Matthew Burger '21 Recruiting Profile

My name is Matthew Burger and I am a very competitive freshman at Midlothian High School.  I play soccer, basketball, and volleyball.  I started playing soccer at the age of 4 and started playing goalie on a travel team at 7 years old in the U9 age group.  In 2014, my team went to England and trained for a week with the professional coaches from Sheffield Wednesday F.C.  After 4 years playing up, I decided to move back down to my own age group and transitioned to striker.  I was the leading goal scorer on my team for 2 years.  In 2016, when Chesterfield United merged with the Richmond Strikers, I decided to move back to goalie.  At that point, my new coach pointed out that I relied too much on my athleticism in goal, rather than technique.  So, I took every opportunity to focus on the technical aspects of keeper.  This additional training allowed me to quickly assess the quality of my game and I have been able to make the necessary adjustments needed to maximize my level of effort in game scenarios.  During the middle school season, I was the starting keeper as well as the top goal scorer on the team.  I was instrumental in leading our team to the finals.  My coach awarded me MVP and attributed the award to "how adjustable a player I was and how I was a leader on the field."

I feel playing sports has given me a big edge in school by challenging me to be more responsible and accountable with my time.  Soccer in particular has benefited me in life by teaching me how to be a team leader and has helped me build strong character.  I am a confident student with a 4.75 weighted GPA, taking all honors classes.  I am starting high school with 4 credits and am able to take an AP class as a freshman.  My competitive nature helps me strive to succeed in the classroom as well as on the field.  In 8th grade, I was in the National Junior Honor Society.    

I know I can succeed in college as an athlete and a student.  I am looking forward to establishing relationships with colleges that are the right fit for me.