Araceli

 The Beautiful Game 
 No words can describe the feelings I receive when I step onto a soccer field.  The smell of the dirt and the freshly cut grass, the butterflies in my stomach, the prayer that is repeated one hundred times in my head, a team I could call my own; and when that whistle blows, that’s when I instantly know I am home. Soccer has been a talent, and an accomplishment I have acquired for most of my life, which I still wish to carry on for more years to come. Soccer has shaped my life ever since I started playing the beautiful game, and has turned me into the persistent, diligent, faithful person I am today. All these qualities I now currently uphold are all needed to be successful in soccer, and I have learned to take my knowledge of the game, and connect it to the real world. I am proud to say soccer has not only transformed me physically, but mentally as well. The word teamwork is very important in all sports, especially soccer. This sport has brought me friendships, and close bonds with all my teammates. Teamwork is not only important in soccer, but in the real world as well. To succeed in life, many have to learn how to cooperate with others, and learn that the more people who learn to work together as a team find that the job gets done, and accomplished more efficiently. Soccer is a great example for that because when I first joined my Riverside Impact team, I instantly knew I was devoted to that team, and will always give it my all to never let them down. Everyone relies on every single player on a team to do their job, and to do it well, otherwise the team won’t be as strong as many others. It never takes the effort of one player to make a goal, it takes the effort of the whole team to make a goal, and win a game. “I’ve worked too hard and too long to let anything stand in the way of my goals. I will not let my teammates down and I will not let myself down.” My teammates and I live by this quote said by Mia Hamm, the best woman soccer player to ever live. We feel that statement defines us as a team, and reminds us that the name in the front of our jerseys will always be more important than the ones on our backs.  I see my teammates as my second family; we see each other five days a week, have a close bond that can never be fully described, go through hard times together, and may sometimes disagree with one another,   however in the end we will always be faithful to one another, and always have each other’s back no matter what is thrown at us. I am proud to call myself a soccer player, because this amazing sport has taught and directed me on how to live life successfully. Soccer is my comfort zone, whenever I feel overwhelmed, hurt, or have too much on my mind I love to just go outside and let the lovely game take over my mind, and leave my emotions on the field. I can honestly say I have learned about life with a ball at my feet, and am glad I have not learned about it any other way.