Personal Narrative: Traveling Soccer

Growing up in a house with all boys in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, I was taught to be tough and injuries were very common but easily shaken off. When it came to sports, I would put all my time and effort into one thing: soccer. Soccer was always a true passion of mine; as a matter of fact, it was more of a lifestyle than just a sport. I would spend weekends traveling around my local area playing the game I loved with people I enjoyed being with. My teammates became like my second family after countless seasons and we did almost everything together off the soccer field. The idea of putting on my jersey and lacing up my cleats was a moment I would not trade for the world and something I would never take for granted.

“BZZZZ” The timer went off. “I SCORED I SCORED” I said very happy. All of my teammates were so happy for me.

I was getting of the bus at Pike High School to start my high school soccer career. I remember being extremely excited and happy to finally get the season started. The team stepped off the bus and formed two lines to walk to the fields to warm up. I began my warm up feeling fresh. I got plenty of sleep the night before and I was not too nervous.

Growing up I had focused on competitive soccer. Soccer challenged me both physically and mentally and I learned to love these demands on the field. These challenges helped me foster a self-confidence in myself when it came to athletics. When I fractured my tibia playing against my rival high school, sending my knee cap into my thigh, I was faced with a new test. The sport that I loved was taken away from me for an extended period of time and it took away part of my identity. Who was I without soccer?

My life revolves around 3 important things that keep me going everyday, family, soccer, and fashion . My family is very important to me because I know that no matter what happens they will always have my back. My family follows loyalty because we feel as if nobody should be left behind. I remember the day I came home to my parents arguing which led to my mother packing all our stuff to get out the house as soon as possible which was all so scary and confusing to me. We then just drove around and parked in front of a church to see how the night would end. As I was growing up, I had to learn to mature quicker not because I wanted to but because I had to. I had to leave me childhood fun to help my mother and siblings find brighter days. The day I remember I had to be the man of the house because someone who had that job before me couldn't handle it. I learned to not rely on everyone all the time because when you need them the most they won't be there. My parents divorced at a young age right before my little sister was born which all happened so quick for me however since that day I will never forget because it changed my life in a blink of an eye. Within time I learned it was for the best and it only made me wiser because I knew the mistakes and I

The first time I ever touched the ball was in third grade. Our little legs and bodies would stumble throughout the whole field, thinking anytime we would get the ball in the air we were Lionel Messi.

I have known it for fifteen years. For fifteen years I have lived, breathed, and marveled at it. I am only eighteen years old meaning it has taken up almost all of my life. I know nothing else but this, and it is soccer. Soccer has been my lifestyle ever since I was able to walk and it has been what keeps me going and keeps me motivated in life. Soccer has made me who I am today and has taught me almost everything I have ever needed to know.

I have been playing soccer since the age of 3, and I fell in love with the sport as soon as I felt my foot impact the beauty of the ball. All through my childhood, soccer was my life, it was my passion, and I couldn't go a day without playing. From playing at lunch time on the concrete floor with my friends and getting all sweaty in our gray preppy uniforms, to playing on the school

I grew up with a love towards sports. Sure I started off in ballet and gymnastics but one day my best friend told me I should play soccer with her. So of course I begged my mom to let me do another sport. Little did I know soccer would have such a big impact on my life. I started off with playing recreational league soccer. My first coach, was my softball coach, and he decided I would be a perfect forward. As the years went on and I got a different coach my position changed. I went from a forward to a midfielder then finally a defender.

Walking out on the field clothed in full confidence, I have no doubt in my mind that our team will perform to our fullest potential. As a team captain, fear is something that I keep locked away in my mind; however, I still get butterflies before every game. Before each game, I inhale two puffs, stretch every muscle, and sing to myself to remain placid. When praying for strength, courage, and protection, it is like the Holy Ghost enters my players and kindles inside of them. Their focus shifts from what could go wrong to what will go right and what they will do to help the team. When I walk on the field, my heart begins to feel like it is about to beat out of my chest, and I feel like someone is trying to take over my kingdom. On the field I am home, I have purpose, and I have a sense of belonging. While I may feel like I am suffocating, I still continue to pump my

“McClure, you are a waste of oxygen and life”, my verbally abusive coach spit from him flaming mouth one last time as I walked out of his office. I was numb, and in shock, but relaxed, oddly feeling at peace with myself and my decision. Soccer had brought so much confidence, passion, work ethic, and pure joy to my life, it was something so stable and rewarding for 15 years. 15 years of endless passion enwrapped in pain and sweat, accompanied by life lessons I could not have gone on without, yet within 2 years, this wonderful aspect of my existence collapsed.

My parents instilled in me from a young age that team sports provide the experience of winning and losing which builds character. It requires hard work and dedication, being able to get back up when you lose and creates confidence; all important attributes for being successful at life. Soccer was the first sport to really catch my eye. I started playing at the age of six and fell in love with it. Ever since I was little, I remember every weekend my family and I were at a sports game.

With my stick in my hand and passion in my heart, I looked to my left to see the group of fearsome girls practicing in silence on the turf field. With this sight, I muttered quietly to myself underneath my breath, “Never Again”. Over the course of my enduring three years in high school so far, I have been apart of many different communities with diverse people coming together to express unity amongst each other. The exposure of different clubs, sports teams, and friend groups have shown me many unique ideas and lessons. However, the lesson I have valued the most was my choice of finding a sport that made me feel more positive and allowed me to succeed to my full potential.

FWOOSH! I shot and seemed to be in a matrix or slow-motion trance as I watched the ball swerve in the air and the goalie jump in the air stretching for the ball, then, WHOOSH! Everything was back to normal again and I had just realized I had scored!! I was 11 years old and it was early fall at the annual Danny Cuniff tournament. This is where I learned the valuable lesson that all of your hard work pays off in the end.

Hey Mohawks! This past Thursday was senior night for soccer. I would of never imagined it coming so fast, it seems like the season started last week. Words cannot describe how sad I am that I only have a few more games left. As we closed out our season Tuesday we are looking forward to the post season. We are hoping to upset Valley View next Monday. We faced them earlier in the season and the results were not what we wanted. I am confident that we can come out this time ready for what they are going to throw at us. I hope everyone has a good weekend and thanks for