Juliana Maggiora '24 Recruiting Profile

I started playing soccer when I was 5 years old. I was the little kid running in the back of the pack just smiling because I was on the field.  I obviously didn't have skill or any clue what I was doing but by the end of my first season I was recruited to play on a boys team in the nearby Mexican League. I was the only girl on a team with strong skilled players who were all boys. The coached loved my speed and aggressiveness and I quickly became his starting center back.  Our team went on to win several seasons,  I was awarded the leagues best defender award and most of all I developed the love of the game. After a few years playing with all boys, I finally transition to playing club soccer. I played a year up my first season but didn't get much playing time and that drove me to work harder to focus on improving my skills so that I could earn a starting position. I started training with a coach who focused on developing skills and keeping possession by passing the ball around. I went from being a fast and aggressive player to one with skill and knowledge and it clearly improved my game. It took several years of hard work but I can honestly say that I am a very determined person who will always work hard to make sure that I deserve my starting position. I am a small outside back who does not back down to anyone. I love to sneak up behind my marks and steal the ball  from them and take off down the line and create offensive opportunities while making sure I always perform my duties as a defender first. 

My goal is to continue to develop  my game and be the most prepared player so that I can have an opportunity to continue playing soccer  in college. I want to do this not only because I love the game and would love to see how far i can take this but also because I would love to follow in my mom's footsteps and play in college like she did. I will work harder than anyone out there, and always try to improve my game so that I can make my goal my reality. I think the fact that I have experienced a time when I sat the bench and realized the only thing that could help me get playing time was how hard I wanted it will set me aside from others. I love the challenge, I love to push my self to be my best, I love the game of soccer!