Connor Uhl '17 Recruiting Profile

Since starting to play travel soccer, almost 10 years ago, I have wanted to play at the next level.  My brother played on a travel team 3 years older than mine.  Since day one, I have gone to his practices.  As I got to know the players, on his team, they realized my skills and requested me to participate in their practices.  Although I was 3 years younger, I have been able to play to their level.  For many of his teammates, I was able to beat them in scrimmages as well as best them in skill challenges.  As my skills continued to grow, other teams knew of my abilities.  While playing U10, U11 and U12, I was asked to guest play on our club’s travel team a year older than mine.  At U13 and U14, I was asked to guest play on our club’s teams 2 and 3 years older.  Although I was smaller and younger, I was able to play to their level, hold my own and score on several occasions.

Each summer, our high school varsity team travels to Iowa for a summer showcase tournament.  The summer before I was entering my freshman year, the Varsity soccer coach reached out to me and several other freshmen, and asked if we would join them at the Iowa tournament.  I asked around and no one could remember when freshmen were asked to attend the Iowa tournament, before.  I was told the Seniors, whom I had been practicing with for years as well as guest playing for the past two years, had been asked, by the varsity coach, if there were any incoming freshmen who would be able to step into a varsity spot and play.  I was one of the players; the upperclassmen advised the coach had the skills and abilities to play at their level.  I worked hard and used the playing opportunities to learn and continue to increase my skills. 

With each new year, I continue to learn and increase my abilities.  Starting at my U15 level, I changed clubs and now pay with an Elite level team.  With this team I have raised my level of competition, as well as training.  We compete in an elite league, in Illinois; in either the Illinois State or Illinois Presidents’ Cup tournament; and in multiple college showcase tournaments throughout the Midwest.  In each competition, I have the opportunity to compete against elite teams and players from throughout the Midwest region.  With each game played, the drive to take my game to the next level increases.  I review what was successful and what needs to improve.  As I identify what areas can be improved, I know my goal for playing in college, gets ever closer.

When I am given the opportunity to play in college, where ever that will be, I have no doubt the coaches will agree the years of preparation have given me the skills and abilities to play, contribute and succeed at the college level – achieving the goal I set years ago.