She "kicked" it, and then I kicked it
 

The ball is loose on a rebound, and is bouncing low towards A1. Instinctively, she narrows her knees to stop it, trapping it between her shins. The lead sees it clearly, does nothing, and play goes on. I guess it was something he hadn’t seen and it caught him off guard. I was lead. ;)

Violation on A. Ball to be nearest to where the violation occurs.

and don't kick it anymore! ::snicker::

I don't see an intentional kick here.
Also, sounds a lot like a jr.high game, yes? :)

She intentionally squeezed her shins together to catch the ball.
Freshman girls. Close enough. :D

If a player intentionally strikes the ball with ANY part of the leg or foot it is a violation. Seems to me that the girl intentionally moved her legs to stop the ball, hence the violation.

A violation occurs anytime a player, with their legs, places a "vice-like grip" on the ball.

Catching the ball and intentionally striking the ball are the same?
I remain unsure.
Cases show intentionally deflecting and kicking with foot, but not catching.
Sell me.

Rule source?

There's a specific NCAA AR that applies. Most (?) have the interp apply to FED as well, although I don't recall any specific play.

Bob,
Is that the one about trapping the ball on the floor?

I believe the AR has to do with a player trapping the ball between their legs, and the opponent grabbing the ball as well. This is not a held ball situation, but a violation on the player holding it with their legs.

The rule says "intentionally strike the ball." Most interpret "strike" to include any movement of the leg with the intent of touching the ball. Now, in my situation, before the ball was trapped, it actually bounced of one leg.

Snaqwells,
Do you remember what her hands were doing at the time of the trap?
Was she clumsy? Was she redirecting the ball? Did she merely mis-field the grounder?

I do. I had a great view. She was in the process of reach down to grab it when her knees moved together. It wasn't an awkward movement; more like a hockey goalie pinching his legs together to prevent the puck from going through. She looked down, squeezed her knees to trap it, reached to grab the ball, and passed it.

Thanks, Snaq.
Even more clearly now, I do not think think she intentionally kicked the ball.