- 2024 Spotlight #2
Personal Statement
From the moment I stepped onto the soccer field, I knew that I wanted to play at the collegiate level. My name is Maggie Wood and I’m currently 15 years old and living in Ireland. I have been playing soccer since I was 8 years old, and it has been my passion ever since.
I am an excellent playmaker with strong dribbling skills, exceptional touch and control as well as a growth mindset and winning mentality. No matter who I am playing against, I put in my best effort, and I never give up. I have been told that I am very coachable, which I think is because I always look for ways to improve my game so that I can be the best I can be.
Having the opportunity to live overseas my whole life has taught me so much about the sport. Getting to experience the different styles of play in the US, Thailand, Oman, and Ireland has helped me to become the player I am today.
Last January, I was invited to try out for the Bray Wanderers FC League of Ireland team and I made it! I have been playing there ever since. Having the opportunity to play at the national league level has been incredible for me, both as an individual and as a teammate. I have learned so many new things about the defensive and offensive transitions in midfield, as well as general structure and playing in my position as the attacking midfielder in such an aggressive and high-paced game.
I strive to keep my fitness up and love to exercise outside of soccer practice. I have played for my school’s U19 basketball team for 2 years and am currently in my third year. I also do extra soccer training only accessible to other League of Ireland players as well as working out whenever possible as I know how important it is to have good fitness when playing soccer, especially at the level I am at.
While in school, I work hard to maintain my good grades as I know how important they are for my future, and I challenge myself by taking higher-level classes such as extended Spanish and Math. I also volunteer as a coach for the U11 soccer team at my school, and I have found that I enjoy it as I love to see the little kids playing the sport I'm passionate about.
It’s my dream to play soccer at the collegiate level in the future and I hope that I can play the sport I love for as long as possible.
