Abigail Marks '23 Recruiting Profile

I've always played with older kids due to the fact I was usually physically bigger or was forced to since I have a December birthday.  That has turned in to a blessing for many reasons. (1) My parents use to ask me if I was happy playing since I rarely showed emotion when I played. I suppose they were worried I wasn't having any fun; however, it seems I have a talent for staying calm and even keeled, especially in what others believe to be high stressed situations. I was always younger having to hit up against older girls on the field so being stressed taking someone on 1 on 1 or taking a penalty kick to win the game was just part of the game. It's just part of the job. (2) Being a freshman starter on varsity 3 years ago, I  sometimes get overlooked by older teammates. Pass to the freshman on varsity? Nah. This has made me work harder both physically & on my soccer I.Q. to show I can hang with upper classroom not just because I'm physically able but because I have the soccer smarts too! (3) My passing continues to improve since I had to find ways to maximize the opportunities I was given when I did get the ball by mainly using my ability to pass between the lines. Need a lead pass 20+ yards? I'm your girl. (4) I'm always looking to see where I can feed my teammates the ball in order to move us closer to the goal. The last thing on my mind (maybe a little too often according to my parents) is to shoot the ball myself. I hope my abilities to stay calm under pressure and read the defenders to create a pass to my forwards will be an asset to any collegiate team.