A Strike into the Goal

Aaliyah Garcia
Staff Writer
  GOALLL!! Soccer is a sport filled with athleticness, skillfulness, and overall competitiveness. Many individuals think it is a fun sport to play, and it takes an enormous amount of skill to control something with feet! Here at Bonneville High School (BHS), soccer plays a major role in some of the student’s lives, including freshman Lia Hendrix.
  Hendrix started soccer when she was around five. She was on an actual team at that age, but recalls playing in her backyard with her cousins since she could remember. With all her experience from playing this sport, she hopes to take her talent further and continue playing soccer in college after school. Hendrix was influenced to play soccer because her sister played soccer in college, and her whole family participated. She felt like it was something everyone in her family should try including her, and she enjoyed it because it is an interesting sport.
 During soccer, there are a variety of positions, and players need to do different things like, blocking the goal, and moving forward. Hendrix informed that she “plays everywhere, but what [she] mainly play[s] is center mid or striker.” She mostly dribbles the ball and tries to get the ball farther down the field. Hendrix travels the most throughout any game, which requires large amounts of stamina in order to run where she needs to be on the field. It takes an enormous amount of practice and cardio to keep up with her runs, which includes stamina because it is extremely tiring. 
  Hendrix’s favorite thing about soccer is how relaxing it can be; once she steps on the field, soccer is "all that matters" in her head. With all that goes on in soccer, it is important to remember to not stress. She is a good example of being a natural soccer player, and does not let her worries, and school get into her head due to her just focusing on soccer
  Hendrix has experienced a few injuries throughout the year; once she received a concussion when she kicked a soccer ball towards the goal, and it ricocheted off the goal post and hit her in the head. Hendrix also mentioned that she fell on her hip while playing, causing her hip to pop out of place. Despite all her injuries, Hendrix still continues playing. A large number of people would quit after a fall, but not Hendrix. Her perseverance is impressive, and she is a strong player. 
  Hendrix’s schedule for soccer takes an enormous amount of her time, so much so that she goes “every morning to the gym, then everyday after school [she has] practice.” She also included the Melaleuca Center as the location for her practices. Soccer needs an excessive amount of attention, and most soccer players, including Hendrix, are balancing school, work, and family. Being able to make it to practices with everything going on shows their dedication. As a whole, Hendrix's team trains by doing a large amount of conditioning such as runs and sprints. During practice the team puts an emphasis on passing the ball; many practices end with scrimmages and to help strengthen foundational skills.
  An important life skill Hendrix has learned is not being scared to look “dumb.” The player expressed that playing soccer requires one not to be embarrassed if they mess up, and learn to move forward.
 To any student interested in soccer, Hendrix cautions that “[i]t takes a lot of work, and you have to be willing to put in the time and practice if you want to be good.” Hendrix would know what it takes to be a successful player, and all the practice has paid off for her. She is one of many soccer players that puts dedication in their sport. With that, soccer will play a major part in her life in the future. With her attitude and perseverance, she can succeed. Hendrix is a part of the BHS soccer team during

​