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Mark Up

George O. Love

Excerpt from "Mark Up"

“Look, second half, mark that striker.  Be patient on defense.  All forwards, no matter how good they are make mistakes when they get pressured.  Slow her down, make recovery runs.  If we can’t score this half, let’s keep them from scoring.  Give Katrina a break back there.”

            It was a good half time talk.  Katrina could tell it had been wasted on the defenders.  They put up a good front to appear to be listening, but the opening play of the second half revealed the truth. 

            Once again, the opposing striker dribbled past the last defender who merely made a show at poking for the ball.  Katrina was one on one with her again, but she was able to stop the shot.  As the striker back pedaled away from Katrina, she blew her a kiss and turned to run back up the field to await Katrina’s punt.

            That was all she could take.  Enough frustration with this team had pushed Katrina to the boiling point.  She knew the consequences, but anything was better than being a sitting duck for the rest of this game.. 

            She threw the ball squarely at the back of the striker’s head who took great offense to this action and made a run at Katrina.  The referee and assistant referee quickly separated the two girls.  The ref reached for his back pocket and flashed the red card at Katrina.  She knew it was coming and was already removing her gloves and jersey. 

This story follows Katrina and her family as they cope with a new town and new schools.  Katrina has to cope with a team which has been betrayed and try to help rebuild it and help a few girls rebuild shattered lives along the way.  Great soccer action provides the background for this fictional portrayal of youth soccer and teen relationships.