off the right post. Dang!

“Settle!”

The locker room was not that noisy anyway, as we figured on winning handily and had another game to play.

“First off. Heather, how are you feeling.”

“Good, Coach.”

“You’ve got three hours or so until kickoff. Please take it easy. Rest.”

“Okay, Coach.”

“Attagirls go to the entire suite of backups who threw a shutout and dominated possession time, giving Perrytown very few chances to mount any serious offense. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Because of you, we got to rest virtually all the starters, which should serve us well later today.

“Attagirls go also to the starting offense, which got us off to a blazing start, ‘blazing’ in the form of Whatshername.”

There was much laughing.

“Attagirl to Beth for running the first-half offense that got us a six-goal lead at the half and almost notching a goal near the end. Though you didn’t get it, I’m happy you were willing to use your outside right.

“To all of you: as Heather has stressed, having credible outside-foot shots gives you more options for any given chance. For Beth’s shot, there were a number of players clogging her line to the far side of the goal, which, otherwise, I’m sure she’d have gone for. Her only good chance was the near side, but she had to curl it away from the goalie. Given that she probably did not have time to switch feet, her only option was outside right. She missed by just a couple of inches.

“Attagirl to Marli for two nice saves that preserved a shutout. Now, it’s time for the game ball. While Rhee’s goals-per-minute rating was the best of you SEVEN scorers, today, that prima donna lazed around for most of the game.”

There was much laughing.

“Normally, hat tricks are nearly a shoo-in for game ball, but I’m sorry, Heather it’s not yours this time.”

“No problem, Coach. I know who deserves it.”

Coach cocked her eyebrows at that but continued.

“For running the second-half offense so well and getting four assists, the game ball goes to Lissa Schmitt!”

There was much congratulating. I was happy for Lissa. She certainly deserved it.

Coach’s “Settle” wasn’t very loud, and everyone turned to her.

“For those of you that weren’t aware, after playing team members had to leave the Smithville-Sarnia game to start the process of getting ready for our own game, Civia ... and her father ... stayed to watch the whole game in order to give us a scouting report on our opposition in our next game. I have a few thoughts from the short time that I watched. I will add them if Civia doesn’t cover them. Civia, you have the floor.”

Civia took a step forward, a spiral-bound notebook in her hand. She opened it, looked it over for a few seconds, then began her report.

“While I have commentary that I can provide, Coach mainly wants my analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of Sarnia, our next opponent. I will provide that analysis but will leave commentary for later if requested.

“Sarnia won the game, 4-3, though had a 4-1 lead with 30 minutes to play. Hopefully, we don’t get behind in the score, but it seems like the Sarnia defense gets a bit ... careless with a lead. Smithville scored two goals in 15 minutes, both by spreading the field wide, then having a halfback or fullback punch up the middle unmarked for a pass and an open shot.

“Sarnia plays a 4-3-3, or, rather, played a 4-3-3 today. Their back line, except for the right back, are all tall and strong; the right back is of average height, and quick, but not that fast, and she’s the fastest of the four. The right-center back is quite talented but is a little slow. The two left backs are less talented, but faster, though not at all speed demons. The right back goes forward on offense frequently, and she is a good dribbler and has a good right foot with which she scored one of the goals; she didn’t show a left foot. Their back line is good at the offside trap, catching Smithville’s offense twice with it.

“Their midfield is very good. The wings are excellent on defense, the center less so, though she is a better ball handler. The center half plays a lot of offense, as can be expected in a 4-3-3. She did not take a shot.

“Their center forward plays more like our sweeper. She handles the ball very well, but, whether she doesn’t shoot well or whatever, she passed up a couple of shots that Rhee would have taken, and probably scored. Their wings are both very fast and shoot well. The two of them accounted for three goals. They are the primary offensive threat, and Sarnia’s offense seems designed around them. At least, the center forward and the center half both looked to pass to the wing frequently. The left wing may be a bit better than the right wing, but they’re both quite good.

“The offense seems geared to bring the ball up the middle and look first for a slashing wing. The center forward and center half are both more than competent at carrying the ball, but not exceptional. Though Sarnia did not score from long boots to streakers, those wings are obviously capable of that, possibly on the order of Heather’s speed and skills.

“That’s what I have.”

Coach looked around the team, then at Civia next to her.

“That was an excellent report, Civia. You covered the two main items that I noted: the design of their offense and their offense-minded right back. Before I put this to the old salts on the team, Civia, I would like to hear your thoughts, your ... commentary on Sarnia.”

