Double Fake by Rich Wallace

Calvin’s leg, but Zero was in the right place and shot the bouncing ball toward the corner of the goal.
    The Grotto goaltender dove hard, extending his hand and knocking the ball to the side. It cleared the goal but bounced off a defensive player’s leg and over the end line.
    “Corner kick!” called the official, and Orlando ran over to the corner flag to put the ball in play.
    About three minutes remained in the game. Orlando’s chip was high and soft. Calvin braced his forearm against an opponent’s back, tensed and ready to leap for the ball, hoping to head it into the goal. But in the scramble for the ball he was shoved backward, and the goaltender safely caught the pass, ending the threat.
    “No foul?” Calvin shouted. But the ball was already in play, so he raced back up the field.
    The Grotto players were determined to preserve the one-goal margin, forgetting about offense and repeatedly clearing the ball with long, solid kicks.
    “We have to pick them apart!” Calvin said urgently. “Control the ball. Short passes. Let’s go!”
    Peter Leung had come up from the sweeper position, giving an additional man to the Little Italy offense but leaving Julie unprotected back in goal. Only a minute was left as Peter came charging up the field one more time, chasing the ball as he ran.
    Calvin knew that Peter’s ball-control skills were barely adequate, so he ran over and shouted for the ball. Peter obliged. Calvin stopped the ball and looked up the field. Both teams were spread out before him. This might be the last run of the game.
    “Support!” hollered Zero as Calvin was met near the center circle by a couple of opponents. Calvin passed back to Zero, then moved to an open space so Zero could return the ball.
    Orlando was open, so Zero passed it there and ran. Orlando had room and he dribbled along the sideline. Calvin stayed level with him, with Zero trailing behind.
    The pass went back to Zero, who found Angel darting across the top of the goal box. Angel pivoted and shot, a high line drive that the goalie leaped for, punching the ball over the top of the goal and out of bounds.
    Another corner kick. The players bunched up in front of the goal, shoving for position. Calvin ran into the mix, then swerved around Zero and sprinted toward Orlando at the corner of the field.
    Orlando saw him coming and changed tactics, making the short, easy pass instead of chipping it into the air in front of the goal. Two defenders charged toward Calvin, but he deftly dribbled around them and reached the goal box.
    “Here!” came Mary’s yell, and Calvin scooted the ball ten yards across the field, where his wide-open teammate fielded it and kicked it into the net. They’d tied it up!
    Calvin, elated, ran toward Mary, grabbing her under the arms and lifting her into the air. Zero, Orlando, and Angel joined the embrace, shouting and raising their fists.
    The official blew his whistle before the Grotto could put the ball in play. Game over. Little Italy was still in first place.
    Calvin reached the sideline and yanked his T-shirt over his head, falling to the ground and lying on his back, his arms and legs spread wide. He was panting and sweating hard, but he’d never felt better. His teammates were re-energized, slapping hands and grinning in the wake of their spectacular comeback.
    Suddenly Calvin felt a stream of cool liquid on his forehead and he opened his eyes and sat up. Danielle Rosado was standing there, holding a bottle of water and laughing. “Looked like you needed some cooling off,” she said.
    “At least I’m not sizzling this time,” Calvin said with a smile.
    “We brought you guys something.”
    “Oh yeah?” Calvin got to his feet. Jessie was there, too, holding a paper plate covered with foil.
    “Made some cookies for you and Zero,” Jessie said.
    “How come?”
    Jessie shrugged. “You know.... A thanks for the carnival. ”
    “Yeah.” Calvin took the plate and peeked under the foil.