My Love For Soccer, My True Love : My Life

Ever since I could remember, soccer had been in my life. If there was a soccer team that needed a coach, my father was always the first to volunteer. There were almost too many strenuous weekends spent hours away from home for soccer tournaments to count. My entire family, consisting of my parents, my siblings, my dog, and myself, packed in a mini-van heading to a city that I had never heard of for soccer games. But when I entered high school, all that would soon go away. I kept playing the same sport that I always had, although now I had to wake up at five in the morning for six hours of high school soccer practice in the smoldering summer heat in order to make the high school team. High School sports were more competitive than anything I had done before. I put in as much effort as I could to make the Varsity High School team, staying out past dinner to practice even longer. I was utterly divulged in soccer and trying to be the best I could be. Soon, I would regret placing a game over spending time with my family.

I was excited for a new beginning in my career, maybe to prepare me for high school in the upcoming years. The idea of beating boys in soccer got me excited, my blood pumping harder through my veins and put an extra spring in my step. It was the first practice of our middle school season, where my life would be turned upside down. I ran down the field as normal, going for another shot on goal, but out of nowhere one of boys came from behind and completely took out my knee, causing me to collapse in pain. Lying down on the field, my sanctuary, the place I saw as home was probably the most grueling time of my life. Injuries were common in my life, but this injury was unlike any other. I could not get up off the field and felt as if there was nothing left in my knee, and every time I tried to get up, I fell right back down. I never sat out a practice until that night and figured one day would be enough. One night was clearly not enough, I was never able to catch back up to my full speed, or be able to cut around the field, which resulted in moving positions from forward, to defense to cut back on the running. I thought this would a temporary position, but I played every game in

I have played soccer continuously from age 3 to 18. Four years ago, I tore my right ACL. I endured surgery and 6 months of physical therapy, then almost 2 years later to the day, I was told the same fate again. I had torn the ACL in my left knee this time. Why did this awful injury have to strike me twice? Once again, I endured the months of rehabilitation and soon returned to the field. Having to go through this twice as a teen taught me that perseverance and determination will help you achieve what you want in life. Even though I spent almost 2 years away from the field, I still made every effort to be there for my teammates. Some days I didn’t want to get out of bed because of the pain, I didn’t want to go to therapy, and I wanted to quit.

September 13, 2014, it was my fourth official varsity soccer game as a freshman and I was starting. I was put on outside wing, defending one of the strongest seniors Horseheads High School had and I was nothing but confident and motivated. All of the sudden I hear a few pops and a crack and I was on the ground and was unable to move my right leg. Complete shock filled my body and I did not know how to react; my older sister and my coach flashed in front of my eyes and I could not comprehend what was happening. Later that week I was told I had torn my ACL and I would be out of soccer for approximately six months.

At the age of ten I was the most energetic, go-lucky, confident girl. I excelled at my beloved sport, soccer. I had been playing since I was just a mere five years old, far longer than the other girls. Playing so long had helped me be at a higher level of skill than most of the other players on my team.

Soccer is the most played sport worldwide, many people love it and I’m one of them, it is my favorite sport because you can improve your skills with your feet, and get a lot of exercise. By writing this essay, I hope that I can provide more information about the sport and maybe convert the people who dislike the sport into fans.

Up until two years ago I had no idea what I was going to study in college let alone where I wanted to go. All I knew was that wherever I ended up I wanted to pursue playing the sport I love at a very competitive level. Tearing my ACL has allowed me to realise that I do not need to play soccer in college but that, I can seek a career in the sport by educating kids on how to prevent a major injury such as a ACL tear.

I am extremely grateful for this because soccer has impacted my life immensely. I can honestly say that soccer has pushed my life forward in a positive direction. It taught me how to be competitive, hard-working, and how to deal with people I necessarily didn't agree with or care for. That competitiveness that I first learned at the ripe age of four is something that has carried on into other aspects of my life including my education. I always want to have the highest grade in the class and if that’s not possible than the highest grade that I can get. This previously mentioned competitiveness on the field and in the classroom translates into hard work. Dealing with people I don't get along with isn't something that I am the best at, but I have been working on it. I am not always going to like my boss or coach, but I am not going to be able to change that. I can think of a few examples where I have gotten into an argument with someone who I definitely shouldn’t have been disrespecting and as I look back I feel foolish and that helps me deal with similar situations that I currently

Everyone has that certain thing that makes them who they are. That certain thing for me is soccer. It’s my hobby, my biggest interest, and my passion. Soccer isn’t just a sport for me, it’s my life. It has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I have played the intriguing game of soccer since I was four years old, and I have loved it ever since.

Everyone has that one special thing. The thing that is comfortable and familiar. The thing that makes every problem, worry, and doubt go away. My thing is soccer. I cannot recall a time in my life where I didn’t have a ball at my feet. Soccer has been a major part of my life ever since I was born. From attending my first soccer game at the young age of one month, playing my first soccer game when I was two years old, and still playing to this day, it is safe to say that soccer has taken over my life.

It was the last game of the day playing right mid I kicked the ball and felt the most excruciating pain I had to be taken out. I went home iced and stretched it, I was sore the next day and did not feel any pain at all. I relaxed all sunday and went back to practice on Monday the pain was still there. I still kept playing dealing with the pain then season came it was the first game I played field again because I guess my coaches thought I was really good at it. I got taken out the last ten minutes of the first half the trainer had to come ice and roll out my leg.

Hearing the pop of my knee was the last sound I wanted to hear while kicking a soccer ball during tryouts junior year. I fell straight to the ground, and knew instantly something was terribly wrong. To this day, I recall how heartbroken I was when I heard the news that I tore my ACL, and I never thought it could happen to me. Just the thought of not playing sports that year was emotionally difficult because sports have always been a part of my life. I could not imagine a year without participating in athletics, however at the time I did not know it could have a positive impact on me.

As many know, I had surgery this past week. Surgery is extremely rough, especially for those who have been constantly battling their problem. My knee has been a mystery for my doctor for over two years and I can not fathom why this crazy mishap happened to me of all people.These last two years have been the worst years of my life due to unexpected illnesses and surgeries.

This time, unfortunately with time the pains in my leg got worse and I could not go on and keep pushing myself anymore because it hurt so bad with every step I took, on and off the court. I went to the trainer's room one day after practice to get it checked out, and he told me some stretches to do for shin splints. I did them for a week or two but noticed that the pain continued to get worse. So finally my mom made a doctors appointment to see a orthopedic doctor. When I went to the doctor, I had to get an XRay to see if they could tell if anything was broken in my leg. Meanwhile after I left the X Ray room the doctor talked to me and was asking questions and said I can’t play until we find out what is wrong. A few days later the X ray came back and nothing showed any type of break on it. So they made me an appointment to get a MRI a week later. When they got the MRI results back, turns out I had a stress fracture in my tibia. That meant I was out for a

As I sat there and let the doctor examine my knee and diagnosis me with a “left knee sprain”. I started to cry. I already knew the outcome that I had a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament). I tried to continue to play on it until one time I was playing in a tournament, and I went up to block a girls shot and landed on my