Clarke Central High School freshman Andrea Matta-Castillo passes the ball during the JV Lady Glads game against Athens Academy on March 24. Matta-Castillo has played soccer for Athens United, Clarke Middle School and as a swing for the CCHS team. Photo by Owen Donnelly.
Journalism I student Andrea Matta-Castillo shares her love for soccer and the reason she has continued to enjoy the sport.
From the first whistle of the game to the last, I give it my all on the field. Whether we win, lose or tie, the excitement of the next match is my motivation.
My dad, a soccer fan, would watch the national team of Peru and U.S.A play on T.V all the time. I was right by his side watching as the teams battled hard for a victory, oftentimes yelling because the team made dumb passes or because the team I was rooting for was not winning.
I later became interested in watching European soccer. As I watched my idols like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr. play, I remember thinking that I wanted to be just as good as them.
My dad would also take me to the park regularly to just kick the ball around and would often take me to watch one of his games he played with his friends at the YWCO.
At the time, I did not know I had a passion for soccer. Only recently did I discover I loved the sport and would dedicate all my time to it if I could.
Besides my love for soccer, I continue to play because it is great surrounding myself with people who also appreciate soccer as much as I do. I have met some of my closest friends through soccer and just being with a group of people through a loss or a victory is something I value.
Being part of a soccer team has also taught me many lessons. A key lesson I have learned throughout playing soccer is to cooperate with others and to trust each player to be successful.
As I keep playing soccer for the Clarke Central High School team, the adrenaline while being on the soccer field with people who love soccer as much as I do, will continue.
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