- 2016 Highlights #4
Personal Statement
Hi, my name is Emily Burke. I am 16 years old and a junior at Southeast High School. My passion for soccer began when I was 5 years old. While I enjoyed recreational soccer, I was encouraged to take my skills to the next level. At the age of thirteen, I joined my first soccer club (Canton United). Although I played up a year, I needed to challenge myself by playing with faster and more skilled players, so I transferred to the Internationals Soccer Club, one of the top ranked teams in my state. Recently I transferred to the Pittsburgh Rivehounds Academy to pursue a clearer path to college soccer and take my development to the next level. I have always lived in rural northeast Ohio, but have played in multiple other states and countries. On my own, I arranged to guest play with Clubs in London, England and Paris, France. This shows that I am willing to go anywhere to play the sport I love. I will change everything for the opportunity to play because soccer is my absolute passion! I would like to get a degree in sports medicine and am taking college classes this year while still in high school. This will allow me to focus on soccer at the beginning of my college career. I have back up plans with money set aside to pay for an additional 4 years of college if needed. Although I would love to have a perfect academic and athletic match, I just want to play soccer!
My commitment, work ethic, drive, and team focused attitude makes me an ideal candidate for your team and college. I can shoot, pass, dribble, trap, and chip with both feet. I can shield, steal, and lead. I contribute at all field positions.
I am a committed team player and soccer is a team sport. I don't let personal feelings get in the way of helping my team both on and off the field. I encourage my teammates to work together with the same goal; to play their best. I prefer playing center midfield or winger, but I set an example for my team by playing any position that is needed. Due to injuries I agreed to play sweeper and outside back for my ODP team which allowed us to win the Continental Cup with only 13 players.
I set the highest standards for myself. I push myself both mentally and physically. I practice every day without question because I am determined to always get better. I am committed to lifelong training and personal development. I set goals that drive me to increase my knowledge, skill, and endurance. I have a long way to go to achieve my goals, but I consistently grow academically, physically, and emotionally.
Although soccer is my passion, I know that it is important to maintain a balanced life including family, friends, and other personal interests. Despite my intense training and academic pursuits, I support my friends in their life goals, help my parents, maintain good friendships here and overseas, and still have time for my German exchange sister, French club, expanding my music library and dancing.
