Lessons From the Field

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”]Soccer has been an integral part of my life.  I was – and still am – a tough player.  My coaches nicknamed me “Evil Jay,” since I would pretty much do anything to get that soccer ball away from my opponents.  Although I was never captain, I took pride in being a leader on the field.  I communicated often and loudly.  I had good tactical vision and my touch was decent.  When I look back at all those years of soccer, what I remember the most is not the wins or losses (well  I do remember winning the Washington State Cup Finals my senior year!), but what the sport did for me personally.  I became a stronger leader thanks to the sport.  My energy was focused and goal-oriented, and I definitely learned time management.  Teamwork taught me lessons that I would have never learned as an only child.  Most importantly, soccer gave me an outlet.  It allowed me to play away all my negative feelings and let everything go (my apologies to those who felt the blows as result of this!). Above all, soccer kept me out of trouble. Without it, I’m not sure where I would be today.

When I was 8 years, I convinced my mom to stop enrolling me in ballet.  It was not my thing.  Around the same time, someone suggested to her that sports would be a good outlet for all my energy.  She registered me for my first and only AYSO year!  Thus began my world of soccer.

The following year, I made the Eastside F.C. (Football Club) Stars club team.  We traveled across the U.S. and even to Europe to play soccer.  My teammates and I spent much of our free time together, as many of us also played on the District and State Olympic Development Program (ODP) teams.  I went on to play for Washington Soccer Club, Mercer Island High School Varsity, and at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington for a year in college.  Recently, I’ve played in the womens’ Torrance league and with my family on the beach.  I also had the opportunity to coach a girls U-14 team a few years ago, and I have a feeling I was paid back for a bit of my own youthf