Coleman and Farris currently each have five goals, leading their respective teams. While Coleman relies on his rock solid head and field awareness to craftily score goals, Farris uses her blazing speed and deceptive dribbling skills to elude defenders and place the ball into the net.
Farris and Coleman have many things in common from a soccer standpoint. They both are constantly around the ball, are fierce competitors, and are extremely skilled. Yet, the number one trait they have in common is that they want to be the best, to be número uno.
These two studs are in a ferocious rivalry to outdo the other and score more goals by the end of the season.
Farris says, “Starting freshman year, we played on an indoor team. We were very competitive with who scored more goals, and that’s carried over to this year. We want to show each other up.”
Unfortunately for Coleman, Farris has a slight edge now. Nick “Scar” Coleman, as he’s now known by his fans, suffered a brutal injury in a 1-1 tie against Waltham. Coleman got head butted and was taken to the hospital and received six stitches. His one-week absence allowed Farris to get more playing time and she has a chance to take a 7-6 lead.
“The majority of my goals have been headers or from free kicks,” says Coleman. “She’s more technically skilled in her soccer playing, but I use the skills that I have to my advantage.”
Coleman adds, “I’m committed to beating Alex in goal scoring. It’s my first year playing midfield on Varsity. We’re tied right now. I want to beat her. ‘Nuff said.”
I sat down with Coleman and Farris individually, and there was some evident trash talking from both stars.
“Scoring goals is one thing, but bringing moral leadership and supplying passion is what my real goal is,” exclaims Coleman. “In fact, it’s my greatest goal of all.”
Coleman followed up with a controversial remark, saying, “Alex could have a lot more potential in soccer if she didn’t spend so much time focusing on cats.” Coleman, meanwhile, tries to act like a cool cat himself, hanging around Taylor King in the cafeteria.
Anyone who knows Farris well is fully aware of her obsession with cats. Coleman questions whether soccer is as important to Farris as cats are.
Jesse Weiss, a friend of both Coleman and Farris, says, “The two of them are great. I’m interested to see how this rivalry will end.”
As long as Coleman has his lucky necklace, he feels he can push past Farris.
“I like to think that this necklace provides a spiritual advantage to me on the field during practice, though we’re not allowed to wear it on the field. The spirit carries into my games.”
The issue here is not about which team is better. Both teams are hovering around .500 and have a chance to qualify for the state tournament.
It is not a dispute over who is more popular, who gets better grades (Coleman confesses that this last accomplishment belongs to Farris), or about who will be more successful playing soccer at the college level.
This is a battle for glory, one for recognition, respect, and dignity. Whoever wins in the long run will forever be known as a champion, or the “Ultimate Goal Scorer.”
Whatever happens in the end, Coleman singles out another main advantage he has over her, his dignified new hair cut.
“I know some people liked it when my hair blew in the wind,” brags Coleman. “I went for the shorter hair cut to look more professional and refined. Maybe that’s another advantage I have over Alex. I don’t have the hair to get in the way like Alex does.”
Farris’ hair may be a distraction. Coleman’s scar may be an obstacle. Yet champions have to overcome boundaries, and that is exactly what Farris and Coleman have to do in order to win the “Goal Medal” and be the number one goal scorer at Arlington High.
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