“Yes, Coach. Watching the game, I noted three points that we may be able to exploit. As Coach noted at practice the other day, their relatively slow back line can be exploited on counterattacks. Oh, I’m sorry, I forgot one item. That right-center back plays very deep and in the middle of the field when they’re on offense. That could mean that quick lobs over most of their defense would work best when we have at least two players streaking within support range of each other.

“The second point is the possibility of us moving the ball upfield on the sides, which may allow Rathi or Ann to surprise their D. However since Smithville was so successful at that today, Sarnia may be trying right now to figure out how to close that hole.

“The third item also deals with Ann ... primarily. Ann probably has the skill set and defense capability to throttle their center forward, their playmaker. Because Sarnia brought the ball up the sides so few times, I cannot estimate what Sarnia’s offense would do if they could not bring the ball up the middle. However, I don’t expect them to like it.”

After a short silence during which Coach looked over the team, seemingly, particularly at Ann, Rathi, Rhee, and me, she turned to Civia.

“Again, Civia, thank you. You have been of inestimable help with that analysis and commentary. Before I say anything else, does anyone, taking Civia’s analysis of Sarnia at face value, disagree with her commentary?”

Coach looked around again, then said, “Civia might be wrong. Don’t be bashful if you disagree. I’d really rather hear it now than hear it after we got our butts spanked.”

Rathi spoke up.

“I don’t disagree, at least, not yet. However, Coach, it would be good to know, taking into account what you saw of Sarnia, whether or not there are points of Civia’s analysis that could have made her commentary off the mark.”

“That’s a good point, Rathi, and I thank you for bringing it up. I did not see enough of the game to confirm all of Civia’s analysis. However, those parts upon which I have some data seem to be accurate in Civia’s analysis. I did see enough to know that their offense is built around those wings. I did see enough to know that their right back is offense-minded and has at least some freedom of decision in that regard. I did not see enough to know that Sarnia only rarely brings the ball up on the wings, but I did not see them bring the ball up on the wings.

“I think that we can trust Civia’s analysis at least far enough to ponder why that is so. Are their wings’ ball-handling abilities suspect? Ditto for their wing midfielders? Rathi, now do you have thoughts on Civia’s commentary?”

“I do. Since we ... since at least some of us know that those wings are the numbers 1 and 2 scorers on the team and that they both placed in the top 5 scorers in their league and that their center forward is not among the scoring leaders, but did have the most assists in their league, I believe that we can accept Civia’s analysis and commentary about their offense as given.

“We have two good and getting-better-by-the-day wing fullbacks. We also have a powerful offense, one that has gotten by all season with less midfield support than most offenses get. I suggest that if Ann can throttle their center forward, and I’d be very surprised if she cannot, we give the wing midfielders secondary responsibility for those wings, as we did for Dowdell. With that, I suggest that we can then go all offense, all the time. Send the streakers. Counterattack, counterattack, counterattack.”

Rathi turned to me.

“Beth, what do you think?”

I looked at Rathi, over at Ann, then at Coach. While looking at Coach, I answered.

“Rathi, I think that that should be the plan. On Thursday, I suggested to Coach that we let you loose on offense. We’ve kept you mostly on D all year. If you go mostly O this evening, that’s got to be a big surprise to them. I also think that, with their relatively slow back line, we can probably afford, essentially, to pit our offense directly against theirs. Run the score up and see who’s standing at the end. If we win 10-7, that’s just as good as winning 2-1.”

Coach looked around the room, while I watched Coach. Coach’s assay of the room ended at Ann.

“Ann, your thoughts.”

“Although I’ve not seen any of this competition, I’m willing to pit Gracey and Zahira against almost any pair of wings; look how well they do against ours. I wouldn’t have said that at the beginning of the season, but I say that now. No matter how much better the offense has become, I think that those two are the most improved starters. If they can get some assistance from the wing midfielders, I have no qualms about releasing Rathi to the O. I suggest, however, that Emma should have primary responsibility for their offense-minded right fullback if and when she comes forward. If that fullback stays home, then any help she can give Zahira would be welcomed. I know that that assumes our midfield will dominate their midfield, but until I see a team that our midfield does not dominate, then I’m comfortable with that assumption. Civia’s analysis didn’t give me any pause in that regard, at least.”

“So, Rathi, Beth, Ann. You all think, excuse the paraphrasing, that we should ‘let slip the dogs of offense?’”

I smiled at her allusion. Coach looked directly at Rathi.

“I do.”

At Ann.

“Yes, Coach.”

At me.

“All-out O.”

“Okay, that’s what we’ll do. Kanda, Dakota. You will probably be getting game time, perhaps a lot of it. Emma and Zala are going to be busy, and you will be giving them breathers. After the past few weeks, I find that I have great faith in you. Don’t let me down.

