Samiya Reid '22 Recruiting Profile

I feel I have faced adversity and challenges from the first day I kicked a soccer ball.  When my soccer career began, I was given the opportunity to supplement my training by playing on a boys’ team.  In that time, I had to prove myself to them and gain their trust and respect as a player. They quickly learned to count on me as a player that was important to the success of the team.  Whether it was a town team or club team, my teammates looked to me to lead them to victory every week.  These experiences molded me into a determined soccer player who loves the game and developed an attitude that never gives up.  Losing the Long Island Cup one year and then battling back to win it the next year is a proud moment for me early in my career where the disappointment of the loss drove me to focus on improving my skills and soccer IQ.

 I played this past season on the varsity team with girls that were 3 and 4 years older than me.  As a high schooler, I am now in classes with students older than me because I was skipped in elementary school.  My earlier challenges have prepared me for these obstacles.  They have given me a competitive edge that keeps me motivated in any circumstance whether on the soccer field or in the classroom.  They have also given me the mental toughness and leadership qualities that I want to take with me to a college or university where I can pursue both my academic and athletic goals.