Valentina Fernandez '20 Recruiting Profile

A girl with a dream. That is all that I had 2 years ago when I knew I wanted soccer to be my main sport. I had been a golfer my whole life,  always wanting to play soccer but my parents did not allow me to. It's definitely hard when you want to pursue a passion but you do not have support from anywhere.  In December 2016, I was finally able to convince my parents to enroll me in club soccer, a step I knew was going to make a difference in my soccer career. You may look at my "late start in the sport" as a disadvantage, but I definitely see it as a trait that makes me stand out. With only 1 year in club soccer, I have led my team to a school final and club finals, as well as received a PRHSAA All Star Recognition.  I have advanced my soccer technique, tactical skills, and team spirit.

My drive to get better everyday steers my work ethic, commitment, and passion in other areas of my life besides soccer.  Thanks to the sport and school, my character has been shaped in an unimaginable way. From a shy girl to a leader in school, I credit my coaches and teachers for the formation of my self.  School has taught me way more than the Civil Rights Movement; the Roman Empire; the quadratic formula; orbital notation; Henry's Law... It has taught me that with enthusiasm and interest you can reach anywhere you want to go.

I aspire to play college soccer because I want to have the thing I am most passionate about present in my college life. I want to show everybody out there that just because I did not start playing at 5 years of age or did not have support at first, I fought for what I wanted and reached my most important milestone. I want to improve and be the best, no matter how many practice hours it takes. Moreover, I believe life is shaped of experiences. One's events in life shape that person. I hope to continue my soccer career as a collegiate athlete and play the game I love the most for as long as I can.