Soccer, in sync

The wide green blades of the St. Augustine grass reflect against the pale blue sky. The sun and heat dehydrate me, leaving me sunburned and parched. Parents are cheering for their children, hoping their child wins the soccer game.

“C’mon, girls, this is it.” I look around at the girls I call my teammates. I have only known them for a year, but it feels like much longer. We play in a rhythm, working in sync with each other. Everyone is tense because we know what this game means: first place in our division. The heat drains our energy, and no one dares to slow down. When our final goal is scored, the crowd erupts into a chorus of cheers. There is no one in the crowd circling around us without a smile on their face.

I started playing soccer in first grade because I saw how much fun my brothers had playing on a team. My brothers would always challenge and motivate me to try my best. They took me outside and showed me the new skills and tricks they had learned. Some of the moves they learned playing FIFA on the Xbox. Many times, it led to a small family scrimmage with my parents and brothers, and, trust me, it wasn’t easy.

These memories and events sparked an interest in a sport that is now an important aspect of my life. I now spend over 15 hours a week at practice and games, but to me it is only a small amount dedicated to a sport I love. Each week I step onto the grass field and tell myself, “Let’s do this!” Over time, I have come to realize that soccer is much more than passing, dribbling and shooting. Soccer is a team sport, and the team must work together to achieve a common goal – to win. We practice as a team, play as a team, and function as a team. Although I have acquired many bumps and bruises, I have never regretted my decision to play soccer.

Want to be a Buzz Kid? Email approximately 350 words, a high-resolution photo and caption to [email protected]. Or mail it to The Buzz Magazines, 5001 Bissonnet, Suite 100, Bellaire, Texas 77401.