“Haven, I want you at my side. While I’m watching the whole game, I want you to concentrate on the midfield. Particularly on our midfield, but I would appreciate your thoughts on theirs, too. You’ll get in the game, too, but Kanda and Dakota will probably get more game time.”

“Okay, Coach. They certainly deserve it. As Ann said about Gracey and Zahira, I say about those two. In fact, I’d say that they’re the most improved duo on the whole team. That takes into account that none of us really knew Heather’s skill set when she joined us. We just assumed that she was a true backup, not a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

Haven grinned at Heather, who returned it.

“I agree with you, Haven,” Coach said. “As for the offense, we’ll go with the plan that Beth devised on Thursday. Tonda, you’ll start at left wing. I want you and Heather to run. Rhee, I want you to play a false 9. Do you understand?” When Rhee nodded, Coach said, “Hold back a bit, act as an outlet for either or both of your running mates You may see a lot of shot opportunities, if their whole back line collapses onto those two in a kneejerk response to their speed. You get me?”

“Got it, Coach. Let the two wings occupy the back line’s attention, then I deal only with a center half. Maybe. I like what I see.”

“Beth, Rathi. Work together. Keep the ball on offense. Remember when we played a two-sweeper set? You two should be like that, though Rathi, the offense is still only your second focus. We still need to control the midfield.

“Backup offense and fullbacks. Depending on how the game goes, you could get quite a bit of game time or very little. Please be prepared for either. Watch the game. Figure out what Sarnia is doing. If you see something, don’t be afraid to tell me about it.

“Girls, we are going to live or die on the strength of the offense. As Beth said, we can give up seven goals, as long as our offense can score at least eight. Midfield and defense, if you find yourself in possession of the ball, look upfield. We’re going to speed-demon Sarnia to death. And when the speed demons cannot get the job done, they’ll pass it back to Rhee, to Beth, to Rathi, and then we go on more methodical offense. Over the course of this season, we have learned that we can score and win with either type. I’m very proud of all of you and confident in your ability to outplay even teams in the state tournament.”

Coach looked around, then said, “You’ve got three hours to hang with your friends or family or both. However, I’m told there’s a lunch spread for all of us. Liya is here to lead us to it. Be back here, in this locker room, by 3:30 pm. Do not be late.”

After lunch, the team split into families and sets of families. The Paleceks and Ann’s and Mia’s families joined our big family. Looking around, it dawned on me that the only males here were fathers. Mia has an older brother, but he obviously didn’t make the trip. The other odd thing about this gathering was that Mia was the only one of us other than Heather that has siblings. Her little sister made the trip, and Civia spent some time with her, even though Taylor is only nine. However, Taylor is a precocious, soccer-nut nine-year-old.

“Yeah,” Mia said, “she’s gonna be much better than me. She’ll probably be on this team with Civia in a couple of years. If Taylor keeps improving, I’m going to insist that she move up to this team when she’s 11. I’ve talked to Civia a bit and the stories she tells of her team this year are ... They’re ... they’re horrible. And you know Civia. If she says that, had she tried, she could have scored at least five goals a game, you know that it was probably way worse than that; she does not brag.”

I shook my head. Somehow, others on the team had become aware of the possibility of 11-year-olds playing on a 12-15-year-old team.

“Civia said that the only time that she really enjoyed the season was in a game in which the other team’s center back was really good. She didn’t say, but her story implied that she still managed multiple goals. She introduced herself to the girl and, apparently, the two of them commiserated with each other about the lack of ... focus, drive in most of the other girls on both teams. Beth, you might put a bug in Coach’s ear about that center back.”

I nodded at her.

“That very thing was beginning to cross my mind. She didn’t say which team, did she?”

“No, but she probably remembers, since that game was the only real light of her season.”

“Thanks, Mia. I’ll ask her.”

When I looked up from talking with Mia, I was surprised to see someone I knew that was not on or associated with the team.

“Hey, Charlize. You never emailed me.”

She walked up and hugged me, a hug that I returned.

“Yeah, I got busy and then Mom decided that she’d like to come so we’re here. You guys kicked some ass this morning.”

“Thanks. Perrytown didn’t really deserve to be here. Cortez should have been here. Hell, you guys, even Paradise, would have had little trouble with them. You, specifically, Charlize, would probably have run rings around their D.”

“Yeah. I got to thinking about that while watching the game. It would be nice if more than one team could come here from each quadrant. While we might have gotten a poor draw, say Centerville, there were a couple of teams here that we could have beaten. You guys, though. You guys look fricking great, and that was with your second string in for most of the game. I figure you know this, but that second-string midfield of yours ... They could start for most other teams. Hell, don’t pass this on, but they’re better than my midfield.”

