Grace Echevarria '24 Recruiting Profile

Why do I want to play in college? Playing college soccer is my dream, since it gives me an opportunity to obtain a scholarship for doing what I love. My main goal is to have one of my passions help me earn a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering while playing and improving in soccer, and I am determined to do so.

When I saw my little brother playing soccer, I knew I had to give it a try. I was ten when I first stepped into the field, and I immediately fell in love with the sport. Inspired by my little brother’s skills and dedication, I began my soccer journey, which now spans seven years. Throughout my soccer career, I have faced some challenges. During the pandemic, team sports were prohibited in Puerto Rico. However, I wanted to upgrade my game level, for which I took the initiative to exercise every day and train with my brother in our backyard. This opened a door for me when I was 15: to go to an international tournament with the Superior team, which is the club’s Elite team, in Panama in 2021. I have also had other travel opportunities through this sport, including the USA Cup in Minnesota in 2019, and soccer clinics in Spain in 2022. These experiences gave me the privilege to broaden my horizons and meet people from different cultures.

I had the privilege to take a leadership role as team captain in the u13, u15, and u17 categories while playing for my first club, Bayamon FC. This taught me the importance of having effective communication and building strong relationships with my teammates both on and off the pitch. I am currently playing for Caribbean Stars’ u17 team every Saturday, and I am also training three times a week with the Superior team. In addition, I dedicate Mondays to strength training to enhance my game performance.

When it comes to my skills on the field, my coaches like my ability to make accurate, first-touch passes, my speed and endurance, my spatial awareness, and my coachability. Also, I am a fast learner and posses the mental strength to overcome challenges. My ability to apply pressure after losing possession and my tackling skills contribute to my effectiveness as a player. In addition to my soccer skills, I am fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, which helps me develop good communication with teammates and coaches from diverse backgrounds. Moreover, my teammates have told me that I bring a set of values to the team, including respect, discipline, dedication, and persistence. These qualities not only shape me as a player, but also as a person. As a student athlete, I have learned to manage my time effectively between school and soccer, ensuring that I prioritize both. I believe that a good athlete should also prioritize healthy eating and sufficient sleep, and I strive to follow these principles.

With each passing day my love for soccer grows stronger, motivating me to seek ways to improve. To do so, I engage in gym workouts, shooting practice, team trainings, and game analysis. I am committed to continuous growth, and these trainings are all aimed at gaining physical strength, improving aerial passes, enhancing my shots on goal and my overall performance. What I search for in a team is diversity, quality training sessions, and the opportunity to continue playing soccer. Soccer has taught me the importance of perseverance and resilience, and I never give up, no matter the circumstances. My purpose is to be a better version of myself each day, and I believe that soccer is my key to achieve that. My goal is to continue playing soccer during my college years, since it brings me immense joy and allows me to constantly improve. I possess unique qualities such as speed, character, effective communication, and proficiency in passes and penalties. My mental strength and ability to learn from mistakes make me a valuable asset. Soccer fills me with happiness and accomplishment, and I am eager to bring my passion, dedication, and skills to a college soccer team.