The Real Soccer Challenge

by Brittany
(Florida)

Soccer was never really an interest to me until mu eighth grade year when the soccer coach from the high school came over and told me personally that he could use my speed out one the field. Now, track has always been a personal favorite of mine, so when he told me he needed my speed, I was all for it.

My freshman I started right wing on the Varsity soccer team at my high school. My freshman year was the also the year my high school ever had a winning season for women’s varsity soccer. At the beginning of my sophomore year, I had to have major hip surgery done on both my left and right hips. I was in a wheelchair for a few weeks and on crutches for a few as well.

My coach didn’t want me to consider playing at first because he did not want to put me at risk of getting hurt and having to have another surgery. Outside of practice I would go home and practice skills by myself and at practice I would sit on the bench and pout because he would not let me play.

The week before our season opener I pulled my coach aside and told him I wanted to play and I would do whatever it took. Hesitating, he gave me the opportunity to practice with everybody else. Proving myself worthy, he allowed me to start right wing once again. I am now a senior and I have been starting on varsity soccer ever since.