Abbie Little '20 Recruiting Profile

My ambition is to get my bachelors degree in exercise science, or athletic training, and go on to get a doctorate degree in physical therapist or occupational therapy; I'm really interested in these degrees because I want to help others to be better. My aspiration is to play at the highest level of soccer I'm capable of playing. As a freshman, I was one of three girls that made the varsity team. Though I wasn't a starter I still scored two goals. My Sophomore year, I was a starter(attacking mid) on the varsity team, and had two assists and two goals. These two years of high school were truly an experience to remember as it taught me to never give up, despite our team being smaller in size but not in heart. Despite the outcome of the season, we learned that even if you are not on the best team-technically, physically, or intellectually-no one can measure the size of your heart and desire to win as a team. This mindset held me to a high level of play.

I started playing travel soccer when I was nine years old, and I played for the Herndon Hooligans under Andy Frederick. Starting out, I played defense. When I figured out how to use my speed effectively down the side line, my coach moved me up to winger and there I was able to have a big impact. I was able to use my moves effectively get around people, and put crosses in the box for my teammates. Though I had a great experience at Herndon I wanted to be around a team that would make me better. When I was 13 years old, I moved to Mclean ECNL, the highest level for girl's soccer in our area. The two years I played for Mclean, I scored an average of 2 to 3 goals per season. I currently play for FC Virginia Elite under Cory Hanks and have enjoyed, and continued success at the NPL level as shown in my video at the tournament, and looking forward to my upcoming season with more opportunities.

One player that has inspired me is Abby Wambach, and not just because we have the same name, but because of her determination and heart to be the best; to do anything to win the game for her team. This internal drive and determination is one of the things that sets me apart from other players. Whenever someone says you had a great hustle game, I always think about when I was eight years old; I was playing on the Herndon Hooligans and were playing the undefeated Braddock Elite team in a tournament. Everyone was expecting Braddock Elite to have a quick victory. However we held them 0 to 0 for most of the game. When an opportunity presented itself to score, I hustled to the ball and out worked two defenders in the box, and was taken down, and penalty shot was called. My teammate hit the penalty shot over the goalie's hands for the winning goal. It felt like the moment was in slowmo and all I remember is us winning against the undefeated Braddock team, that hadn't lost a game in years.