Talise Jager-Sumner '16 Recruiting Profile

I have only been playing soccer since 9th grade. Technically, I began playing 8th grade, but the third game my own teammate ran into me and I fractured the growth plate in my left knee. Most people when I tell them that say, "Why would you keep playing after that?" Because I fell in love with the sport. After my leg healed I went to my mom and told her that I wanted to keep playing; she found me a personal coach and a club team to play with. 

Most of the girls I play with have been playing since before they were 10 years old. The moment I started playing soccer I was also playing a game of catch up. I always put forth every ounce of effort I posses in any practice to get the most out of it, so that I can be one step closer to being as skilled as those around me. 

Because I came to the game late it put me in the mindset of knowing that I was definitely not the best player out there. To this day I will never claim to be the best player on the field, even if someone tells me that I was. I work as hard as I cannot to be the best out of everyone but to be the best I've ever been. It's about my self improvement, that's what drives me is to be better than I was last practice. 

I am in love with soccer. I am absolutely dedicated to the sport and I am never afraid of hard work, if it's going to help me I don't care how hard it's going to be, it's going to be worth it. I can't imagine not playing soccer, which is why I aspire to play in college. I want to belong to a team where there is spirit, where every player works as hard as possible, where everyone is there for each other. That's why, even when I had been playing soccer for less than a year I still went out for my high school's team. Leon High School Women's soccer program is serious, the coach runs a strict program, and many talented girls play for the team. I knew how hard I would have to work to make the varsity team, and I didn't make it my first two years, but that didn't deter me. I kept working and became a starter my junior year because I refused to give up. I wanted to be a part of that team and I worked as hard as I could to get on that team.

I want to play collegiate level soccer and I'm ready to work for it.