Two months later

Welcome and good afternoon, we're live at Jefferey Field in Pennsylvania, where number one PSU are set to meet number three Stanford for the semi-finals of the Final Four. It will be one of the greatest game this year, as the stadium is sold-out for the first time : 5'000 people are awaited to come and see its women's soccer team in action. 

Just as a reminder of the latest NCAA drama : number two UCLA will host number four Harvard as they relive an old rivalry. 

Penn State, on the other hand, has had a tremendous second half of the season, winning every game they've played - included against UCLA and Stanford - which brought them first of the table, securing the shield. 

But today, everything's about winning, as kick-off is in one hour. 

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The final whistle blows. 

Sam looks at the sky, obviously guttered : they delivered a good fight, but fell short in extra time. The final score speak for itself : 1-0 that reflect PSU's perfect defense and midfield. The Stanford captain restrain herself from tearing up : they gave everything today, and they have nothing to feel bad about. 

That's obviously what coach Harvey's speech was all about : it was a good experience for the young players that will take over after the older girls are gone. They still have the 3rd place match to play in less than a week. 

They have to bounce back. 

"Good job, Sammy" a voice says from behind the captain, who turns around and smiles. 

"You too, Moe."

The two girls quickly hug each other, before Cari wraps an arm around the blonde's shoulders : everybody know Sam is going to blame herself, mostly because she is the captain of that team and 'failed' to put the through the next round. 

But they have her back.

"We're gonna watch the UCLA game on TV" Andi says, smiling. "Wanna join ?"

"They're broadcasting it ?" 

"This one was on TV as well" Danny says, smirking. "Women's soccer is making huge improvement in terms of numbers."

"That's amazing" Sam settles, before adding : "Of course I'm in : I gotta watch my big sister on TV."

As the girls are all walking toward the locker room, very disappointing but united, the captain greets the remaining PSU players, congratulated by the Polish goalie and Houghton, who liked her performance a lot. 

Afterwards, Sam spots Lucy not far from her, talking with some people on the public. She says goodbye to the PSU players, wishing them luck for the finale next week, before walking toward the Brit, who greets her with a bright smile. 

They hug each other shortly, before Lucy says : 

"You are amazing."

Her loving eyes are making Sam smile. 

"So are you." 

Their relationship has evolved from the time of Ashlyn's death to now ; they're becoming quite the perfect pairing, not sure they should get into a relationship yet because of the fact that Lucy is about to sign a contract with Manchester City, who basically offered her to play for a pretty good salary. 

Sam knows it's an amazing club, and she wants all the best for the Brit. But her heart shatters every time it comes to her mind. 

"It's the end soon" the middy comments, looking away from her.

As they're walking toward the locker room, Lucy grabs her hand. 

"One more game." she says, before smiling. 

Sam sighs. 

"One more game", she repeats. 

*

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"MAL" Kristie yells from across the field. "THEIR GOALIE IS OFF HER LINE"

Mal lifts her eyes, ball at her feet : her captain is right, D'Angelo did come off her line. The decision she makes next will change the course of the game. 

From about midfield, the young forward shoots the ball as hard as she can, looking at it lob the keeper and fall in the back of the net. The brunette immediately runs toward the bench, where current and former players are jumping everywhere. She jumps on Mads arms, and next thing she knows, she is surrounded by her teammates. 

From now on, Harvard just cracks. 

As soon as Ashley Sanchez enters the field for Rachel, she scores a stunner that was meant to be a cross at first. Minutes later, in the 80', Sonnett puts a header in the back of the net. The other team doesn't manage to put one back, and the final whistle blows. 

Not so bad for my first game back, Julie thinks to herself, smiling. 

They're through to the finals, and they better kick some asses.