Hailey Stein '21 Recruiting Profile

I have played on three club teams in addition to my high school team, and each has taught me something different. My first club team was where I grew up. The experience was exciting, and our team did everything together from travel to Christmas parties. 

After four years of being successful, though, I was unexpectedly injured and had to observe all the practices and games from the sidelines. I went from being a starting player to being a team cheerleader. With this unfamiliar perspective, I jealously watched my teammates’ skills improve and missed the coaches’ attention, the camaraderie of the team, and the chance to even touch a ball. I decided that this was not going to affect me. I concentrated on my physical therapy and put in extra hours. After nearly a year and a half I was released to play. I learned that when I preserved through hard work, I was able to get my confidence and skill set back. I was even able to join a different club team that allowed extensive playing time as a starter.

Although I feared change, I recognized I needed a bigger challenge if I wanted to continue to improve. My sophomore year I tried out for the Texans Elite Club. I lined up with insanely good athletes and took my turn demonstrating skills. When asked to show “the scissors,” I rapidly dribbled the ball to the cone, stepped over the ball while faking my direction, and tapped the ball the opposite way. I coached myself in my head: “Don’t give up!” “Hey, nice pass!” and “Effort!” With heat waves steaming off the ground and absolutely no feedback from the stoned-faced coaches, I began supporting the others with positive comments and took charge as a leader.  Making the Elite Team was the culmination of a year of grueling conditioning and stinging ice baths. However, I learned that it is clearly my responsibility to meet my own goals.

This past March, I was faced with yet another challenge. I tore my ACL in my right knee during a high school varsity game. This injury would have ended my season if COVID-19 had not canceled it. However, this time I found myself on the sidelines during virtual strategy meetings while I completed physical therapy. I was disappointed, but I told myself to get back on track. I kept a positive mindset and encouraged myself to reach my goals. As a result, I will be dual rostered for two elite teams starting this December.

I have learned my experiences on the field have prepared me for new challenges off the field. I use my assertiveness from soccer to rapidly shut down a pool as a lifeguard and my persuasive communication skills to interact with customers as a sales associate. Most importantly, though, soccer has taught me flexibility in new situations, responsibility for my decisions, and the importance of persevering in the face of adversity. As I move on to college and plan to major in Education, I will use my skills shaped by soccer in yet another way.  My new surroundings will be my new home field. I will succeed.