With no soccer accomplishments to speak of during the entirety of Suou Sumire's junior high school years, the young wing gets an odd offer. Suou's main rival, Soshizaki Midori, invites her to join up on the same team in high school, with a promise that she'll never let Suou "play alone." It's an earnest offer, but the question is whether Suou will take her up on it. Thus the curtain opens on a story that collects an enormous cast of individual soccer-playing personalities!
During her final winter of middle school, Nozomi Onda struggles to decide where to go for high school. Nozomi wants to continue play on the boys' soccer team even in high school, but at the recommendation of her advisor Samejima, she decides to join the Warabi Seinan High School girl's soccer team, also known as the "Warabis." On her first day on the team, the new students are made to play against the second-years, and her team includes midfielder Midori Soshizaki, who led her team to third place at the national tournament in middle school, as well as Sumire Suo, a lightning-fast full-back.
Former women's national team member Naoko Nomi becomes coach of the Warabis in order to gain experience as a soccer coach. She immediately informs the team that she is scheduling a practice game against another school. The Warabis experience firsthand the terrifying nature of their new coach, who was known as Namahage Nomi during her career. The new Warabis first opponent is Spring and Summer champions, the Kunogi Academy girls' soccer team.
The first half of the Warabis' practice game against Kunogi Academy ends with a score of 0-7. Upon witnessing the high skill level of her opponents, Nozomi is not disheartened, but rather begins to glow with excitement. Nozomi's play inspires her team to regain their momentum, and though the Warabis are closing in on Kunogi's goal, the point difference only widens. Meanwhile, Suo is distressed over having her preferred playstyle shut down completely, and Nozomi goes off on her.
A shot from Nozomi's right foot shakes the net of Kunogi Academy's goal. However, her magnificent goal that surprised everyone present is invalidated by a foul committed by her teammate Aya Shiratori. Meanwhile, the whistle announcing the end of the game sounds, resulting in a massive defeat of 0-21. The Warabis can't hide their frustration, but with the addition of Nozomi, Soshizaki, and Suo, the team is about to be truly reborn.
The Warabis are facing new problems. Not only are the uniforms designed by Nomi bizarre, but the boys' soccer team is demanding that they vacate their field. Tase and the second-years suggest co-ed practices with the boys' soccer team, but they're shot down by Coach Asuka. However, they refuse to give up, and go back to him again.
Tase and the second-years attempt to convince Coach Asuka to let them practice with the boys' soccer team. Meanwhile, in order to pay for new kits, Nozomi and the first-years attend a futsal tournament offering gift certificates as prizes. They meet Ito and Tsukuda there and recruit them to their team. The Warabis keep winning until they finally reach the finals. Standing between them and the grand prize is an old rival of the Kunogi Academy players.
The Saitama prefectural prelims are finally starting. Unable to conceal her excitement at playing in her first official game as a Warabi, Nozomi is unable to fall asleep. On game day, the Warabis face off against Asaka Trade, the previous year's third place team. With the score tied 3-3 in the second half, the Warabis would like to avoid giving up points at any cost, but instead they serve up a great opportunity to Asaka Trade. In order to save the Warabis from a desperate situation, Nozomi boldly leaps into the penalty area.
Having won their second game in the Saitama prefectural prelims, the Warabis are one step away from advancing to the knockout stages. The next morning, while playing softball during P.E. class, Nozomi forces a hit and injures her foot. On the day of the third game, Nozomi plays despite her injury, but the pain in her foot gets worse and worse. Her teammates are concerned for her, but she remains on the field.
The Warabis advance to the knockout stages of the Saitama prefectural prelims. Their first opponent is Urawa Seinan, a strong team full of unique players, including Soshizaki's former middle school teammate Chika Kirishima. With the game coming up in several days, based on information gathered by team scout Kei Hanabusa, Urawa Seinan holds a meeting. Meanwhile, Soshizaki practices hard with her feelings about Kirishima and her desire to beat Urawa Seinan in her heart.
The first game of the knockout stages has begun. Their opponents are tournament favorites Urawa Hosei. From the start, though Soshizaki uses her quick wits to create opportunities despite being closely guarded, she finds herself blocked by Urawa Hosei's impregnable defense. Urawa Hosei gradually forces the Warabis into a corner with their ever-changing formation. Meanwhile, Kirishima recalls last year's game against Kunogi Academy.
The game against Urawa Hosei enters its second half. Thanks to their dedicated defenders, the Warabis somehow make it through the first half with a score of 0-0. As both teams struggle with the poor pitch conditions due to rain, Nozomi, who failed to play up to her own expectations during the group stages and was nicknamed "jizo statue" by her opponents' scout, receives some instructions from Fukatsu that propel her into enemy territory with plays that astonish both her teammates and opponents.
The Warabis close in on Urawa Hosei's goal with an attack focused around Nozomi, but at the last second, they fail to score the first point of the game. As both teams struggle for dominance, Urawa Hosei takes advantage of a split-second opportunity, and their eccentric forward Alice Adatara scores the first point. The Warabis attempt to even the score, while Urawa Hosei's attacks centered around forwards Tenma and Adatara continue.
The Warabis are defeated by Urawa Hosei in the first round of the knockout stages. The next day, Nozomi finds herself unable to sort out her feelings, so she heads to the goal by herself. When Fukatsu stops by, she shares her feelings with him. Even after he tells her that she doesn't need to change, she still has doubts. The Warabis gather at the practice pitch one by one, and together they attempt to make a fresh start with the desire to become stronger in their hearts.
