Sephora Stouch '25 Recruiting Profile

Hi, my name is Sephora Stouch and I am a junior attending Acton-Boxborough Regional High School. I am currently playing on the 05/06 Scorpions ECNL Regional team and play for Acton-Boxborough. Academically, I want to push myself to be the best that I can be in everything that I do. As of right now, I’m looking into liberal arts schools majoring in Anthropology/Sociology.

 I love the game of soccer. I've loved every minute of it since I started in 3rd grade. Everything from ball skills to playing as a team has taught me that soccer is much more than scoring goals and winning. 

I love that soccer is a team sport. One thing I value very much is deep relationships, and being a team is a huge part of soccer because your team is your family. Everyone has to learn how to work as a team because everything you do on the field has to be a team effort. I am a shy person, and making connections right off the bat is challenging for me, but I'm always willing to put myself out there and get to know people I'll be playing with. The first thing I do at a tryout or if I'm practicing with new players, is learn the names of my defenders. Since I'm a goalkeeper, you must know your teammates, especially the line of defenders right in front of you. I think that players that can make those connections are not only starting that team-building aspect, but they're also making things a little easier so they can perform better. 

I strive to be and respect people that focus on getting better every day. I believe that the tiniest steps forwards are just as important as the big ones, if not more. Those little victories are what fuel you to create those big victories.  If you can learn how to do the simplest thing like catch a ball correctly, you are on the path to doing many great things. The key to achieving those small steps is practice. I know that I'm not going to get it on the first try.  I know I might not get it on the 20th try. But I've learned to be okay with that. I work hard at it. I do it over and over again until I get it.  And once I've got it, I do it over and over again until I can do it 10 times in a row.  You have to have consistency and you have to have the mental toughness to motivate yourself because more times than not, there's not going to be a crowd cheering you on.  I have to do the hard work by myself; taking the small steps, physically pushing myself when I know I have more to give while also mentally pushing myself. The stadiums and crowds get to see the big steps that took self-discipline,  motivation, and sometimes even pain. I'm willing to go above and beyond. I think it’s also important to take steps back sometimes and look at what you’re doing wrong or not quite getting. Stepping back gives you an opportunity to asses yourself and even ask for help because you might not understand something. I'm willing to push myself beyond recognition, to places that I never knew were possible, while pacing myself and asking for help when I need it.