Protocol on the pitch Published March 19, 2015 By Airman 1st Class Apryl Hall Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- The game is tied, the players are exhausted, time is fading fast and a chance to be ranked one of the state's top five high school girls' soccer teams is on the line. The corner kick is set up. As the ball is struck, an eager defender charges forward in hopes of meeting the ball as it plummets towards the turf. The first attempted shot is blocked and the second deflected. The defender sees the ball break free, lunges and strikes the ball just in time. The back of the net ripples violently as the ball drops to the ground in the game-winning goal. Most of Malena Lennon's childhood was spent on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Although soccer was available, basketball was the sport of choice by her peers, so naturally, that is what she gravitated toward. With basketball being her first love, it took Lennon the majority of her life to realize her passion for soccer, she said. "I didn't actually know I loved soccer and wanted to stick to it until my freshman year of high school," Lennon said. At just 17-years-old and now living in Minot, Lennon credits a coach with helping her realize her capacity to become a great soccer player. "He loved the game so much that it kind of rubbed off on me," Lennon said. "He really pushed me and knew my potential. He got me to where I am today." Constantly working on her game, Lennon recently found out she earned a scholarship to play soccer at the University of Great Falls next year. Still high from the excitement of her scholarship news, she then received an email that changed her life. "I opened it and first thought it was junk mail," Lennon said. "Then I realized, this is actually a real thing. I starting screaming and immediately called my mom." Lennon had just read the email inviting her to play for the U-19 United States Women's National Team, the team that will represent America in this summers' United World Games in Austria. "I couldn't believe it," Lennon said. "I'm not too high on the confidence level. I'm still in the 'fake it 'til you make it' area, but I'm working on that." Lennon's mother and chief of 5th Bomb Wing protocol, Gloria, knew her daughter had a gift early on. "Since she was little she's always been athletic and shown great potential in any sport," Gloria said. "She's very self-disciplined, and never had to be told to practice something or do her homework. She's always just been on it, so we're really blessed in that aspect." To prepare for the international tournament in June, Malena has taken her training to another level. "I'm constantly doing weight-lifting training and speed and strength along with it," Malena said. "I'm trying to get into better shape to prepare for this tournament. There's always room for improvement." Malena will mostly be used as a defender, but with her "aggressive and explosive" type of play, the opportunity to score is always there just like in the state-qualifying game, she said. She is ready to help the national team in any way she can. Whether Malena prevents goals or scores them in Austria this summer, being able to represent her country playing the sport she loves is a dream come true, she said. Her mother could not agree more. "She's worked hard, she's very humble and she deserves this," Gloria said. "I'm just very proud."