Helga Rakel Fjalarsdottir Hagalin '21 Recruiting Profile

Growing up in Iceland I learned early what dedication meant. Some teams in Iceland practiced soccer indoors, in the wintertime, when the weather was the worst. My team did not. I started training soccer when I was six years old only because the gymnastics team was full and, as a kid, I had a bunch of energy I needed released. Almost 14 years later and I am still here, in love with my sport. I have learned alot about myself through playing soccer, how to deal with stress, pressure, anger and how to give those around me a boost. I really believe that playing soccer has challenged my mind throughout the years and is the reason for me becoming the strong independent individual I am today. I am excited to get an opportunity to expand my academic learning in another part of the world.

Iceland is a small and very unique country with strong ties to nature, and that has no doubt played a big part in making me who I am. Apart from talent, I believe that trust, communication and team spirit are necessary to make a great team. It is my hope that I can use my experience from my close knit society to strengthen and improve any team that I will be so lucky to join.