“Don’t worry, Charlize, I won’t. And, yes, we know that. I’m not sure what we’re going to do next year, because there’s not much of a gap between Haven’s midfield and Rathi’s midfield, except for Rathi.”

‘Yeah, she’s really good. Of course, you guys are gonna be beating up on everyone so much next year, that it might not matter whom you play in any individual game or half or whatever. Your Coach Virtanen is going to have to figure out how to keep everyone happy, with starters not playing entire games and no one being able to run up personal stats totals.”

“I’ve been worrying about just that. Fortunately, the team gets along well with each other, and the starters, though resigned to not playing entire games, have been good about supporting their backups. In fact, I’ve never seen so little dissension in a team. Of course, winning tends to keep dissension down.”

“Yeah, that was not true at GV. We mostly won, but ... I think that was the main reason that our midfield never really gelled, like yours ... hell, as both of yours did.”

“We noticed that. That’s one of the reasons that I told you what I told you after our last game. You need better support. Rhee ... and Heather could not have done all that they did without our midfield dominating virtually every game. While I’m sure that Haven’s line would be happy being your starting midfield, I don’t think that all three families are going to be moving to GV.”

“Hah! Yeah, that seems like a low-probability possibility. But, between you and me, I’d be happy to trade even up. Hell, I’d be happy to trade for your backup midfield and we’d throw in one or two more. It was so frustrating that we had this good offense and good defense, but ... Hopefully, we’ll do better next year. The source of much of the dissension is graduating, so...”

“I hope, for you, Charlize, that it’s better next year. You definitely deserve better.”

“Thanks. We’ll see.”

“Hey, let me introduce you to Rhee’s heir apparent.”

“Is that the young girl with the odd name?”

I nodded and waved at her to follow me.

“Charlize Sanderson, may I introduce Civia Palecek? Civia, this is Charlize Sanderson.”

Civia stepped all over Charlize’s response.

“Oh! Wow! It’s so great to meet you. You’re one of the few girls that I’ve followed outside of those on the Elkton team. You’re so good! You just need ... I’ll shut up, now.”

Charlize chuckled, then replied, “Civia, it’s nice to meet you. The word about you has trickled out of Elkton ... all the way to Grass Valley, actually.”

That threw Civia for a loop. Her head and shoulders flinched backward in surprise and her eyes widened.

“About m-me?”

“Yes, about you. You’re apparently some up-and-coming talent. How’d you like to move to Grass Valley? I’d certainly appreciate it if you did. I would also appreciate hearing what you think I need.”

“Oh, I couldn’t. I’m only a little girl. My opinions...”

Civia had the good grace to blush, considering that the whole team had accepted her opinions about Sarnia.

“First, you’re only an inch shorter than I am, and, second, I’m actually interested in your opinion. I’ve already heard Beth’s, and I agree with it. I’d like to see if yours matches.”

Civia looked at me; I nodded. She turned back to Charlize.

“Well, although I didn’t recognize you today, I saw the game you played in Elkton. Other than Beth, you need a better midfield, one that can keep the ball in the other side’s half. Your defense seems solid. At least, they didn’t give up many goals. You could use a better left wing, but your and Grass Valley’s primary need is a good midfield.”

Charlize smiled, and said, “You agree with Beth and I agree with both of you, but please don’t let that out anywhere. I already don’t get along well enough with our midfielders without them hearing third-hand about me dissing them.”

“Oh. I wouldn’t think about it. Umm ... thanks for trusting me.”

“No problem. It was obvious that Beth trusted you, and I’m willing to trust solely on her say-so. We were pretty good friends when we were on the same team, though not as good as she and Rhee were ... or are.”

“You were on the same team? It must have been in Elkton, as I know that Beth has never played anywhere else.”

“Yup. Beth and Rhee and me. I started a year before those two did, but we were on the same 8-11 team until my family moved when I was 11.”

“Wow. I’d say that that must have been a good team, but my own experience with 8-11 teams suggests that ... Well, skill doesn’t seem to be that much of a priority then. At least, not on the teams that I’ve been on.”

“Actually, that team wasn’t too bad. We three were the most dedicated, but none of us was anything like Civia Palecek. I hear that she’s a real phenom.”

Civia colored dramatically. She seemed about to object, but I looked at her with my head canted slightly downward and my eyebrows raised. She swallowed.

“Thank you, Charlize. I appreciate that from someone of your skills. I understand that there are certain pre ... prerick...”

