“Anytime,” I said. And I meant it. Leadership wasn’t always speeches. It wasn’t promises. If being a captain had taught me anything, it was that sometimes I just needed to show up, stand beside my teammates, and support their decisions.
I hoped they’d do the same for me when the time came.
39
Teddy
“Teddy, Denver threw a lot at you in those final minutes,” the reporter for theWomen's Sports Channelsaid. “What was the message defensively when they kept the ball through so many phases?”
“We knew it would be a tough game,” I said, breath still uneven, chest rising and falling as the adrenaline slowly drained away. “So the focus was on staying connected, not biting in, and trusting that if we held our shape long enough, we’d force a mistake.”
Another voice cut in quickly. “You seemed particularly strong at the breakdown tonight. Was that a point of emphasis coming into the match?”
“It always is,” I replied, a small smile tugging at my mouth. “But credit goes to the work rate. We were disciplined with our entries, we didn’t chase turnovers that weren’t on, and when the opportunity came, we took it.”
“You’re now sitting top of the table. Does that change how you approach the next few fixtures?”
“It’s a good position to be in, but it doesn’t earn you anything by itself. We still have matches to win, and teams will come at us harder now. That’s something we welcome.”
“Does that bring added pressure?” the reporter asked.
I exhaled slowly before answering. “Pressure’s part of the job. I think the difference now is that we trust what we’re doing. We’ve built this over time. We might be in our first professional season, but we’re all seasoned athletes in the game, and that makes it easier to stay calm when it matters.”
The reporter nodded. “Does it feel different leading the competition in a league that’s still finding its footing?”
I chose my words carefully. “It does, because it matters,” I said. “We’re not just playing for results. We’re showing what’s possible when women are given the platform, the resources, and the trust to perform at this level. Nights like this prove we belong here.”
“Thank you for your time, Captain. We wish you all the best in your season.”
“Thank you,” I said, handing the mic back as the camera light clicked off.
The noise of the stadium rushed back in the second I stepped away. I took a moment to roll my shoulders before heading toward the tunnel. The adrenaline was still lingering under my skin, but it had morphed into something warmer as I pushed through the locker room doors.
The music was already louder than it had any right to be.
Lola had climbed onto one of the benches, towel slung over her shoulder like a cape, belting out lyrics that only loosely matched the song while Evie heckled her from across the room. Someone wolf-whistled as I walked in.
“Captain!” Lola and Delany shouted. “Did you tell them we’re unstoppable?”
I laughed, the sound slipping out easily now, as ice packs were traded and jerseys hit the floor, the room buzzing with that loose, unfiltered energy that only came after a win.
“Top of the table, baby,” Lola said again, shaking her head like she still couldn’t quite believe it.
“Say it slower. I want to savor it,” Delany said, closing her eyes.
“Top. Of. The. Table.”
Cheers and shouting manifested. The joy was infectious, rolling through the team like a current. Everything was aligning—the constant effort, the sacrifice, the early mornings and relentless training schedules. But it was more; it was this team, my team.
The women who showed up every day and trusted each other to do the same. Who carried their weight without being asked. Who made space and demanded better and didn’t flinch when it got hard. This didn’t work because of one moment or one win. It worked because of us.
I didn’t feel like I was chasing the end. I wanted to stay here in this high because it was ours and we were building a real future together.
My heart skipped a beat when I looked at all these women around me.
“Cap, you’re out with us tonight, no excuses.” Evie pouted at me. “I need a drink and you’re buying.”
“Oh, am I?” I scoffed but knew I would. I’d do just about anything for them right now.
