Isabelle Montez '21 Recruiting Profile

"Izzy is an incredibly hard working player that reads the game well. In the attack, she keeps her game simple and is able to play 1 and 2 touch quickly while playing in the middle or as an outside back. Her vision is very good on both sides of the ball as she is able to anticipate defensively when and where to step quickly and how to get her team in the attack or maintain possession. Defensively she uses her body well, very aggressive and is good in the air. Izzy's biggest strengths are her coach ability, work rate and reading of the game."

Courtney Drummond -

Girls College Liaison
Head Coach G01/02 Academy, 02 DPL
a. 5375 Avenida Encinas, Suite C, Carlsbad, 92008
t. 619-971-9254

"As a strength and conditioning coach I wish all of our athletes had the drive, determination, and coach ability as Izzy. Izzy comes to work and puts in the time without any hesitation understanding she is doing what it takes to compete at a higher level. It is amazing to see the amount of drive she exhibits at this stage of the game. I believe her best traits are the ability to be coached up and to be trusting in the process of improvement. Izzy is going to be a quiet leader meaning she is not overly boisterous and arrogant but more leads from the front by example and by being compassionate."

Jason Maher CSCS
Founder and Head Strength Coach
Resilient Strength and Conditioning
www.resilientsandc.com

"Isabelle is a very committed player whose goal is to play in college. She has a good idea how the game is played, which helps her on the field find the right pass. She is a good header of the ball who also reads her opponents well on the defensive side of the game. She reads the game well, and she understands how to close the danger down from the opponents playing through the middle of the pitch. Right now as an '03 player she is heading in the right direction to fulfill her dream."
-Carl Higham, '03 LA Galaxy San Diego DA Head Coach

I began playing soccer at five years old. My dad had just returned from Iraq, and was my coach. At that time, I was more interested in hanging onto his leg than actually playing soccer though.

I practically grew up on the soccer field, watching my older sister, Bryssa, play soccer every Saturday and Sunday. In the beginning I was driven by a desire to be better than her on the field. But, once I started playing competitively, I developed a genuine love for the sport and hanging out with my teammates on and off the field. 

I came to the realization that I wanted to play at the collegiate level after watching my sister go through the recruiting process and eventually commit to and play for a Division III college- Knox College in Galesburg, IL. As a freshman, my sister was an impact player. She was a starting player and earned Midwest Conference 2nd Team recognition her freshman year. She continued to be a starting player her sophomore year when the team went undefeated in league play and won the Midwest Conference tournament, both first-time achievements in program history. That year the team also made its first NCAA Tournament appearance in program history. Her junior year was equally successful with a Midwest Conference tournament win and NCAA Tournament appearance. After visiting my sister at Knox during her freshman year, seeing the friendships and support she had developed within the team, I became 100 percent committed to playing collegiate soccer. 

I continue to work towards that goal on and off the field. I am always looking to improve my game, and so train with my team, a private coach to sharpen my technical and tactical skills, and a strength and resiliency coach to improve my athleticism. Academically, I challenge myself with honors courses and am committed to my academic success as much as success on the field.

Apart from soccer and school, I have a passion for baking. When I'm not on the field or in school, I'm in the kitchen baking cupcakes, cakes, and cookies for family and friends. Baking allows me to experiment, be creative, and is also a stress-reliever.

I also love to travel. I love learning about and experiencing different cultures and food. I enjoy photographing new places through the lense of my experience in those places. My future plans include much more travel.

As for future career goals, I am interested in both business and journalism majors. I am undecided about exactly which career path to follow, but would love to be able to combine my passions for baking and travel into a career that also combines my interests in business and journalism.