PJ O'Connell '20 Recruiting Profile

I started playing soccer when I was 7 years old and I instantly loved the game. I was a natural talent but I combined that talent with hard work and dedication. I was almost heart broken when my first club team rejected me when I was only 11 years old. The coach said I was "too small, too skinny." I went home and cried myself to sleep and wanted nothing to do with soccer. My family was great enough to motivate me to keep playing and I was out in the yard everyday working hard and getting better. I got on an even better club team when I was 13. I feel like I'm a great candidate for many reasons. I am a great leader on and off the pitch, and I only want what's best for my team and teammates. A player who inspires me to always give it my all is Cristiano Ronaldo. People call him arrogant but in my opinion there's nothing wrong with wanting to be the best. Academically I have a 3.5 GPA which is high C's and B's. I also have a college playing style. I'm most dangerous in front goal no matter where I am on the field, basically a leading goal scorer and a great finisher. I have superb speed with and without the ball. And lastly I have precision point passing. In my club season I lead the league with 21 goals in 9 games and helped my team grab its first championship after being beaten 2 consecutive years, by netting a hat-trick in a 3-1 victory. I also play on a travel team that plays year round and we play in many tournaments and college showcases. I was awarded with all-conference forward in 2015. Lastly my favorite quote is simply "dig deep." I love soccer with all my heart and I wish to continue playing in college.