Name: Sydney Shuster
Grade: 9
Sport: JV Soccer
Why did you start the sport?: I had always seen my friends and older siblings play soccer while growing up. After a while I decided that I wanted to try it to see if it was the sport for me. I soon learned that soccer is my sport and have played it ever since. Soccer has always kept me going even when life and school pile up. Now that I have played for a few years I could not see myself playing any other sport.
Best memory from the sport: My 2024-2025 spring club season when I scored a goal from half field. The goal bounced right over the goalkeeper’s hand and she didn’t get back in time to save it. It is my favorite memory because it was a huge deal to my whole team and it just overall meant a lot to me that they cared as much as I did. Also, it was a confidence booster for me because as a centerback it doesn’t happen much that you get to score.
Pre-game rituals: My biggest one is that I have to listen to my specific soccer playlist before my games when I’m getting ready. Also, when we go out on the field for kick off I always tap my cleats on the field seven times cause it is my lucky number and I was born on the 7th. Lastly, before every club game I drink a cup or bottle of chocolate milk. I don’t really know why I do these things but they have just become very natural to do.
Proudest moment in the sport: I would have to say that my proudest moment in the sport would be coming back after my injury because it taught me that little setbacks are going to happen but you have to accept them and just move on. I just am so proud of myself for pushing myself so I was able to get back to my full potential as soon as I did.
Biggest motivation: My coaches, teammates, and family motivate me a lot by pushing me on and off the field to do my best. Also I feel like my ankle injury pushed me because I felt like I would never reach my full potential again. After taking time off and recovering, I released that it was possible and that I was never going to let an injury stop me. Lastly, what people say about me motivates me because it makes me want to be able to prove them wrong and show them my total capability.
Are you planning on playing college/in the future?: Well, I’m excited to play the next three years of high school soccer but yes after high school I would love to play college soccer. I feel like playing at the college level has been a dream of mine since that first time I started on the field in the 5th grade.
How do you stay focused when you’re under pressure?: The main way I stay focused under pressure is trying to slow my breathing and just trying to calm my nerves and act like it is just like any other game, shot, etc. I try to cancel out everything else around me and just focus on myself and what I should do in the moment for the best outcome.
What advice would you give someone who is just starting the sport?: Do not let what people say about you get under your skin cause people are going to say stuff no matter what but you just have to let it go and use it as motivation to push yourself harder. Also, the main point of the sport is to have fun and build relationships with your teammates, it is not all about winning the game but you have to take the losses in a positive way and look at what you could improve on for the next one.
What is the most rewarding part about being an athlete in the sport?: I would have to say the friendships I have made through the game is the most rewarding part of the sport. I have made so many friends from the sport that have truly shaped me as a person and player. Also, knowing that you have girls by your side no matter what to support you means the absolute world.
What’s so different about you being an athlete compared to other athletes?: I just started playing soccer in the 5th grade and before that I had never touched a soccer ball before. It had put me at a major disadvantage because I was behind on learning how to do things correctly. After time I learned I had to put in a lot of time outside of soccer and when tryouts came around for club season I learned it had all paid off cause I made a D1 team my first year and then I moved up to NPL the next season.
