Eli Leonard '19 Recruiting Profile

Junior year my high school had four Captains.  Senior year my Coach decided to only have two.  I decided to go for it anyway.  Two teammates and friends I respect very much ultimately went on to be Captains.  Although disappointed for a moment, I knew that this did not define my past soccer experience or my senior year ahead.  I have always been a leader on the soccer field whether in understanding a new formation, supporting my coaches, rallying the team, scoring goals, encouraging through hot early season days and freezing cold, dark playoff games, arranging off season training, and mentoring younger players.  As a kindergarten player, my teammates and I tried to figure out how to get the ball down to the other end of the field.  Although I easy could dribble around all of them, I started working on my passing game because I knew eventually I'd meet someone who could out run me.  While I worked hard on the field, I also saw the value of being part of a team.  I received a great deal of mentorship during summer baseball from a group of boys that due to my baseball age were actually a grade younger than me.  When it was their turn to be freshmen, intimidated by the older varsity players on the pre-season pitch, I made a point to meet them on the edge and put them at ease by walking on the field together.  It was my turn to guide them.  While I have always felt at home on the soccer field, high school has truly been a time of growth for me further developing my learning style on the soccer field and especially in the classroom.  I also learned that I did not need to have the title of Captain to serve my team in a proud and valuable way. I regard my status as an MIAA student athlete very seriously.  When I put on an athletic coat or shirt with my team logo I know I am representing my high school and the bar for excellence is set high, but higher by me because I acknowledge the talent and passion I have for the game, the support I have received, and the places I will go.