Hillary Noakes '18 Recruiting Profile

My whole life it's been a dream to continue to play competitive soccer at the college level.  Since my first touch of the ball at age five, I have loved and lived for this sport. When I step on the field, instinct kicks in and it's just me, the ball, and the goal. I love the energy and working as a team to win. Going into the game with everything you have and playing your hardest to watch that ball hit the back of the net makes all the long hours of practicing and training worth it. I aspire to be the best player and teammate I can be. I am experienced, determined, fast, strong, confident, and can cause panic to the other team when they see what I can do. Not only do I aspire to play soccer in college and even possibly go professional, but I aspire to become a surgeon someday and help others.  In December 2013, a slide tackle from the goalie on the opposing team in an indoor game resulted in a complete break of my lower right leg, just above the growth plate. The pain of the unsurety of my recovery was as bad as the pain of the injury! I knew then that I needed to do whatever it takes to come back to play even stronger, and I did. My orthopedic surgeon set my leg perfectly and because of the location of the break, my leg would heal and become even stronger than before! Those few months of recovery and training were a test of my perseverance and a testament to my core love and dedication to the game and to my team. It also resulted in my desire to help others heal someday.  Along with this experience,  my volunteer work with different organizations such as special olympics, acting as captain of my club soccer team and just being a big sister to four siblings gives me a strong sense of compassion and leadership. Academics and high achievement has always been important, but soccer will always have that special place in my heart.