Life On The Field (PB)

Whether it's playing outside in the rain, sleet, snow, or sunshine I will always enjoy playing the sport I love the most, soccer. Everyone can have their own favorite sport they like more than the other but soccer has so many wonderful reasons to why it is considered my all-time favorite sport. I have been playing soccer since I was about seven-eight years old and, from then, have been improving my overall skills as a player and a teammate. Soccer just isn't my favorite sport (and the only sport I currently play right now), it is my number one passion, too. It has made such a huge impact in my life and has bettered me as a person in every way possible. A sport can be more than just a hobby.

Soccer was challenging for me when I was younger because as I grew up the only sports I ever tried to play dealt with hand-coordination, not feet. I was involved in softball, volleyball, bowling, and even attempted cheer-leading. Yes, all of those sports were fun to play every now and then; however, none of them seemed to really grasp my full attention and I eventually quit all of them. That was until my friends formed a fun little soccer team. They had asked me to join the team and knowing me, being the athletic type that I am, I said why not. I was scared at first but later on I came to love the sport. The energy being brought all through-out your body, the excitement when receiving the ball, and the cheering for doing something well was unbelievable. 

Later on as the years went by I stuck with soccer and did everything I could to improve my skills and become a better player. I played on many different teams in a short period of time, went to training camps, and eventually joined a club travel team. Joining the travel team allowed me to travel to different areas to play different teams from different states, which also allowed me to learn the skills of other players and use them to my advantage. Soccer has taught me so much that I probably only know half of the lessons brought to my attention. 

As high school was quickly approaching I knew that high school soccer was coming up, too. When I first knew soccer was the sport for me, my goal was to make the varsity team as a freshman to show people what I was capable of doing. My hard work had eventually payed off as I had made the team and became one out of the eleven starters for the Lakeview Girls Varsity Soccer Team. It was a dream come true, to know that I was able to accomplish my number one goal. Being apart of this team built up my character positively. Playing soccer has helped me to communicate more, on and off the field. Also, I have been able to stay in shape year-round because of the extreme exercising and drills being done at practices. I have been able to smile and laugh more after becoming apart of another family that shares the same goals as I do. Knowing there is someone who knows where you're coming from and knows what you want makes it so much easier to feel comfortable around everyone else, to be yourself. 

Not only does soccer help with staying in shape but it allows to show what kind of person you are. You can be a striker, mid-fielder, defender, or a goal-keeper. All of different strengths and weaknesses. Soccer allows you to show your personality by kicking a ball at your feet. It may sound silly and a bit ridiculous, but being on a field can clear your mind from anything; all you have is the open goal and a ball. Your goal is to focus only on the ball. Having this concentration relieves you from any stress or bad thoughts you once had, all of it is now forgotten about. 

Soccer can be a very passionate sport. You're able to be yourself, show off your talents, and make plenty of new friends. I can very well say that soccer has changed my life for the better. I have never loved a sport more than I love soccer today. It has and always will be my number one favorite sport. When I step onto the field my mind goes blank, all voices and all thoughts are gone, I'm relaxed and no one can change that. I am proud of calling soccer my passion because it allowed for me to be where I am now, a third year starter for the varsity team going on to my fourth and final year as a senior captain. I thank soccer for giving me the chance to experience this life-changing journey.