Personal Statement
Soccer is my passion. It has pushed me to excel in everything I do, from being a better student academically to working with neighborhood kids to improve their game, to being a role model for others both on and off the field. For as long as I can remember, soccer has been my focus. I have been playing since the age of three and at age ten, I decided to make soccer my sole sport and joined NEFC. After four years with NEFC, I moved to Abbey Villa’s Barcelona team, their top ranked team, as their sole goal keeper. The three years I have been with Abbey Villa, we have won the Massachusetts State Cup two years and traveled to West Virginia to compete in the Region I Championship.
I have soccer to thank for building on some of my qualities over the years. One of the most important is how to be a leader. Both my freshman year and now again my senior year, my teammates voted me captain and I take that job very seriously, not only because I want to build a strong team, but also because it was my teammates that voted me into that position. I feel I do a great job motivating my team both during practice, workouts, and during games. As the keeper, I help set the tone during the games and my teammates look to me for that extra push to keep them going. Being a leader on the field has helped me succeed in both school and the outside community, as well. People look to me to be a leader and that has always pushed me to become a better and stronger player.
Another quality that has been enhanced because of soccer is how to be part of a team. Communication is key, especially for a goalkeeper. I have learned to quickly assess a situation and relay it to my teammates. In class, I am a better student when we work in groups because of my training with my soccer team. Everybody has a role and we all have a job to do. I don’t mind taking over a leadership role in those teams but I have learned that just like on the field, every voice matters.
My college experience will hopefully combine my passion for soccer with love for leadership. Not only am I looking for a competitive soccer program and working with a great team and coaching staff, but I also want a school with a program to certify me to be a physical education teacher so that I can someday teach, coach soccer, and one day, ultimately become an Athletic Director. Staying connected to students and teaching them all the valuable lessons I have learned, while continuing to be involved with the sport I love, would be my dream come true.
