I believe in being the best in everything I do both physically and academically. I am always one of the first on the field and definitely the last to leave it. I stay after practice to continue on with teammates even if it is just one other player for just that little extra. Academically I challenge myself by taking Honors and AP courses, by joining the chess club and by learning in my free time how to build my own computer. In college, I look forward to studying engineering at an elite university program and continuing to challenge myself in new ways.
What makes me a great goalkeeper is that I like to think three moves ahead. Just like when I am playing chess, I need to know what the attacker is going to do, what their next move will be. Will they pass, are they just dancing with their feet/ball, or are they are about to strike. This strategy and analysis of the game helps me predict how to defend.
This past year I broke my finger while warming up prior to a game with my high school team. I stayed during the game to support my teammates. As a leader of a team, it is important to always show good team spirit no matter what your own circumstances. Staying and cheering on my teammates even though I was in pain showed my team they were important. After surgery to correct the break, I insisted on being at the senior night game the same day to support the graduating seniors. Even though I was not going to be able to play, I wanted the team to know I was there for them. It is my dedication and loyalty to my team that I possess that will always drive me to work hard and overcome any obstacle to be there for them. Now that my finger is fully healed and I am back to 100%, my teammates and I work together to win every game we can!
Coaches description: “Great attitude and a pleasure to work with at camp. Matthew brings energy to every session. His knowledge of the game and work ethic stand out. His awareness on the field and technical skills help him create opportunities for teammates...” Coach Antoniewicz of Coker College Friday, April 02, 2021 Exact Sports Showcase.
Statistic | 2020 Varsity Team | 2020 WAKE FOOTBA |
---|---|---|
Shutouts | 1 | 0 |
Goals | 0 | |
Assists | 0 | |
Shots on Goal | 0 | |
Games Played | 4 | |
Total Saves | 17 | |
Goals Against Avg. | 1.25 | |
Saves % | 71% |