Ghostball! Round 16! [And they win!]

"This is Nakahara Eiichi."
"And I'm Furugane Kaki!"
"Welcome to the third round if LANA Dragons vs NuclearZ, third period and NuclearZ leads with 53 points against 20."
The match was to start again, and to all surpises was it Kasumi that was to face-off against Mira; a battle that Mira won with ease as Kasumi didn't manage to time the jump correctly. With it, the ball was on NuclearZ side, and in the arms on Ryuuza that rushed the field, followed by the team.
Jusace tried to block, but ending with a save from Bob, that passed it to Akane. It was a different match, where LANA Dragons changed positions and movement constant, and when Jusace by accident waved her hand in Akumi's face and got a penalty did LANA Dragons work tighter in their defensive zone.

For the first time, did they succeed long enough to defend under the box-play, until Jusace was out on the field again. Instantly Akane passed a long shot, a good aim that allowed Jusace to pick it up and just before Ryuuza mangled her down, did she get ghosted by Aurora. Struggling to get forward did Jusace soon just threw away the ball, giving them a break to return to defense. Soon it was a new face-off, and this time Lillitu took it against Mira; every face-off was done by different members in the team, confusing Mira and the team. It was something odd about how they played, much more reliant on defense. 

"Their game, its different from before." Mira breathed heavy while she sat down on the switchers-bench. Shura fixated the glasses on her nose, looking out on the field. "They play careful, defensive and taking the rhythm. Like we did before. We are much better and powerful than them, however, our strength doesn't matter if they pull us down to their level."
"True, they would never gotten to that if not because of Bob-san." Ayamane drank from a bottle of water. "She is old, but still can crank it up. They also have some good people in their team. Talented, although they need to get that talent out."
"If they had a real coach, would they become much stronger." Shura smiled faintly. "And when our coach gets here, we will improve our play as well. Now this is a battle between Natsume-san and Bob-san, who can lead the team to victory."
"10 minutes and no score except ghostings. We need to break it." Mira bit her lip while Ayamane stood up. "I will chase them down."

"Bob-san, are you okay?" Miyabi put a hand on Bob shoulder. The other was on her knees after a new save, even if an amazing save was it obvious Bob was on her limits. "Ah... I'm fine. We are breaking through soon." Bob grinned with sweat pouring down her face as she forced herself up. Her body, it hurt all over. Legs, knees, elbows, back. It reminded that she wasn't 18 anymore, that she was old and out of shape. Now it was simply stubbornness that pushed her on.
It was so for them all. Miyabi felt her leg was shaking and it was hard to focus. Akane, Lillitu, Jusace, all was completely worn out by now. Even Minorin that was like a duracell-bunny from hell was mellow of tiredness. All fought with pure stubbornness and will by now, even if it felt easier to play then before. The rhythm was on their side now. 
"Keep it up girls, let score some points!" Bob yelled and grinned with new energy as she held up the ball and passed it to Akane, that sprung with new energy with Lillitu at her side. "Let's go!"

But not only LANA Dragons put up a gear; NuclearZ put ip even more. With Ayamane, the chaser of the team, on the field did she soon intercept and stopped Akane. Even if she had a strong grip, did Ayamane have her techniques, things Akane never been against before. This wasn't like boxing, far from it and she slid on the sand as she tried to turn and stop Ayamane that quickly passed to Aoi. They passed quicker, and through a struggle between Ryuuza and Lillitu, did NuclearZ enter the goal-field. 
It was a quick ending with Sayako finally breaking it and scored the first goal in the last period, increasing the spread.

"It have been one heated first match of the season, I'm amazed of what I have seen!" Nakahara Eiichi spoke highly as he ending signal sounded. "NuclearZ wins with 64 against LANA Dragons 24."
"LANA Dragons fought hard, but they couldn't withstand the nuking power of NuclearZ!" Kaku shouted excited as he looked on the small screen in the booth. "And here is the three MVP of the match, the three that have impressed the most under this match, showing great performance!"

3rd - Butoukai-Nakahara Bob, Goaltender, LANA Dragons.
2nd - Natsuki Mira, Attacker, NuclearZ
1st - Natsume Honda, Goaltender, NuclearZ.

Both teams stood in line as they shook their hands for the game that had been, even if the energy and will in LANA Dragons was as blown out. 
"Good first match, captain." Natsume smiled as she shook Miyabi's hand. She let off a smile as well, even if her legs barely carried her now. "Thank so much as well, Natsume-san." 
The arena was slowly emptied on people, and both teams went to their locker-rooms to shower and change to their normal clothing. The atmosphere was heavy as they quietly showered and changed, they didn't know what to say.
"I think it was awesome." Bob suddenly said with a sly grin as she pulled on a top. "Our first match, and we still managed to get 24 points!"
"I don't like losing." Akane muttered a bit and flinched when Bob flickered her in the forehead. "Oi, we lost, but we learned to. Why did you think I kept such rotation under the game? To see who and what do best."
"You counted on that we would lose?" Aurora grimaced slightly. 
"Of course. I don't have as goal to win the first matches, but to make sure you all learn." Bob shrugged a bit as she packed her things. "But we are going to speak more of it tomorrow, so see you then. Rest up and take in all we been through today."
She qaved as she left the room, and as soon the door closed, did she nearly fall to the floor. "Urgh... I'm to old..."

Miyabi felt how sour her body was the day after, even if it felt better compared to yesterday. After a nights rest and a good breakfast, did things seems much lighter and clearer. A bubbling joy was in her chest; they had been in their first match! Even if they didn't win, was just the very thing to be there worth anything. Even if she walked like an old lady now, but soon she could move rather okay without limping around like a pirate. 
later they would meet up with at the LANA Dragon office, to go through things. Mike and Ana had gotten many videos from the game, and when they later looked at it, was it odd to see the match from a different view. Bob explained everything, and the match became a valuable lesson. 
They had lost, but also grown even more from it; a lose that is worth it.
"Such pathetic bunch of players, and you call yourself a Ghostball team?"