Emma Therkildsen '22 Recruiting Profile

Hello, my name is Emma. Since I was four years old, soccer has always been a huge part of my life. Around the time when I was thirteen, I was on a competitive club team and every practice I had, I would struggle and struggle to keep up with my teammates, and at that moment, I knew I never wanted to have that feeling of frustration and defeat again. I began to personal train with a trainer, touch the ball every day, and work on my weaknesses as a player. In 2018, I won state as a starter for club and as a starting freshman for my high school varsity soccer team. The achievement of being a varsity athlete and an excellent 4.0 GPA student showed me how mentally strong I am capable of being and how I can improve as a person and a player on and off the field.

Unfortunately, a few days after my high school won state, I got injured in a DPL tournament game. I had to get knee surgery for a torn meniscus and was out for eight months. This event tested me multiple times, physically, mentally, and emotionally. However, the injury that I sustained showed me the strength and drive I possess and after a long and hard journey, I was able to do what I love again. Not only was I able to say I made it, or I came back from what was thrown at me, I was able to say and show that obstacles and failure can’t hold me back from becoming a better student, person, and player each and every day. I practice every day, I work hard in school, and I push myself time and time again, all because I have this love for the game, for that little ball on the field.