Emma Cone' '23 Recruiting Profile

"And though she be but little, she is fierce."  My parents have repeated Shakespeare's words numerous times since I was very young and a canvas of this quote hangs on my bedroom wall.  I live each day with these words in mind.  My name is Emma Cone' and I am about to begin the adventure of a lifetime.  I am a sophomore at Deer Park High School, in Deer Park, Texas.  As the daughter of high-achieving parents, I work hard to perform in and outside of the classroom.  I have earned straight A's since starting school, including taking pre-AP courses.  Presently, I am taking a rigorous academic schedule, taking Pre-AP English II, Pre-AP Algebra II, AP World History, Pre-AP Spanish II,  Pre-AP Biology, and athletics. 

I love a challenge and I am excited at what this season will bring.  In addition to working hard in the classroom, I pride myself on being the hardest working player on the soccer field.  I have played soccer since I was four years old.  I have also played basketball, volleyball, ran cross-country, and run track.  I have received numerous awards for the various sports I have played or been involved in from Defensive Player or Offensive Player to winning first place in cross-country meets.  But my first love is soccer.  On the pitch, I have worked hard for my successes.  This last season, I was the leading scorer and leader in assists for my club team.

Growing up as a coach's kid, I feel like I have had to work harder than my peers because otherwise, any accolade or award I receive is questioned.  Because of all of this, I put in extra time, outside of practice, honing my skills, working on private lessons to improve my speed, agility, and touch, and attending various soccer camps and trainings.  I was proud to be recognized last summer at the Texas A&M University soccer camp for a dribbling championship and I received "Top Camper" at the Team First Soccer Academy taught by USWNT Legends Mia Hamm, Tish Venturini-Hoch, and Kristine Lilly.  I was also recognized as the MVP at Rice Soccer camp this past summer.

After outgrowing recreational league play, at the age of 8, I moved to Challenge Soccer Club, where I have played competitively since 2010.  I have had the incredible luck to work with amazing coaches who have invested so much in my development--I could never repay them.  This year, as a freshman, I have earned the honor of playing starting center-midfield on the Junior Varsity team-- a team filled with sophomores and upper classmen.  I am more proud of the fact that coaches, teachers, and even administrators do not realize my petite statute until AFTER a game...when my teammates and I stand side by side.  I play big and I play hard.

One of my all-time favorite players is Meghan Klingenberg who, at the height of 5'2, not only plays soccer at an elite level, but has excelled, winning the World Cup.  I recall reading an article during the World Cup, where she said that "it's not how big you are, it's how big you play."  I remind myself of those words each time I set foot on the pitch, whether it's for practice, a game, or just working on my touch.  I could tell you my story about having undergone twelve surgeries on my ears and three on my palate, or how I have overcome a speech impediment because I was born with a cleft palate--but none of that matters.  What matters is my dedication, commitment and love for this sport. And I know, if given the opportunity to play at the next level, I will dedicate and commit myself to excel.