I helped her out; “Prerequisites.”

“Yes, pre ... re ... quisites. I understand that there are certain prerequisite physical capabilities, but the rest takes just focus and dedication.”

“Ah,” Charlize said, “there’s the difference. I’m sure you know, but a lot of kids don’t have or cannot marshal the requisite focus and dedication.”

“Yes, but I ... I have problems understanding that. My parents have told me that many times, as have Beth and Coach. That is, Coach Virtanen.”

“Yeah, while I understand, it’s not something that I can really internalize. Does that make sense, Civia?”

With her head nodding rapidly, she responded, “Yes! That’s exactly it. I guess we’re all built differently.”

“Are you going to be in the stands for Elkton’s game with Sarnia? Perhaps we could sit together.”

“Oh. Umm ... oh.”

Civia looked nervously at me.

“It’s okay, you can tell her. Don’t tell anyone else, though.”

Charlize looked questioningly at me, then turned back to Civia.

“Well, I ... I’m going to be watching the other game, to scout Centerville.”

Charlize’s eyebrows flew up into her bangs, then she squinted her eyes and looked at me.

“Let me guess. Civia scouted Sarnia for you.”

“Yup,” I nodded. “Coach accepted her report at face value, even what Civia called her commentary. Our strategy for the game is built largely on Civia’s scouting report.”

I considered explaining more, but thought that I’d test Charlize’s ... resiliency, I suppose.

Charlize looked at me for a bit, then at Civia.

“That seems like it might be fun. Would you mind if I joined you? I could help you in your job.”

Civia looked hard at Charlize, then up at me, then back at Charlize.

“I’m sorry if ... this question is ... impertinent but why would you want to do that?”

“That’s fine, I don’t mind. I have two reasons, one more selfish than the other. Centerville is a well-known powerhouse in girls’ soccer in the state. They’re the reigning champs and they’ve been the state champs five of the past ten years. I’ve never seen them play, so that would be interesting enough. However, I have an interest in Elkton ... your team ... winning the tournament.”

“Why?”

“If you win, then I can say that the only reason we lost the league championship is that we had to play the eventual state champs. Of course, we lost to them!”

Civia produced a merry grin at that and a nodding head.

“I can see that. If you don’t mind my parents being there, too, I’d...” [she got a bit bashful] “like it if you helped me. I think I could do a better job with your help.” Civia looked up at me and asked, “Would Coach mind Charlize helping?”

I shook my head and said, “I doubt it, but I’ll ask her.”

Since I had her here, I fulfilled my other task.

“Civia, Mia was telling me that your season was worse this year than I had figured.”

“Yeah, it was bad. There was no one else on the team that wanted to be good. They were all just having fun.” She paused. “I understand that ... people like to have fun, but ... I don’t know. Why don’t they want to be as good as they could be? Why don’t they think becoming good is fun? I know. We’ve already covered that.”

“I brought the subject up with you because Mia said that there was a center back on one team that you liked, or thought was good. Yes?”

“Uh-huh. Tanika ... something. She was really good. She stopped me cold a couple of times early, so I had to pull out my best game to beat her. I talked to her during an injury timeout. She was nice. I’m sorry, I don’t remember which team. We played them early in the season and the next time we played that team, she wasn’t playing, wasn’t even on the sidelines. I looked for her, but I didn’t ask. Why do you ask?”

“Do you think she was your age? I ask because if she was, perhaps she’d be interested in the team.”

“Oh. Ohhh. I’ll bet she would. She should know about the team, shouldn’t she?”

“Maybe. Why don’t you tell Coach about Tanika? I’m sure that she has ways to find her. We will have a fullback slot to fill next year, and I’m sure that Coach would be interested in a good 12-year-old to fill it.”

“You mean ... like developing her for the future of the team ... like Kanda and Dakota and ... me.”

I nodded at her.

Smiling, she said, “I’ll do that. I liked her.”

I said my goodbyes to Charlize and Civia, told Rhee that I’d be talking with Coach in the locker room, then headed there. I buttonholed her about Charlize. As I expected, she didn’t have a problem with that, even guessing Charlize’s reason for wanting to do the job, then I joined the team in getting dressed in a clean soccer kit.

“Settle,” Coach said loudly precisely at 3:30. “Before we do anything else, Lana has an announcement. Lana?”

Svetlana Porchenko stepped over to Coach, then turned to face us.

“My father was offered a tenure-track position at the University of California-Davis. Obviously, he couldn’t turn that down, so we’re moving. Dad’s already there. Mom stayed so I could play in the tournaments. She and I will be leaving next week.”