Michael Pappagallo '23 Recruiting Profile

Hi, my name is Michael Pappagallo from Saddle Brook, NJ. My soccer journey began at the age of 5 learning the basics in my local recreation soccer league. As my interest in soccer increased, I transitioned over to a more competitive club team at the age of 8 which is where I really found my passion for the game of soccer and the goalkeeper position was introduced to me. I've learned many things about myself over these 13 years of playing soccer like gaining traits of athleticism, humbleness, and becoming disciplined. My ultimate collegiate goals are to advance as a player and have success in tournaments, league games, while building strong bonds with my teammates and coaches. Another goal of mine is to always give my best effort in order to succeed as player and build up my work-ethic to the highest it possibly can be. My main academic goal for college is to strive in school by getting good grades and studying because my purpose is to be a student-athlete, without the good grades soccer is not an option. Obstacles along my journey taught me the importance of putting in the hard work in training while eating healthy to maximize results in practice and games. I possess many unique characteristics as a goalkeeper like being humble, having leadership skills, and my willingness to contribute in whatever is best for the team. Additionally, having respect and sportsmanship for your team and opponents is very important to me because I would want the same in return. Ever since I got introduced to being a goalkeeper at a young age I've gained so much passion for it and I'm very grateful for all the opportunity it gave me as a player in my youth soccer career