Selvin Reyes '22 Recruiting Profile

My life has revolved around my passion for soccer since I was a small child. At a young age, I got my first soccer ball. I've never looked back since then. I've been getting up early on weekends for as long as I can recall to drive all over Northern California and beyond for my league games and tournaments. And when I don't have a match planned, I get up early to watch my favorite teams from around the world on TV or go out to referee a local game. I've been recognised as a natural leader who contributes and keeps the community together over the years with various teams, coaches, and even teachers. If it's motivating a depressed teammate or assisting with squad organization. When we are on the field together, one of, if not my favorite facets of the sport is the bond and comradery we have when working hard for a shared objective.

My desire to play different positions is a vital aspect of my game as a strong soccer player. I've spent most of my career as a midfielder and defender, but my coaches have recently moved me to right back because I have a clear vision and understanding of the game. The concept seemed strange at first, but I approached the new job with an open mind and a positive outlook. My coaches now use me at right back on the field, where I'm most wanted. One of the reasons I love playing right back is that it allows me to roam up and down the wing and use my pace to build opportunities for my teammates. It also allows me to build chances by switching the ball around or heading up to play winger. I'm more familiar with how defenders think and play now, so I can change my game accordingly. From my defender vantage point, I can predict my teammates' motions because I am so familiar with them. This aids in the distribution of the ball at the right time in order to put the ball in the back of the net, either directly or by the wingers.

Soccer has taught me many important life lessons, like how to collaborate as part of a squad, how to take guidance and orders from a variety of coaches, how to have a solid work ethic, and how to dig deep to tackle adversity. I've also developed a competitive mindset, which drives me to constantly strive to be the best I can be. These skills come in handy not only in soccer, but also in other aspects of life, especially in education, where I am pursuing an AP – Advanced Placement and Honors coursework route. Soccer has aided me in improving my academic skills both in and out of the classroom. I use my work ethic, dedication, team spirit, and time management skills to help me accomplish my academic goals on my way to college. I've always been focused on getting good grades in school and my education is really important to me. I want to go to a college that will challenge me academically while still allowing me to do what I enjoy, which is playing soccer. I'm thinking about majoring in engineering because I have a knack for math and enjoy the thought of planning and constructing something with accuracy while still including elements of imagination, which is similar to how I treat my soccer game.