Sarah Poirier '18 Recruiting Profile

My love for soccer goes back as far as I can remember and then some. I've been playing for 12 years and my passion for the game has only grown. This past year, my freshman year, I played for both the Willowbrook High School Varsity and JV girls soccer teams. Currently, in the Fall of 2015, I am playing club soccer for the Lombard Firebirds for my 8th year. In addition to playing on the U17CS United team, I'm also playing on the nationally ranked U18 Fusion team.

In addition to soccer, academics have always been very important to me. I'm in the top 10% of my class at Willowbrook High School and received an award for this at the end of my freshman year. I've been on the high honor roll each year at my grade school and received honors with distinction at my high school last year. I take all honors and AP classes and have maintained a GPA of 4.0 or better so far in my high school career. Upon graduating junior high, I received the Presidential Academic Award and honorable mentions in all my classes. I work hard to keep my grades up and won't be satisfied until they are where I want them to be.

My character is definitely what my school defines as the Warrior Code. I'm respectful, responsible, and engaged. I respect everyone and the decisions my coaches make. I know they have to do what's best for me and my team. Same with my teachers. Responsibility has been heavier on me the past couple years. I've always been responsible with my school work and getting done what needs to be done. As I've grown as a player and improved my skills, I've felt more players look up to me on my club team and JV team. I took that responsibility head on and gladly slid into a higher role on the team. As far as engagement, I love being a big part of organizing team bonding or being a responsible leader during practice and games. 

What sets me apart from other recruits first and foremost is my work ethic. No one works harder than I do on and off the field. Athletically, I work out everyday. Whether it's practice, the extra training I do, or just going to the field and kicking the ball around, if I have free time, there's no doubt I'm working out. Academically, I challenge myself as much as possible. I work hard to get the best grades and take the highest possible courses that work for me. I don't like not being my best. If I'm not my best, I'm not living life to the fullest. 

Other things that set me apart from other recruits are speed and endurance. Being an outside wing, I run the field the whole game. I have to have sudden bursts of speed and endurance, not just one of them. I work hard to keep my cardio up and to be the fastest girl out on the field. My vision of the field and finding open players and seeing potential runs and passes is definitely another stronger suit of mine. I work hard to scan the field as best I can and put together the potential plays and crosses we need. Outside wingers have to be able to see what's going on in the middle and make the best decision for the play and I think I do quite well at it.

My collegiate goals are to play at the highest level that I possibly can, continue to improve and become a better player, work harder than everyone else, keep my grades up as high as possible, and be the best player that my team and coach need me to be. I want to be the best girl on the field and to be the hardest working one. I want to work with a team that has great chemistry, is friendly, and has most importantly great teamwork. I love being the best individual player I can be, but more so I love being the best team player I can be.

All in all, whatever team I play for, I will give it my all and be the best individual player, team player, and student I can be.