Erik Duffy, Coach
When I was in 3rd grade, my parents signed me up for a number of sports, including soccer because my elementary school had limited phys ed opportunities. I asked to quit the soccer team after the first practice or so because I didn't know anyone on the team, but my parents said it was important to finish something you start. In the first game, I had some success scoring goals and never wanted to quit again.
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Sarah L. (Pine-Richland)
When Sarah was 3yrs. old her older sister, Kristen, began to play soccer. Guess who was her coach? Doug. Well, pretty much the whole season Sarah wanted to be in there playing. I literally had to hold her off of the soccer field while the games were being played. Sarah was screaming and kicking the whole time. So the following fall soccer season Doug and I made one of those executive decisions and we lied about her age. Sarah began to play soccer at the age of 4. And has been playing ever since.
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Devon (Peters Twp)
I originally started playing soccer on a REC team when I was 8. My brothers had encouraged me to play soccer because I enjoyed the sport and was pretty good at dribbling and shooting. From the beginning my favorite position was Defense, and it still is.
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Jordan (Chicky) (Moon Twp)
I started playing when I was 5 only because they wouldn't let me when I was 4! I wanted to play because my older sister played. I started out in Microsoccer (3v3) and played on the same team with my brother; he played goalie, so we were always on the field together. Soon girls were too easy to play so I moved to a boys' team. I felt really proud when I would go to my sister's games and be asked to play when they were short players.
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Taylor D. (Baldwin)
I started playing soccer when I was in kindergarden for the YMCA. I played with mostly boys. I was so happy the first day that I got my new uniform. I played every season after that.
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Chelsey (Hopewell)
I started playing soccer when I was 4 because my older sister played and I wanted to do what she did. I loved the game -- being with other girls and playing striker and scoring goals. I still love the same things. My favorite players are Beckham and Hamm.
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Caroline (Moon Twp)
At 5 yrs old, before a game, i remember putting on my uniform and holding my ball as i walked out my front door to get in the car. i expected a crowd to be cheering for me.........but no one was there but my parents and my brothers!
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Kayla (Hopewell)
When I started playing soccer I was 4 years old. My dad signed me up and I had no clue how to play. I got better through the years. I play travel for Hopewell girls and, of course, BEADLING. I love to play soccer!!
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Taylor S. (Canonsburg)
I started playing soccer when I was 4. My first team was called the Orange Crush. My dad was the coach and we went undefeated that year. My dad always teased me that the Orange Crush is the best team, but really we weren't. I love the game of soccer, plan to play for a long time, and will try my hardest to succeed!
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Sam "Webby" W. (Freeport)
I got pretty excited one day when my family stopped at our country store. I read a sign in the storefront window that said "Soccer Registration: 4-10 year olds." I started jumping up and down in the car, yelling, "Mommy, it says 4 year olds! Four-year olds can play soccer." So, 2 months after turning 4, I was out there scoring goals and going crazy with fun, fun, fun! And, I still think it's the best kinda fun you can have.
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Kylie (North Allegheny)
I first started playing soccer as a 4 year old at the YMCA. A neighbor friend's parent told my parents about this soccer program (they had never seen soccer played!) on Saturday mornings and thought it would be good exercise for all of us. We went down to the Y one Saturday morning and were told to kick this ball around. I had the ball and some little boy came over to me and took my ball. After several tears, I got mad and got the ball back and have tried never having it taken from me since.
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Paige (Franklin Regional)
I got started playing soccer when I was five years old and living in California. My mom signed me up because my brother and sister were playing. It was instantly a favorite sport for me. The team called me, "Wheels"! I have also lived, and played soccer in North Carolina and Texas. I've been lucky to have great teams and coaches who love soccer as much as I do. I am enjoying playing soccer in Pennsylvania and plan to play for many more years.
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Larissa (North Allegheny)
I've been playing soccer for a long time. When I was 4 years old, my older sister was playing soccer for NASC. I would kick the ball along the sidelines at every practice and game. One day, the coach asked me if I wanted to join them. Even though they were 7 and 8, I jumped right in and played. I had fun, and I've been playing soccer ever since.
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Dana (Norwin)
My parents encouraged me to try the game of soccer. I started at the age of five with the Norwin Soccer Club which I played on the travel teams and 3v3 teams. I have loved it ever since!
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Megan (Peters Twp)
Having two older brothers, I've been around socccer my whole life. Since I could walk, my brothers were putting a soccer ball at my feet or head. By the time I was 2, my mother was trying to keep me off the field when my older brothers played for Beadling. Now it's really nice to be playing for the same club. I actually started playing at 5. I used to cry if my dad wanted me to play goalie, but when I was 12, I decided I wanted to be a goalkeeper and now I love the position and try to be the best I can.
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Jenny (Fox Chapel)
Sitting on the side lines watching my brother play soccer was a big part of my childhood. Because I wanted to be like him, I wanted to play soccer. Although it seemed like a ton of fun to be playing on the field, I was fascinated with the accessories! I pleaded with my parents for the smallest pair of cleats made and wore them everywhere. Finally I was old enough to play on a recreational team and fell in love with the game. Throughout the years I have improved my soccer skills and still have a passion for the sport.
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Gabrielle "Gabi" (Erie McDowell)
When I was younger, I was always involved in something - be it soccer, dance, basketball, or swimming. I loved to be active! Though, I remember clearly when I was four years old coming up to my mom and saying, "Mom, I just want to play soccer." Since then, my passion for the game has blossomed, and I have never looked back since.
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Megan "Berry" (Erie McDowell)
I have two older brothers, who were always playing soccer and always trying to get me involved. At the age of 4, I played for a local program during the summer that was called the Erie Youth Soccer Association. From there, I joined the Erie Admirals. I have loved playing the game with all its entireties ever since.
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Jaclyn D. (Bridgeport, OH)
I started playing soccer when I was eight years old. I enjoyed it so much. After the recreational season I joined the Wheeling Eagles and mainly played with the boys. I love playing soccer and I plan on playing as long as I can.
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Brittany B. (Bethel Park)
I have an older brother Tommy who played soccer while I sat on the side and watched. I couldn’t wait until I was old enough to join a team. So at the age of 5 I started my soccer career playing for the Bethel Park recreational league. My dad had coached me through my first years where I always had fun and now I continue to have fun and love the game.
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Colleen P. (Bethel Park)
I have an older sister who was involved in soccer before I was old enough to play and I always had to do everything she did. So naturally once I turned four years old I made my parents sign me up for the Bethel recreation soccer. I've been playing soccer ever since then and I still enjoy ever moment of it.
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