A Goal to Remember

November 2, 2013

(Written during my senior year of high school)

As the ball came closer and closer my heart beat faster and faster. I was in the right place at the right time...”swoosh”; that was the sound of my shot landing in the goal. I had done it; I got my first goal. I had been waiting for this moment for so long.

I have worked hard to become a better player and imagined one day scoring a goal. Soccer is my passion and I couldn’t live without it. After a long day with a rigorous academic schedule, most people want to go right home and relax. For me it is the opposite, every day I look forward to soccer. Whether it is a game or a practice, I’m always in the mood to play. Soccer is an exhilarating, stress relieving experience. It helps me to let go of any troubles or problems and just enjoy doing what I love the most. Playing sports has taught me many valuable qualities such as hard work, determination and an unwillingness to give up. I am determined to succeed.

I have always had a love for sports since I was very young. I first started playing soccer back when I was only in kindergarten. Because I liked wearing the uniform much better than getting kicked in the shins or running up and down the field, I did not last long. I tried other activities, as most girls did, including dance class, girl scouts and music lessons.

When I was 12, I found soccer again. My passion for the game was born...I distinctly remember overhearing my friends talking about going to the New England Revolution game. I became interested in what they were talking about, and I wanted to go too. I soon joined the local soccer league and continued on to play in middle school and then at the high school level.

As a junior in high school, I had achieved one my greatest accomplishments. Sturgis West was playing South Shore Christian Academy at our home field in Yarmouth. Just after halftime we were up 1-0; it was a corner kick down on our end. I was right by the far goal post waiting for my chance to land one in the net. My friend Norway took the kick and I was there to land the ball in the net. I was ecstatic, as my teammates all congratulated me.

A few minutes later, a substitute player came in for me, and as I ran off the field I could not wipe the grin off my face. When I reached the sidelines I gave my coach, Ms. Weimer the biggest hug. I was so overjoyed and I had to thank her for everything she had done over the past two years to make me the player I am today. Soccer is my passion because I enjoy everything about it, playing it, watching it, and the overwhelming sense of accomplishment.

Through soccer, I have developed confidence in myself and I learned that the way to achieve success is through hard work. Every day I have learned about teamwork and commitment through my involvement in soccer.

One of my favorite times during the soccer season is making the trip to Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard for the day. Spending the day on the islands gives us all a great opportunity to bond and get to know each other even better. Over the past years, my soccer team has become a family. Knowing that you can count on each other is what I love most about being part of the Sturgis Soccer Team.

As I am becoming a confident young adult, I am realizing many of the qualities defining my character have been nurtured through the lessons I have learned playing soccer. This season I am facing many new challenges and learning even greater lessons as I cheer my team from the bench, sidelined with two fractured bones in my leg. Learning that life doesn’t always go as expected has made me even more determined; I will be back out on the field soon.