Jake Lazarus '20 Recruiting Profile

Although I’ve been playing soccer since I was 3 years old, I didn’t become serious about the sport until about 5^th grade, when I started training one-on-one with a coach to improve my keeper skills. The personalized attention not only showed me what I was capable of, but also motivated me to join a more competitive club team in my area. Since then, I have been on 6 different club teams, almost a new team every season. While many of these teams simply disbanded, on a few occasions I chose to move to a more competitive team, often seeking to play with those a year or two older than I am.

By moving teams so often, I have learned a lot about my capabilities as both a player and teammate. As a keeper, I’ve had to work hard to quickly get to know my new teammates and coaches and adapt to their style. I have also learned that I am able to push myself to any level of play, and will work to meet my teammates’ abilities. My sophomore year, when I joined Arsenal FC Academy, I was able to learn from some of the most elite players around, and then practice my skills with my Club and high school teams. All these experiences have made me into the player I am today – adaptable, willing to challenge myself, and determined to learn all I can about the sport I love. I cannot wait to play at the next level in college, where I can use these skills and finally commit myself to a team and program.