Then she raced to the goal- a breakaway! — only the keeper standing between her and a last-second victory for the Tornadoes and glory for Gracie Ann Brice, the next Mia Hamm. The referee put his whistle in his mouth and checked the time; only seconds remained in the game. Gracie moved into position for her patented power kick-the keeper ran out to meet her this time, leaving the goal unprotected-aimed just inside the near post, planted her left foot, timed her kick perfectly, and — slotted a through ball to Brenda in the goal box behind the keeper instead. Brenda kicked the ball into the open goal just before the cute referee blew his whistle to end the game.
The Tornadoes’ stands erupted in cheers!
The Raiders’ keeper was now looking at Gracie with a stunned expression on her face, as if to say, You passed off the game-winning goal? Gracie shrugged. She figured Brenda needed the glory more than she did. Heck, Mia Hamm was a team player.
The other girls mobbed Brenda. Gracie was about to join in when she heard a manly voice: “Number nine-you’re a player!”
The studly referee was walking past and pointing to her-and winking at her. Oh, my God, I’m so sorry, Orlando, but I’m like, totally in love! She stopped dead in her tracks and stared open-mouthed at the referee as he walked off the field; he was dreamy and she was dreaming of him coming to the house after the game on a Friday night like tonight and picking her up to go to a movie-of course, it would have to be rated PG because she was only ten, which might prove a bit of a problem but… she was rudely bumped back to reality by Coach Wally barreling past.