Faith Cardillo '23 Recruiting Profile

In January 2005 I was born two months early and weighed just over three pounds. As I spent the next month in the NICU, I had to fight to overcome several health obstacles. At one point, a hospital error resulted in overdosing me on a medicine that nearly robbed me of my hearing and my kidneys. Through it all, my nurses always marveled at how scrappy and tenacious I was. Even though I couldn't realize it yet, those qualities would follow me through life and eventually carry over to my being a soccer goalie.

Growing up I was adventurous and wanted to try everything. After taking dance classes, I transitioned to Taekwondo and eventually earned my second-degree black belt at ATA. While there I was also part of their leadership program. My mind was constantly working to absorb new things. I learned how to play the violin, world drums, keyboard, and guitar. Before long my Dad was teaching me how to write my songs. Of course, while doing all this, I realized that the thing I loved doing, above all these other things, was playing soccer.

I started playing rec ball when I was four. By the time I was nine, I joined my first club team the Jersey Knights. While primarily a forward, I spent time playing defense and some goals. When I was eleven I became a full-time goalie for the Piscataway Premiere travel team. My coaches saw a fearlessness in my approach to the position and were impressed with my field vision and soccer sense. From that point forward I was a goalie and I never looked back. After playing a few seasons for SFL, I found my true home at Copa FC.

Upon graduating from Middle School, I was awarded Most Outstanding Athlete. My coach described me as, 'an immovable force of nature that knew no obstacles because I just went through them'. I entered Union High School with high expectations and I exceeded them. In 2019, I became the first female, freshman, starting Varsity goalie in the school's history. The 2019 season saw me start every game but one. In my sophomore year, an abbreviated Covid season had me with 5 GA over six Varsity games.

I hope that my years in college will bring me to the next level mentally and physically. As an all honors student in High School, I always pushed myself to be the best. As I pursue my studies in Political Science, I know that the same drive and determination will lead me on a path in Public Service. That desire to help people carries over to my relationship with my teammates. As their goalkeeper, I know I'm the last line of defense and it's my job to help them perform at their best. My team is my family and together we represent the name/logo on our jerseys both on and off the field. I've always seen myself as a leader and I look forward to continuing that role in college.