Richelle Knupper '16 Recruiting Profile

Although I have no recollection other than the stories told by my parents and sisters, my first important soccer game I attended was the USA Women’s World Cup against China for the win when I was nine months old.  Our seats were on the penalty line where my family witnessed one of the greatest and memorable moments in women’s soccer; Brandy Chastain scoring the winning goal.  My family’s love for the game was infused in me from a very early age.  But, I have truly loved the game of soccer since five years old, and have spent much of my childhood and adolescence emulating my heroes, dreaming of one day leading my own team to an infamous win.  I dove into club and high school soccer with a strong work ethic and desire that led to a winning seasons my freshman and sophomore years.

People see goals; what they don’t see are my rigorous hours of preparation, practicing drills, running sprints and staying in peak physical condition to produce that goal.  I also bring forth a solid grasp of the game which translates into sound decisions in the heat of the game.  My soccer experiences taught me to relish hard work and to trust my skills.  I am committed to applying myself fully and enthusiastically in every way possible to ensure this.

I know that my ability to remain disciplined amidst highly challenging and hectic circumstances will allow me to thrive in the demanding college environment.  And through soccer, I learned important lessons regarding hard work, discipline, and critical thinking that I will directly apply to my career as a Psychologist.