Dusting Off My Boots!
I’m coming out of retirement.
The Journey to Now
In the fourth grade I decided I wanted to become a teacher. My fourth and fifth grade teachers left an impression that would forever determine my career path. The ‘I want to be a teacher when I grow up’ mindset continued into the University of Florida. I made the decision to go to UF based not only on the phenomenal soccer program, but the school also had one of the nation’s top teaching programs in the country. The ProTeach program would allow me to earn both a Bachelors and Masters degree and help set me up for my dream career.
That was it. I was going to become a teacher after college. There was no thought of playing professional soccer because a women’s soccer league struggled to survive in the United States.
Florida soccer had adopted a clean, possession style of play around my junior year influenced by FC Barcelona. We loved it, I loved it. We embraced the beautiful game with crisp 1-2 touch passes, creative off the ball runs, patience on the attack, and magnificent team chemistry. I found my niche at the defensive midfield position. I fell in love with the game all over again. My mind shifted from a teaching career to wanting to become a professional soccer player.
In 2013, my senior year, we learned there was going to be a professional women’s soccer league (The National Women’s Soccer League). I was PUMPED. I was not done playing yet, so I put my name into the draft. I was in SHOCK when I was selected as the #19 pick by the Washington Spirit. I was going to be playing at HOME in the Washington D.C. area.
However this meant my five year plan of earning my masters and going to teach would be disrupted. UF created a special program for me, so I would be able to go play in the spring/summer (THANK YOU Suzanne Colvin at the College of Education!!). Then, I would go back to UF to finish my masters the next year.
I had to fly from Florida to Virginia a few times for preseason because I was still in school, but I was able to join the Spirit full time just after preseason. I was driving from my parents house in Northern VA to Maryland everyday for practice (about one hour). Taking/paying for the ferry every morning to avoid traffic and earning a little less than $1000 a month as a rookie. This was the lowest possible salary at the time.
I was starting and playing by the end of the season as a center back with Ashlyn Harris in goal, Ali Krieger on the back line, and Lori Lindsey in midfield. I played against Abby Wambach, Sydney Leroux, Lauren Holiday, and many other ‘big name’ players. I was playing on the field with some of the most inspiring women in the game. It was a memorable experience.
After season it was back to school for me for the whole year. Therefore, I would miss preseason with any NWSL team. Earning my Masters was more important to me. After graduating I played in the W-League (earning $0) for the Colorado Pride during the summer and had the time of my life. Summer came to an end and I had to decide whether I was going to go overseas to play or get a job teaching in Northern VA.
I jotted down a list of pros and cons, which I do frequently. Reality set in, I was 23 with no money, no job, a Masters degree not being put to use, and no real future goals set for myself. I knew soccer was never going to earn me enough money to make a sustainable living. Continuing to lean on my parents financially for the next year was not an option for me.
**Women playing in the NWSL and overseas I truly send you all the LOVE in the world. You all are AWESOME! You are not playing the sport for the money. I know you are playing the sport because you truly love it and are not ready to give it up. GOOD FOR YOU!!! Continue to inspire girls all over the world! There was a movement started by the U.S. Women’s National Team players to try and get equal pay, but it seems to have faded. I have heard so many stories of AMAZING women leaving the NWSL because they could not afford to live independently. The average NWSL player cannot JUST play soccer. They have to have another job to remain financially stable.
I made the decision to teach after the stint with Colorado. Throughout the first year of teaching I was living in my parent’s basement to save money for my own place. I coached a high school soccer team so I was still around the sport, and I played for the Colorado Pride another summer.
I met my current husband, Russell, right before my first year of teaching, which would change my life forever (how cliche, but true). Together we moved to Nigeria after my second year of teaching. I got a job teaching at the American International School of Lagos where I also helped coach the girl’s soccer team.
After Nigeria, Russell and I got married and moved to Vienna, Austria. I knew there was an Austrian women’s soccer league and I was still interested in playing. Upper V Athletes reached out to SKN St. Polten (the top team in the league) on my behalf and I was at a practice within the first week of my arrival. I knew after one practice that I wanted to try and play again, however, the practices were in St. Polten which is an hour away from Vienna. I questioned whether or not I would be able to manage driving an hour everyday to practice. Plus, I was still really hoping to get a teaching job to help further my career and help financially. After a few practices I put playing on the back burner as driving to and from practice each day was too much, and I was getting adjusted to a new city.
I started substituting at the American International School of Vienna, and was offered a maternity leave job at the end of January 2018, which I accepted!
SKN St. Polten later asked me about the 2018 season. I had to make a decision. I was now given the opportunity to pursue two careers I was very passionate about, and I decided to take the plunge!
I worked it out with St. Polten, and I will be joining the team starting January 10th. I know it is going to be challenging and maybe stressful at times. But I also know it will be fulfilling and quite the adventure! I have created new career goals, both in the classroom and on the soccer pitch. One of which, is a OFB Bundesliga Championship!
So here I am, dusting off my boots at age 26 because… why not!?
teacher by day & footballer by night. LET’S GO.
♥ & xx
