Taylor Murphy '22 Recruiting Profile

My passion for soccer developed when I was four years old. After begging my parents to take me outside to play, mother and I went to the backyard and kicked the ball around. Shortly afterwards my parents registered me for Tiny Tots soccer.  Despite only being four years old and no experience, the league placed me on a team with five and six-year-olds. I quickly grasped the concept of the game and scored a lot of goals. Each year my skills improved, and I realized that this was a sport that I wanted to play long-term. While playing on a recreation league at 10 years old, I was invited to play for a travel team that consisted of 12 and 13 year olds. The following years I had the opportunity to play on three different travel teams and was in the starting line up on each team. Sixth-graders are rarely selected to play in middle school, however, I was selected and was immediately given a chance to show case my talent as the only starting sixth grader.  

Unfortunately, during my eighth-grade year, I tore my ACL.  After surgery I was determined to get back on the soccer field and did everything required to regain strength and skills.  When I was able to play again, I started in the first game of the season, but due to COVID-19, the rest of the season was canceled. 

Not playing soccer took a toll on me mentally but it also motivated me to get stronger in order to play.  The injury and the pandemic allowed me to realize that I cannot control everything, and it does not help to stress over things that are out of my control.  In addition, I learned that life brings disappointments, the key is there are going to be disappointments and it is important to respond to them with a positive outlook. It is my desire to play the remainder of my senior year and have the opportunity to play at the collegiate level.