Katelyn Carter defends the net for Coach Noah Kooiman’s Arsenal FC GU12 team, which recently won the Cal South National
Cup. Carter and her staunch defense allowed a mere four goals in the tournament. In this featured column, Carter gives her
scoop on the title match and what it felt like to be crowned a National Cup champion.

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It was so cold in Lancaster the day of the finals that there was ice on the field and we were delayed warming up for 30 minutes. We had already played in some strong winds, sideways rain and hail in the tournament while playing some really good teams. So a little ice was really no big deal. Now, finally, we were in the finals against the Slammers and there was no doubt it was going to be a battle. The biggest tournament of the year and all we had been working toward had come down to that exact moment.

Our coach Noah Kooiman told us to picture ourselves holding the big trophy in our hands after the game. We huddled together for our opening game cheer. No one said a word, but the look in my teammates’ eyes said it all. We were ready to win!

The whistle blew and we immediately went into action. It seemed like our midfielders and forwards were winning every ball, playing out of their minds. The game went back-and-forth but for only a short time before coach Noah yelled for us to play to the outside. One of our midfielders ran up with it and was fouled. We got a penalty kick from way outside the Slammers’ 18-mark. Nicole Leggio stepped up and hit a beautiful shot near the far post and Marissa Everett got a foot on it, sending it in for the 1-0 lead. We were ecstatic!

Our side erupted into cheers, there was hugging, laughing and congratulating. But, we were playing the Slammers and I knew they were not going to quit just because we scored a goal early in the game. The Slammers refused to give up and it wasn’t long before they scored a goal of their own to tie the game. After they scored coach Noah yelled something that I’ll never forget. He said, “offense wins games, defense wins championships.”

It was game on! We knew that we had to step it up even more. As soon as the ball crossed the line for our kick-off we were like lightning — my Arsenal girls were getting crazy out there. Then all of a sudden Marissa found herself alone with the ball about 25-yards out and she chipped it perfectly with her left foot into the back of the net. We then scored another goal quickly on a beautiful header by Nicole for the 3-1 score going into halftime. Our offense was on fire!

From my point of view, our offense had done its job and it was time for our defense to shut it down in the second half. Elizabeth Nunez, Carly Gamble, Danika Bowman and Ayana Robles rose to the occasion and were unbeatable. They are amazing defenders and when they need me, they know I’ve got their back. No service…no goals…NOT in my 18!

The final whistle blew and the game was over. We had won the National Cup! We ran to our sideline hugging, laughing, congratulating and grinning from ear to ear. I looked over at my coach, who was just smiling.

I looked at all the parents cheering on the sidelines and my family was going crazy. I caught a glimpse of my dad and he had an expression of happiness and pride. His driving me all over and making me constantly practice on my own when I’d rather watch television had really paid off.

I love my team. All of the girls are so nice and everyone gets along. These girls are so incredibly humble for being so good. We make each other better by being aggressive and encouraging one another. We WIN together, we LOSE together, we are FRIENDS, we are SISTERS and we are ARSENAL! And today, we are National Cup champions and from my view that shiny gold medal looks pretty sweet.