Jae Lehman '16 Recruiting Profile

When I started playing soccer at the age of 5, I learned quickly that not only can soccer be a physical game but it is also very mental.  I have finished playing my fourth season of club soccer and my second year of high school soccer; I'm also getting ready to start my third season of high school soccer. I have been working my way up the field in my knowledge of certain positions, how to play them, and where I can be most beneficial to my team at that moment. This allows me to utilize the skills and versatility I've learned from playing every defensive and midfield position. Playing in these positions has enabled me to take on a leadership role and talk to my teammates while on the field about what's coming next.

My biggest strengths come from my ability to look at the whole field, all players, think ahead, execute and anticipate what is going to and what should happen next. I have a strong kick and amazing defensive skills.  My first year of playing up at the U14 level my coach had me take all penalty, off-sides and goal kicks on or closest to our defensive line. He did this because I have equal ability to kick with both my left and right foot. When you spend most of the game kicking with your right foot, it often throws off your opponent when you change and kick with your left. In my junior year, my high school coach had me take all of the goal-kicks and most of the defensive penalty kicks when she put me in a defensive position.

My goal is to keep learning and improving my skills and play soccer for as many years as I can. My biggest dream is to be a member of the Women's National Team as one of the youngest players thus far. Being a 15 year old senior gives me the advantage of learning from, playing with and more than just keeping up with older players. It allows me to increase my skills at a rate that may not have been as fast had I followed a traditional school schedule.

One of the things that often throws my opponents off is my smaller stature. My level of skill and speed is often taken for granted. I think of my size as an advantage for this reason, it allows me to see things differently, cut the corners and find angles to take the ball from my opponents and get the ball back in favor of my team. Soccer is more than just a game, it is a passion and a love. When I am on the field I feel absolutely exhilarated, it's like being in another world, one in which I only hope I give to my teammates and spectators.