<p>I've played soccer since the sixth grade. I love the sport, I love being fit, and I love being part of a team. However, what I don't love is sitting on the bench, especially as a senior.</p>
<p>See, here's the difficulty. My school fields one of the best soccer programs in our state, and this year we have a serious shot at winning the state championship. I'm not a bad player in the whole grand scheme of things - my coach told me last year that at any other school in the region I would have been a three-year starter. However, I am stuck in a rather vexing dilemma. I can play soccer as my senior year comes to a close, and risk missing out some of the joys of graduating high school, but do something I love. There is a real possibility that I could leave with a state championship ring. But will it mean anything if I haven't helped to win it? I also am not overly fond of being stuck on the bench. It's a little embarrassing to watch my friends run out on the field to be recognized as starters as I am left on the sideline. Plus, it's frustrating when we lose and there is nothing I can do, or when someone is playing badly but coach won's sub them out. Help!</p>