BLOCKING OUT THE NOISE

Most people start soccer when they’re young. Four, maybe five, but their parents sign them up and it clicks. For me, it was a little different.  

I didn’t start playing until I was 11. From there I played recreation until I was 15. It was never something I thought could amount to me playing in college, it was simply for fun and to follow in the footsteps of my cousin.

I played my first year of travel club soccer at 15, the age most people were already looking into playing collegiately.  

Growing up, I did whatever my cousin did. Wherever he went, I was a few steps behind. He played flag football, so I joined. He started rec soccer, so I figured why not. That trend continued, going to club soccer, even if we were on different levels.  

We traveled together, trained together, and played together. Without him, I don’t think I would have gotten into soccer, let alone accomplish all the things I have.  

While I am so grateful for my cousin getting me into soccer, I would be wrong to not mention my dad who tried to get me to watch games for years. Even with soccer being something that surrounded me, I had no interest until middle school which brought some challenges.

I tried out for the team in sixth grade. Didn’t make it.  

I tried out again in seventh grade. Didn’t make it.  

I tried my final time in eighth grade. Didn’t make it.  

I tried in ninth grade. I finally made it.

I didn’t let those moments set me back, even if there was a lot of noise from classmates teasing me for not making it. People are always going to have an opinion, at some point blocking them out becomes necessary. It is all just background but if you push it aside, you can accomplish your goals.   

Come junior year, I was the leading goal-scorer in the conference. Then again senior year. I went from not making a middle school team to graduating Player of the Year in my district.  Despite the doubts, I did it. 

Even though the other kids were miles ahead of me technically when it started, I kept myself focused. Once I figured out that was key, I was training at every moment I could. I remember one summer being so set on improving, so much so that I could constantly be found doing dribbling drills and working on my game. As I took it more seriously, I realized I had potential. I was fast, I was putting in the work, I was doing drills, and I was shocking everyone around me who doubted I could do it.

Those moments, where I could see the doubt or hear the voices telling me I wasn’t good enough were such core learning moments. Don't let people try to stop you from doing what you want to do because at the end of the day if you put your mind to it, you can do it. 

When senior year came around, I decided one way or another, I was going to play D1. It wasn’t a straight shot to get there but I eventually did.  

When I graduated, I ended up at a Junior College for two years because I was so focused on soccer at points that my grades slipped. What goes on in the classroom is just as important as what happens on the field. During my first year, I was injured and then COVID shut things down for my second year.  

At that point, I questioned where my soccer journey was going to go. Was it over?   

Without soccer, I didn’t know what to do. I played over the summer and got clips so I could try to transfer. I ultimately ended up transferring to the University of Central Arkansas where I did not see the field once. I had to play a new position just to get the coach to look at me.

Once the season ended, I wasn’t sure what to do. I knew I could not stay in an environment that did not support me, but did I want to transfer again? 

I decided soccer was it for me, so I gathered my clips and started emailing. I sent out emails to almost every program I could think of, just hoping I could keep playing.  

I told myself, I was just going to keep playing and stay ready, and then when the transfer window opened, I was going to leave and find a better spot for myself. And that's what I did.  

It's a lot more fun to play. I feel seen and supported which has boosted my confidence on and off the field. I’ve been playing a new position as a center-backback, but it is still exciting because the whole team is always cheering everyone on. Even now, after playing for many years, I still have nerves before games but being at Southern Indiana, they’re good nerves.  

Learning as much as I can during my college career has been so important. At the end of the day, I'm a winger at heart, but now I'm center back and it is just two completely different things. But just being there on the field and being involved is amazing to me because I haven't always had that experience. 

When it comes to transferring, getting recruited, or finding the right fit for you, it can be a tricky process. But know your skill, be confident in that, and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.  

For me, I used social media to get people interested in me. I figured if I didn’t have all the clips, I could at least make a name for myself.  

I posted videos of me juggling a soccer ball while rollerskating 

I emailed coaches a lot.  

I didn’t let the rejections steer me away.  

I stayed focused and kept my joy.  

Finding joy in the game is crucial.  

That joy is going to allow you to keep going even when others are trying to stop your path. Know your path, it may be bumpy, but you will get exactly where you want to be.