Growing up, I was around soccer all the time. Both of my older brothers played and my dad was the coach. I used to play with the boys teams all the time because I always wanted to be like my older brothers. I can remember being in the backyard having my brother pushing me away and telling me to push him back so I can get the ball. It wasn’t until I got older, that I could actually knock him over.
Playing when I was little was always fun. I played soccer with some of my best friends and I began to love it then. These were the days of orange slices at half time and the tunnel at the end of the game when you won from the parents. Sometimes, I wish we still had tunnels.
In the beginning of high school, I made my parents buy me a soccer net. One of those really cool nets that bounced the ball back at you every time you shot it. From then on out, I had a routine that I would practice to make myself better. I would run everyday and then go out in the back yard and practice for hours. I simply just loved the game.
During this time, the first women’s national team with Mia Hamm had kept me inspired to play soccer. These were the girls that I wanted to be. I used to have North Carolina signs all over my room because that was my dream. I also wanted to be a professional soccer player. I used to have school papers that had “Dream Job” written on it and on that line would be “Pro soccer player.” Like any other girl that age, I was a big dreamer. I still am but with a little more sense in me.
People who knew me during high school know I gave anything for the game. My senior year when we lost in the State Semi-final game, I sat on the field for about an hour after, not wanting to leave. I stayed in my uniform that whole day. That’s how much pride I had for my team and for the game.
When the time came to decide if I wanted to play college soccer, there was never a doubt in my mind. I wanted to follow my dream. I knew that playing at North Carolina would probably never happen but I knew I could play division one. And I did for two years until I found myself transferring to WT.
This is when the whole game changed for me. I transferred because I loved the game so much that I wanted to play at a school that was a better fit for me. Never would I have imagine that I would be in the position I am today, having to fight for this last season.
First day of preseason my first year at WT I tore my left ACL. Life was over as I knew it. I had to realize that this really does happen to people and that no matter how invincible I thought I was, I wasn’t going to be playing that season. For six months, I worked as hard as I could. In the training room day in and day out until I was able to step on that field again. Being able to play again gave me a new appreciation for the game.
So I started my second year at WT. This year was a struggle because I knew I had a lot more to work for coming back from injury. About 10 games into this season, I tore my right ACL along with a lot of other things. Now my life was sure over as I knew it. This recovery has been the longest and the hardest. There hasn’t been a day that is completely pain free but when you’re a college athlete, I don’t think there really is. I played around with the idea of quitting. I think for a while I wanted to quit. In my mind though, I knew that I was stubborn enough to try and play one more season.
There was one instance exactly that helped my decision. It was during the spring and I was barely able to run. Outside on the track, I was watching my team practice and we were helping out with a camp for little girls. I looked at these girls and realized they were me, years ago. They loved the game for the simplicity of just playing it and having fun with their friends. As a college athlete, it’s our mentality to treat our sport like a job, forgetting the fun and why we really loved the sport. As I stepped on the field that day with those girls, I knew I wasn’t quitting nor was I giving up in the fight to play.
10 months later, I am one day from starting my last preseason not only as a college athlete, but as a soccer player. 18 years ago, I decided to play this beautiful game. So in 24 hours, full of a little doubt, a lot of nervousness and excitement , my last preseason starts. I don’t think it will be easy. Training twice a day for two weeks while fighting for a spot isn’t exactly a walk in the park but I know I have a goal in mind. I know God has given me the ability to come back and play and will place me in the right mindset. Playing for Him will be one of my greatest glories this season. Two years ago when I came to WT, I wanted to make an impression by playing. I wanted to finish out my college career not only ready for a real world and a job but also knowing that I didn’t give up my fight that 10 year old Julia would have wanted. I’m ready to push through the pain and to not give up this season. Three months from now, I will be a retired athlete and I want to look back and know that I didn’t give up. Fall seven times, stand up eight. This has been one heck of a journey as an athlete, and I’m ready to finish it the way I started, loving every second of this game and enjoying the time I have playing it.
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