I am a junior in high school and have played soccer since I was four years old. I have been playing competitively since second grade, when I joined the Chicago Blast Soccer Club. The Chicago Blast was a great club for team building and my coach there made it really fun to play the game. However, that club wasn't the most competitive, in terms of the DA and MRL leagues I was competing in, but it did teach me some important life skills. I played with kids from all over the Chicagoland area and we all bonded over a common goal of playing soccer. We were a family, even though we all came from different backgrounds. Everyone supported each other and we were determined to make the team the best it could be, rather than playing for ourselves. In eighth grade, I moved to a more competitive club (LTSC). In my time at LTSC we have made it to second in state, this past season we won our Midwest Regional League. LTSC gives me exactly what I was missing at Chicago Blast. They have focused on all aspects of the game and built up my technical skills, along with a greater knowledge of the game. All of this training led me to be the captain of my Freshman team at Hinsdale Central High School. There was a roster of twenty-two girls and my coach believed that I was the most fit person to lead the team, not only by my words, but also by my actions on and off the field. I also believe that I am the hardest working player on every team I play for and that I push my teammates to be the best they can be. I think that teammates should always be encouraging, however a little competition on the team can push players to worker harder. I know for myself, that if I hear a teammate has been going on two mile runs everyday over break, I take it upon myself to do three mile runs. I am a team player and have fit into all of the teams I have been on, whether it was one of the various soccer clubs, my basketball team, or even my volleyball team. As far as school goes I challenge myself greatly. Growing up I would try and go outside to kick a soccer ball around and you can't even imagine the amount of times I have heard, "School has to come before soccer Maggie! Come inside and do homework!" from my parents. With that being said, I do take my study's very seriously. My parents have never had to push me with regard to homework or grades because they know I am even harder on myself than they could ever be. My goal is to attend a school that is both academically and athletically competitive.
