Teagan Della Cerra '19 Recruiting Profile

Soccer has been at the center of my life for as long as I can remember. At the age of four, I started playing AYSO soccer. When I was seven years old I was recruited to play on an independent competition team called the Red Raptors and we dominated our division. From there our team team stayed together but started playing under the La Roca soccer program and once again, we did very well. I switched teams to Ogden Storm. This is where I truly began to fall in love with the sport playing central mid. I was the star player of my U11 (6th grade) comp team.  I had a knack for putting the ball in the net. I was nominated captain of that team and stayed captain the entire time I played with them. That team dissolved in 9th grade and I started playing for SWAT. When I came to SWAT we were a very new team. Only a couple of the players had ever played with each other but quickly our chemistry fell into place and we were a very cohesive group on and off the field.. That summer we won our first tournament -the La Roca Cup- with me being the top goal scorer. We also won Mayor’s Cup. For the next season the coaches and players nominated me for captain again.  I led the SWAT D2 regular season in that fall. The 2017  summer and fall season I have been playing as a guest for another SWAT team. This team plays P2 which is a higher level of playing than my regular team. If everything goes to plan, I will be starting for them this next 2018 fall season and I recently played with them during the presidents cup gold bracket in which we took second place this past January of 2018.

I was born a natural athlete and have played and competed in many sports including football, basketball, track, and of course soccer since a young age. I have been raised in a family where my two parents were athletes and focused on health and wellness for me and my older sister. Genetically, I lucked out.  I am 6’1”, 170 lbs with long legs and great coordination. In the midfield this makes it hard for opponents to get around me. In the air this makes it a challenge for defenders to guard me because I can get up and head the ball at a higher distance than most can. Along with size, I have speed and agility. For the past two years, I have participated in speed and strength training to increase my speed and minimize my reaction time which helps me get an edge on the field. My great coordination enables me to be a gifted dribbler.  Seldom my head is down looking at the ball. I keep my eyes up to anticipate and react quickly to a play. Along with dribbling, I am very good at distributing the ball. I like a very fast paced game and to keep it this way I like to know where my team is even when I don’t have the ball.  I like to know my decision before I get the ball.  I'm a very aggressive player and am not afraid of contact. Earlier I mentioned when I was younger how i had a knack for putting the ball in the net… this has not changed one bit. I've always been the top goal scorer on my team and am confident in taking a shot from most anywhere on the field (given I have space). I am a very versatile player and while I like playing more of an attacking position I can play every position on the field including keeper. Being the top goal scorer, I also am savvy enough to make a smart pass over an “iffy” shot. I hate losing and in soccer you win and lose as a team not as individuals. I am a natural leader whether it be in the classroom or on the field. I like getting to work and getting things done quickly and efficiently. I see the “big picture” which helps me lead others. I am a very coachable player. After every game I ask my coach what i need to improve on for the next game. I am constantly asking my coach what he wants to see out of me. I take my coaches input and then I consciously think about it when in the game. I have found that this helps me play more focused.

Individually, I do my own personal training.  I take a bag of balls and work on speed training with the ball along with shooting at different angles and from different distances.  I get my sister, mom, or friends to come and shag the balls for me.  Often I meet up with other teammates or friends and we work on our skills together.  I also do strength and endurance training on my own.

While having many strengths in soccer, I also have many strengths in school.  From elementary school and currently, I have been in the top percentile grade wise. I am taking my 5th year of Spanish which is concurrent enrollment. When available I took honors Math and am currently enrolled in Math 3 Honors along with AP Statistics.  Through a local college (Weber State University), I will be participating in my 2nd term of Project Lead the Way (another concurrent enrollment class) which is an engineering program. I excel in Math and Physics and strive to get a degree in an engineering base profession. The engineering programs that interest me the most are biomedical, civil, and energy science. I also am currently enrolled in AP US History and AP Biology.  I take challenging classes and strive to maintain high grades.  I budget my time wisely between school, sports, family, friends, church, and work.

I would not be where I am today (both academically and athletically) without the support of my family.  Both my mom and dad supported me at a young age.  They have had high expectations and raised me with core values to always work hard to get what you want in life.  Even after my parents divorced, I was still able to feel the support and love from them.  My mom took the central role in truly raising me and providing me the opportunities with sports.  She enabled me to play in leagues, found the money to go to tournaments (such as President’s Cup, Park City, and local ones), and has been by my side cheering in the stands (even though I can’t hear it in the field).  My step-father coached me for 3 years.  He brought the importance of having set plays for corner kicks and utilizing my size to my advantage.  My current coach, Garrett Swift,  has been the most insightful coach I have had.  Maybe it’s due to that I’m older and understand more about the game, but how Garrett sees the game and guides me has helped me immensely.  I get advice from him after every game and practice. I take those comments and apply them to my next playing opportunity.  

Outside of soccer I participate in many different activities.  I have also played football since I was 7 years old and this year I played kicker, wide receiver, and outside linebacker for the Webery High School JV football team.  This year we took 1st in our region.   I like fishing, shooting guns, rock climbing, and rafting.  In the winter I love to snowboard in our Utah Mountains. In the summer I enjoy boating where I kneeboard, wakeboard, ski, and hang out in the water with my family.  I am often out with my friends when I have the time. Many times the things we are doing is sports related.  I participate and serve in my church and community. Trips with my family to far away family reunions, Broncos games, or San Diego are always a highlight and something I enjoy.  

All in all, I am a young man that fell in love with soccer and want to use my talent as I go on to college.