My Soccer Career Essay

I began my soccer career at age three when my mom and dad introduced me to the sport. My dad played it growing up and throughout high school, so they felt I might enjoy the sport. I immediately excelled at soccer and found a love for the game. I enjoyed the running, the fast pace and the thrill of scoring goals. I played co-ed, then moved to recreation soccer until age nine with Hoover Soccer Club. My parents and I discussed competitive soccer, thus at age ten I decided to change clubs and tryout at Vestavia Hills Soccer Club (VHSC). This decision turned out to be a catalyst in my club career. I made the team and began my eight-year competitive career with the Attack 99 Black squad. Our team found success and team chemistry early on

It could be said that we were the club’s most successful girls’ team they’ve ever fielded! It was a tremendous run for our team, coaches and parents. My soccer career was not without hardship and injury. During an out of town Region III game my freshman year of high school, I tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus in my right knee. I was fortunate to be seen at Andrews Sports Medicine and Dr. Lyle Cain performed my ACL reconstructive surgery. After surgery and six months of exhaustive physical therapy, I was cleared to play and resumed playing soccer. Almost two years to the day, while playing in a tournament in South Carolina, I unfortunately tore the ACL and both meniscus in my left knee. Once again Dr. Cain performed a successful ACL reconstructive surgery. I endured another six months of physical therapy and returned to the soccer field. Having experienced the same injury, I was focused and determined to work even harder since I planned to play at an elite level again. Currently, I am now leading my high school team as a senior and 100% healthy. Experiencing these two injuries challenged me both physically and mentally, but taught me that hard work, perseverance and determination will help you