Leo Williamson stood on the soccer field, staring down the goal.

The crowds cheered from the stands, but she couldn't hear them anymore.

There was the goal, the soccer ball, and what it would take to make this penalty shot, nothing else. Her team was depending on her to help win this tournament. Her team, England and their opponents, Norway, both were trying to qualify for the women's under-19 championship finals.

They'd been working so hard running possession drills, sweating through strength training,

and dreaming about it all season.

But only one team could move on.

Leah drew her leg back, then forward.

Her foot connecting with the ball.

It arced through the air so fast,

speeding like a comet.

Bam!

Go! She thrust her arms into the air, about to jump for joy.

They were going to the championship.

With the referee's whistle, everything came to a screeching halt.

Leah felt like she froze in mid-air. What was happening? whistle, everything came to a screeching halt.

Leah felt like she froze in mid-air.

What was happening?

Suddenly, everyone was talking over each other, trying to make sense of what was going on.

The ref is saying that a player from our team was encroaching. She's disallowing the penalty shot.

What?

Why?

And she's giving Norway a free kick instead.

...