- 2016 Highlights
Personal Statement
My name is Ally Downey and I am currently in my senior year at Red Mountain High School in Mesa, Arizona. I will be graduating in the spring of 2017 and am looking to continue my soccer career at the collegiate level. I have been playing soccer ever since I can remember and have loved it from the moment I could first kick a ball. For many years, I was coached by my own mother- an extremely gifted and experienced player herself, winning a national championship with her club team when she was just 16 years old. Due to this, I always held myself to a very high standard and was given no freebies. I was often the one consistently put on the left side (because no one wanted to have to use their left foot) or in various positions that needed filling and because of this, I became a versatile player and good at using both my left and my right foot. When I turned 9 years old, I began playing with the Red Mountain Desert Devils coached by Barry Adam, which was a team that started as an AYSO recreational organization and eventually turned into a club team. I take great pride in being part of a team that started out as an underdog from the get-go, yet worked extremely hard to keep up with some of the best club teams in the state. In the spring of 2016, we were ranked 9th in the state as a U17 team and won the state President's Cup in the years 2013, 2015, and 2016, coming in 2nd place in 2014. Because of this, we were able to represent Arizona in the regional tournaments held in Colorado in 2013 and Washington in 2015 (we were unfortunately too old to attend a tournament in 2016 because we had aged out). This experience taught me the value of hard work and perseverance through obstacles that may stand in your way. I have also played for my high school team since my freshman year and look forward to finish out my time as a Mountain Lion after this season. During the summer between my freshman and sophomore years, I attended a week long soccer camp held at Arizona State University where my coach played me at outside back for the majority of the week. This was a change for me because I usually played midfield, but I ended up taking very well to the position and becoming extremely fond of it. I am approaching my 3rd year as a starting defender on the Varsity team now and also play attacking/defensive midfield. Interested colleges should know that I am a passionate, hardworking player that will bring a great attitude and a willingness to always keep learning to your team.
