From the ages four to fifteen, I grew up playing soccer. I started off learning how to kick the ball, and before I knew it, I was learning how to take the best corner kicks.

Green Jackets Field

In the beginning years, I played for Pennridge Green Jackets on a co-ed team. A handful of tiny preschoolers and I ran around, all chasing the ball, completely clueless. We didn't know what we were doing, but we were having fun.

Go Anna!

After a few years, I moved onto a new team at a different club. But I wasn't going alone. My best friend joined me to start playing for the first time.

Deep Run Field

We spent years on and off of the same team. One season we would be versus one another, but the next, we would dominate the other team together. Eventually, we would land upon our forever team.

The coaches and team were unlike any other. We finally felt a part of something great. Our team created a special bond, which looking back, was the reason for our success. 

Our coaches taught us so much more than just soccer. They never failed to make us feel important. I'll always remember being greeted by a "Hi Anna Banana" and a high five every practice.

Hi Anna Banana!

I was finally happy with my surroundings at soccer. I had the best coaches, great teammates, and my best friend all on one team. We all wanted the same thing, to win.

Blue  VS  Red

4         0

I always loved the feeling of victory and knowing my hard work paid off. It felt like pure joy when my team and I crushed our opponents and got to go home with yet another win for the season.

Season after season, my team ended on top. In 2021, we wrapped up our fall season as usual, expecting another great spring season.

I spent all winter waiting to return to the place I loved most. I missed everyone, and everything soccer provided me with. 

Thankfully, the spring season came around. But this time, it was not the same. A ton of girls had left the team. Our team was much smaller and lacked the same energy we used to once have. 

Ever since that spring season, the team had not been the same. Everything was off, and it was clear to everyone that our team was not whole. This took a major toll on the team. 

Blue VS Red

0          3

Practices were canceled because nobody could make it. We were all growing up and facing responsibilities such as jobs and school. Others lost their motivation to even go at all. So here it was, the downfall of our once-undefeated team. 

Practice is canceled today.

For someone like me, driven by success, this hurt. I still traveled to every practice and game and continued to fight with everything in me. I had to keep going for the sake of my younger self.

Playing the game of soccer wasn't fun anymore. After losing time after time, the spirits fell low. At this point, we just wanted it to be over with.

The season ended on a sour note. It felt incomplete. My friends were moving on in life. But I was still mentally on those fields, reminiscing about the feeling of our wins.

As time passed, the excitement left me. I wasn't looking forward to the upcoming season but I signed up anyway. I figured I couldn't quit now. I was already fifteen and only had a few more years left.

Spring Soccer Sign Up

Anna

Shortly after registration, the email came through. My coach informed us that there weren't enough people who signed up to build a team. Reflecting back, it was bound to happen. But at the time, I was shocked.

We will not have enough players to create a team.