Nicky Taghert '19 Recruiting Profile

I am a trans athlete, the first ever in Missouri.  I am hard-working and will to give it all in training and in games. I want to push myself to be the best and play with the best. I practice every day for hours to achieve this goal. Since I only came out as trans during my junior year, I'm late to the recruiting process for women's soccer.  I am a unique type of goalkeeper, I use my feet more than my hands and try to start the attack whenever possible. I take all the free-kicks in my half and even sometimes even further up. I am also an aggressive sweeper keeper, so an through balls I take care of. I am extremely fast so I will always challenge the attacker when I come out of my box. I am good with the ball at my feet, and can and have beaten attackers on the dribble. I can also play in field at any position but mostly as a forward. I have a strong foot and great acceleration, which makes me great at driving down the wing and cutting in to shoot or lay it off. I am tall so I can reach many high balls on crosses, as well as win 50-50 headers in the field. In terms of academics, I am a strong student and have the same drive to succeed as on the field. I take the hardest classes I can, which include multiple AP and Honors classes. As a teammate, I provide leadership and companionship. I am friendly and welcoming of all, as I am more on the unique side when it comes to my identity. I advocate for myself and others on and off the pitch and I am not mean or negative to anyone, I have enough experience with overcoming obstacles that I know I myself do not want to become one to others.