What am I supposed to Keep? The ball, my intimidation, or the cleats on my feet? All three. Being the keeper for the junior varsity soccer means keeping the soccer ball from getting in the net. I actually didn’t know a single thing about being keeper, until two months ago. I came here from New Jersey and did three years of basketball, not soccer. Basketball was my sport; it was something I did to keep me human. But when I came here I talked with my guidance counselor, and there was no space in the basketball program for a defender like me. No space? What? This broke my little heart. So, I told him I need to be in a sport. And he says soccer is available.

And I think “Well…uh I don’t know anything about soccer. But okay its better than nothing” So I just stayed as a defender for a couple months, then soccer season was about two weeks away.

Then the original JV goalkeeper got injured and out for the season. The next thing I know Coach Poelhs (the best coach ever) came up to me and said he wanted to make me goalie. Firstly, my brain was like “What? Me?” I mean yes, I am tall but how can I learn to be a goalie? Secondly, soccer balls are hard and scary. Thirdly, I thought Haha, Coach Poelhs is just joking around. Fourthly, I think I’m hyperventilating. Fifthly, there’s too many beats my heart is about to smash out of my chest, I am too nervous to even breathe. I actually stuttered for about five minutes.

And I didn’t exactly have a choice to say no, even if I did have a choice to say no, I don’t think I could sabotage the team like that. So I had to take the offer.

And now I know how to catch a ball, making a “W” with my hands on the ball. W for winner. I still get really nervous because I’m always watched on the field, wearing a different bright color and having big squishy gloves, and if I make a mistake it’s my fault. I’m responsible for everything in this game. It’s my job to smash my head into the floor, be prepared to jump in front of the ball even if it means getting kicked in the face, and slide and get muddy when it rains. But still when people in the stands start yelling, “Come on Keep!” “Let’s go Keep!” “Bring it back out there Keep” what do I do? I guess I need to intimidate the shooter. And catch the ball. But I still think I need to keep my chin up, keep the ball in my hands, my cleats on my feet, and definitely…Keep calm and goalie on.