- 2012 Highlights
Personal Statement
I am a central defensive midfielder/ center back from the Lahore American School. I am 17 years old. I weigh 165 lbs and am 6 foot 3 inches tall. I have won only the 3rd conference championship in 53 years of our schools history (I scored in the final+ was finals MVP, tournament MVP and captain). Won both the regional and national championships for three consecutive years.
Although I graduated in May 2012, I decided to enroll into college in fall of 2013. I took a gap year for three reasons. 1. To study subjects that I had not been able to study during high school 2. To work on my soccer skills and physical attributes 3. My parents thought I was too young to go out and live on my own - also the lack of experience of living alone and no prior trips to the United States affected their decision.
In my senior year, at the soccer conference (contested between American schools in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Oman and Pakistan) my team broke many records. We had a 100% record - won all our games with at least a two goal margin, we managed a shutout in each game, we had 12 different guys score throughout the tournament and in seven matches the opposing teams only had eight shots on target, all of these were all time-records for the conference. I played center defensive midfield in my senior year and was recognized as one of the main reasons due to which our team managed to keep a shutout in the whole tournament. Shutouts are accredited to the goalkeeper and defense, but very rarely did the ball get to the opposing striker or through to the defense, almost all the attacks were thwarted in midfield.
Our team also did not concede any goals at the national tournament (contested between American schools across Pakistan) and just like the soccer conference (contested between American schools in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Oman and Pakistan) had a 100% record. Our team also won the regional championship (contested between local schools across the Lahore region)
With my height I am able to win all the balls in the air. In fact, my aerial ability is the strongest aspect of my game, either it be defensive or offensive heading. I am also very good at keeping possession and building up plays from the back. My tackling ability is also very solid and I provide great cover for both the midfield and the defense. I am a ball playing central defender thus I help in retaining possession and anchor man when I play center defensive midfield. I also have a high soccer IQ (ability to understand opposition, teammates, tactics, and coach’s instructions) and adaptability. I have played in all 11 positions during my high school career due to various reasons but adjusted accordingly. I can easily adapt my game to the way the coach wants me to play.
I have followed a routine labeled by my coach as the 'S' mentality during the soccer season. It is - Study Soccer Sleep. I have also coached the middle school soccer team, and this was an intriguing assignment. Due to services such as this for my school, I was given the community service award.
From my college experience I wish to improve as a student and fulfill my potential to be a good soccer player. After college I aspire to play in the MLS or in any other professional league.
I am one of the 5 only players in schools 53 year history to win 2 conference championships (soccer and volleyball). Incidentally both of them were won in the same year. I am also the ONLY player in the school’s history to make 4 consecutive conference championship finals (soccer and volleyball) and seven consecutive conference semi-finals (soccer and volleyball). Alongside those records, I also hold the record for the being the only athlete in school history to never place below 4th spot (minimum five conference tournaments). I was also the runner up for the athlete of the year award in my junior year.
I want to go the United States for college/university, this because of the high academic standards and the promising athletics. The NCAA/NAIA setup looks like a great proposition and one that I am certainly looking forward too. My country Pakistan offers very limited opportunities to play competitive soccer thus I have had zero second thoughts about playing in the United States.
I am open to any type of school.
In regards to my major in college, I am undecided at the moment, although I'd prefer - International Relations, Business or Economics.
I don't mind playing DIII or any division for that matter because I really want to play competitive soccer in college. This because I just love the game and I don't want my soccer career to end in high school.
For any other questions/inquiries - you can email me at [email protected], call me at +923074444307 and skype me at gohar.shah2
