Nicholas Hamilton '21 Recruiting Profile

I started playing soccer when I was four years old. In middle school I put all other sports aside and really focused on growing as a soccer player. This decision was very difficult for me because I knew that if I wanted to continue to improve I would have to switch teams to a more serious coaching style. As difficult as it was to leave my former coach, teammates and friends, I made the switch. I started the next season on the bench and didn’t get much playing time for a couple months. However, I worked hard in practice and really put my all into improvement. This work payed off and soon enough I was getting more playing time and eventually I was starting games and playing the full game. Two years ago the greatest payoff so far came when my coaches had the confidence in me to make me the captain of my team. This privilege of being the captain continued when we traveled to Austria to play in the Cordial Cup. Becoming captain taught me a lot and reinforced my decision to switch teams. As I grew and improved on this team I gained confidence and my coaches gained confidence in me. I am now confident and seen as a leader both on and off the field.

In addition to being either the captain or co-captain for the last two seasons, I have earned the nickname of “The Sheriff” from my teammates and parents. This nickname represents my style of tough defending and keeping my teammates in line. I keep my teammates in line by making sure they stay focused and prevent them from making stupid fouls, getting unnecessary cards, and keeping them well positioned. The other team is a different story. I organize my team into a “lockdown defense” to protect our defending third and the goal at all costs.

Although I have reached all these high points so far in my soccer career, I have never slowed down in my training. I still do extra training with my coach and I always have a soccer ball on my foot. This is because I have yet to reach my highest goal: To play college soccer.