Aleksia Wilson '23 Recruiting Profile

I have participated in multiple sports outside soccer throughout my life; ballet, track, cheer. However, soccer has been a constant companion since kindergarten when I joined my neighborhood recreational soccer team. Prior to soccer, I started ballet at 3 years old and continued to dance several days a week through 5th grade. Starting in 6th grade, I swapped out ballet for club soccer (Emerald City FC). During middle school I also played on an indoor rec team in winter seasons (composed of friends who play for different clubs in Seattle). I continue to play on 4 soccer teams today.

I had several setbacks for club soccer: 1) my mom had brain surgery at the end of April 2021 so I couldn’t participate in away matches prior due to Covid risk; 2) I missed 1 practice per week for drivers education so I could drive my mom after her surgery; 3) I was injured at the time of tryouts in May. As a result, I was moved down from ECFC Green F05 team to ECFC White F05 team. It served as a reminder that I needed to focus and work harder. I spent the summer of 2021 in physical therapy while training with my high school team and ECFC White F05. By end of summer, I was ready to play on a team that would challenge me even more and set my sights on Surf Academy. At the end of August when I received a callback for Surf, I began practicing with one of my club’s boys teams (ECFC M04 white) while simultaneously playing girls high school soccer. The extra hard work paid off and I was added to the Surf Academy G05 roster. After high school season ended, I continue practicing with the boys team and ECFC F05 White. My indoor team started up after high school soccer season, this time coed (Nov-Feb). Not only was I able to return to participating on four soccer teams throughout the year (ECFC F05 White, ECFC M04/M05 White, WPL Surf Academy, & an indoor team), I am now also in the process of earning my E Level coaching license under the guidance of the coaches in my club working with the F11 & F13/14/15 teams. In Fall 2022, I became a full-time member of ECFC M04/05 participating in practices and as a starter in league games. I continue to play on ECFC F05/06 Green as a starter and participate in tournaments with my WPL Surf Academy G05 team.

Soccer is something I am passionate about. The break during covid taught me that soccer is important to me. I play because I enjoy the challenges of the sport and the team comradery. Playing collegiate soccer will provide experiences I think beneficial to me, as a player and a person.

I am currently attending college and playing/training with Richmond International Academic & Soccer Academy in Leeds, UK, Barnsley FC Women’s first team, and playing on the Barnsley FC Ladies Development team, frequently as a starter in the outside back position. I enjoy the soccer side of my school, have a fantastic coach, and grew tremendously as a player both in skill and confidence that comes from playing on a team that is linked to a professional club. However, I would like to change my major from International Sports Management to a degree in the STEM field, which my current college does not offer. This is my first year without any science classes and I have discovered that I miss this aspect of my education the most. My year in Leeds has been a year of growth.