Zachariah Daniels '20 Recruiting Profile

    From a young age I started loving the game of soccer. I was involved with the Williams College Mens Soccer team and was considered a part of their team because of a program I was involved with, Team IMPACT (an organization that matches kids with life threatening illnesses with college athletic teams). This opportunity gave me collegiate athletic exposure and experience. I came to learn the level of intensity and the passion the players had for the game and the bonds made between one another. This intensity and passion made me love the game all the more and fueled my wish to play at the college level one day, despite odds that had been stacked against me. I wanted to defy the odds. 

    As a younger player until about 5th grade my primary position was goalkeeper along with occasional field playing time. I have since transitioned many times but playing this position for so many years benefitted me with great field vision and awareness which I believe is one of my best assets as a player. In middle school and freshman year of high school I played mostly striker. Once I reached sophomore year I was a starting center back. Now that I am a junior I have transitioned to what I believe to the position I am most effective at, center midfield. Playing all of these positions has given me a wide range of skills and has made me a very versatile player. I can do a bit of everything. 

    I have just been elected as a Varsity team captain for the second year in a row which is something I always wanted to achieve. I believe my team voting me as captain shows the confidence they have in me as a player, a leader, and a representative of the team.  I not only want to be a leader to those around me but a role model and someone you can rely on and trust. I want to set the right example for everyone and be there for those that need me. A team is a family and you must be close with the members.

    Academically I have an average GPA but have not been a superstar. I believe that school has not been a priority of mine throughout the years and I will not lie about that. But as I have gotten to the recruitment stage of soccer and am beginning to look into colleges I have begun to realize the importance of grades and GPA. School has begun to get more important to me because I want to have a successful future and I want to play the sport I love at the collegiate level. 

    Soccer is something I have loved and I always will love. It is a support system before me and it is something I lean on and look forward to. Selecting the right school and soccer program is extremely important to me and I want to and will do everything I can do improve the program I am a part of.