Rachel Natsume '14 Recruiting Profile

Hi, my name is Rachel Natsume. I have been playing soccer for as long as I can remember (almost 11 years) and still love it just as much as the first time I played. I have grown with my team to become a better player on the field as well as a better person off the field. My club team, Crown City United GU17 Silver Elite North, just finished wrapping up an undefeated season in the Coast Soccer League. I am excited to move to an ever-increasing competitive league this coming fall and the numerous high-competition tournaments this coming spring.

I just wrapped up my junior year at Gabrielino High School and will graduate the spring of 2014. If anything, balancing my active soccer life and school has benefitted me more than I thought it might. I am excelling in school and growing as a player on the field. I am in the top 5% of my class. For the fall semester this past school year I had a 4.13 weighted GPA (out of 4.22) and plan to take on an even more rigorous schedule my senior year. Ever since my freshman year, I have been a scholar athlete on the varsity soccer team. I am also a starting full back. This winter high school season, as captain, I led my team to our first CIF Semi-Finals round. I am immensely proud of my teammates and our progress as a team. I was recognized as First Team-All Conference, First Team-All League (Mission Valley League), and Second Team All-Area (County of LA). Also, I achieved the Best Defensive Player on my team.

Also, during the fall club season, I play for my high school’s Varsity Girls Golf team. This past year I was captain and was proud to lead my team to an ever-improving league season. We made it to our first CIF golf tournament. Also, for the past two spring club seasons, I played JV Softball (and moved up to Varsity for two consecutive CIF round one games). However, this spring season, I joined track and am participating in the Varsity Long Jump, Triple Jump, and High Jump. Even though my schedule is pretty busy, I enjoy the challenge of balancing my athletic life and school life.

Recently, I have participated in several camps and showcases. On January 26, I attended the GSI Showcase Clinic. I enjoyed playing with such intense competition that it encouraged me to play to the best of my abilities in front of college coaches. Also, from March 15-17, I played in the Las Vegas Players Showcase. I felt that the tournament was beneficial in allowing me to showcase my talents in front of prospective colleges. I played to the best of my abilities and could have asked for no better opportunity than I was given.

I believe I have the skills and attitude imperative to play competitively at the collegiate level. My strong foot is my right, but I can just as easily cross a ball with my left and comfortably dribble down the line with my left. After all, I do play left full back (or either outside full back position) and have much experience holding as a center full back. However, what I enjoy most about the game is playing up and down the line and making significant crosses to the weak side. Also, I am an aggressive player that is ever-willing to retrieve and posses the ball.

Every game I look forward to playing a great game of soccer. Nothing is more fun than playing competitive soccer. I don’t know what I would do without my game because soccer has been such a significant part of my life for as long as I can remember. I am determined to play at the collegiate level because I love the idea of playing at such a highly competitive level of soccer. There is nothing more I would rather do than be able to contribute to a team and participate in such a challenging atmosphere. I love soccer.