Erika Wells '23 Recruiting Profile

The five words I think most coaches or people that really know me would use to describe me: gritty, selfless, hardworking/driven, competitive, and coachable.

I pride myself in my coach-ability, work ethic, passion and drive to be the best.  The common theme I have heard from my coaches and I am most proud of is that I will not be out worked or out hustled on the field either at practice or in a game; I will always take instructions and make corrections and I will give it my all 100% of the time.

I became interested in soccer at the young age of three when my parents put me on a YMCA team. I can still remember to this day the great feelings that would rush over me when I would get into a beehive of kids and was able to come out with the ball and go straight to the goal.   I still get that same high feeling today as I pass by an opponent on the field to advance the ball to one of my teammates, or when I get an A on a hard honors math or science test.  

 I also remember my first club coach in 2013 (U9) telling me that I had a drive and vision that you just cannot teach and if I work hard I can be a great player.  Since that day, his statement has resonated with me and I have developed a love and passion for the game.  I also know that if I want to get better it will not happen by itself, it will happen by the countless hours of work that I must put in on my own time away from practice.  There are two examples that stand out for me in working hard.  At the start of my U10 season, I was only able to do 10-20 juggles so I worked every day after finishing my homework and practiced until I could do over 100 juggles.  I remember the surprise on my coach’s face when I demonstrated how I had improved so quickly.  That same coach told me that I needed to work on my left foot, because in order to be a great soccer player, I had to be able to use both feet.  I pride myself today that I have had several coaches ask me if I was left footed when they first saw me play because I have worked so hard to be able to use both feet. 

My soccer success has not been without its setbacks, and that has made me more mature and stronger so that I can deal with challenges.  I have learned that I can overcome any obstacles and be successful.   I know that it is my attitude and will that will determine my success.  For several years, I was over looked for top club teams.  Being over looked by those coaches, gave me the initiative and drive to prove that I belonged on a top team and that I could compete with anyone.  I also kept perspective that my goals were not about the here and now and what team I was on, but about improving and to reach my college soccer and academic aspirations.  I am happy to say that my hard work and continued extra trainings has started to pay off as I have made my high school varsity soccer team as a freshman, and am starting and I am now playing for a top club ECNL team.  I am still far from my ultimate goal of playing in college, but I continue to grow closer towards that goal every day.  I know that success is in my control by focusing on my academics and soccer to be the best I can be, every day.

My academic goal is to graduate high school with an honors diploma and be accepted into the right college for me so that I can play soccer and study a health related major. My academic goals for college is to successfully complete my degree in 4 years with distinction and have a good school/life balance.  I am confident that the time management skills I have acquired and my work ethic will allow me to balance being a college soccer player as well as achieving academic success in the classroom.   

 If I am the right soccer and academic player for your college, I promise that I will not let you down on or off the field.

Erika Wells