Hailey’s Big Game
“Do I really have to go, Mom?” I
moaned from my bed. “Yes, Hailey!” my mom replied. Disappointed, I got out of
bed and put on my hot pink and navy blue field hockey uniform. Even though I
love to play field hockey, I’m just a little bit nervous to go today because
it’s my championship game. Also, no matter how hard I try I can never make a
goal.
I brushed my hair and teeth then ran
downstairs where my parents were waiting for me with delicious pancakes and
scrumptious scrambled eggs. My 17 year old sister Bianca and my 8 year old twin
brothers Maxwell and John were all going to watch me play today. At 7:45 a.m.
all of my siblings and my parents got into our grasshopper green Mini Van and
drove to the game field. I was trembling. I couldn’t even speak. What if I
scored for the other team? What if I embarrassed myself in front of everyone?
After 30 minutes we were at the field. Most of
Team Dolphin (my team) was already there. My family jumped out of the car and
onto the bleachers. I ran to meet my coach and teammates. As soon as every girl
arrived we did some passing and scoring drills. We also talked about our game
plan.
“Chirp!” screeched the referee’s whistle. That
was a sign that the game was starting. Surprisingly, I was smiling when I ran
to my position on offence. The face-off had just ended and my team had the
ball! I might actually have a chance to score. My teammate Amber passed the
ball to me and I ran down the field. I thought that nothing could stop me, but just
then someone from the other team stole the ball from me. Even though I was
disappointed I had to keep trying because this was the last game until next year.
In the next few minutes the score was 7 to 5. We were losing by 2.
After we took our water break it was time for
the second quarter. In the first 10 minutes both teams were tied 9 to 9. Right
away I got the ball. I felt even more confident this time that I could make a
goal. Sadly, when I was about to shoot the other team got the ball and scored.
In my head I was trying to come up with a plan. Suddenly, I got the most
brilliant idea. My team made 5 more goals. The score was 9 to 14.
The whistle blew again and the third
quarter was starting. I immediately got the ball and jogged down the field with
it. I was only a few feet from the goal. I could make this shot. The ball was
on its way to the goal, but then it took a right turn and went right by it. I
was absolutely crushed. I really thought that the ball would go in this time. I
just had to aim a little bit better than I would score! Luckily, my other
teammates got some goals. The other team scored a few times too. Now the score
was 16 to 16. Since my only plan had failed I was out of ideas. It was almost
the fourth quarter and I still hadn’t gotten one goal. I knew that I couldn’t
give up now. My whole team was counting on me.
“Screech!” The whistle blew for the final
time. The fourth quarter was about to begin. After the face off the other team
ended up with the ball. They were trying so hard to score. Our defense was
doing great. They didn’t let a single ball pass them! The ball got passed to
me. The score was 19 to 19. The next goal would determine the winner! (But I
didn’t know that). Now was my chance to score. The other team was all the way
at the other side of the field. No one was in my way. I ran right up to the
goal and hit the ball with just the right amount of force. Now the ball was out
of my hands.
“Yes!” I screamed in excitement. The
ball went in! My very first field hockey goal. I was so proud of myself and so
was my family. But what I didn’t realize was that my goal was the tie breaking
goal! My team won the championship title. Amber high-fived me then we got lots
of water to drink. I got so many hugs from my family and team. I was so happy
with myself. I learned that if you set your mind to something and work really
hard at it, you will achieve your goal.
