Tell us your soccer story. Why did you start playing soccer and why are you still playing today?

My soccer story began when I was seven years old and playing for Kearny Thistle United. I started playing soccer because it was the sport to play growing up in Kearny and I really enjoyed playing with my friends. I quickly fell in love with the game and dedicated a large part of my life to it. I love to play because I'm incredibly competitive and I love being a part of a team. Soccer has taught me so many invaluable lessons, including discipline, punctuality, resilience, leadership and hard work.

The game has and continues to open up so many doors in my personal and professional life. I met my now husband almost eleven years ago while we were both coaching at a soccer camp. I’m still playing today because soccer is a lifelong passion for me. Soccer has given me more in my life than I could ever have imagined and I hope to give back to the game by helping advance women's soccer in any way that I can.

Tell us about now. When you aren’t with Paisley Athletic FC, what are you doing?

When I’m not with Paisley Athletic FC, I’m working as a Partner at a global recruitment firm based in NYC. I enjoy spending time with my husband Anthony and our dog Oscar. My hobbies include running, Peloton, reading (I'm on track to read 120 books in 2022) and spending time with friends and family. As someone who lives with anxiety, depression and OCD, I am a mental health advocate. I ran The Brooklyn Marathon in April of 2022 for To Write Love on Her Arms, a nonprofit organization that aims to present hope for people struggling with addiction, depression, self-injury and thoughts of suicide, while also investing in treatment and recovery. I am committed to helping end the stigma surrounding mental health and mental illness.

Where did you play, what drew you to that college’s program, and why did you want to continue playing after you graduated?

I played college soccer at Seton Hall University. I chose to go to Seton Hall for a few reasons. First, because I felt like I had the ability to make an immediate impact on the field. Second, because of the competitive environment within the Big East Conference. Third, because Seton Hall has a great business school. I wanted to continue playing after college because I love the game and being part of a team. Unfortunately, there were limited opportunities in the US when I graduated, so I decided to join Corporate America; however, I truly believe that I’ve gotten a second chance with PAFC, and for that I am incredibly grateful.

What position do you play and why do you prefer it over other places on the field?

I play Goalkeeper. I enjoy the position because it’s the last line of defense and there’s always the ability to change the game with a big save.

The pandemic has really impacted our lives, including sports. How did you stay fit when everything was shut down and how did it impact you as a person and athlete?

I stayed fit by using the Peloton bike, running outside and lifting weights at home. The pandemic really shifted my perspective on what’s really important to me in life. I got the chance to play soccer again with Paisley because I was no longer commuting to and from my office in NYC everyday. I think the pandemic taught me the importance of focusing on my mental and physical health, and the importance of making time for the things that are most important to me.

What are you looking forward to most this season with PAFC?

I’m looking forward to playing at a highly competitive level while also striving to grow the women’s game locally. I want to be a positive example for local youth girls teams and show players that they can continue to play during and/or after college.

Women’s soccer has made tremendous strides over the years, and there are more and more opportunities for women to not only continue playing post-college but also coach. How else do you think women’s sports can grow in terms of equality and accessibility?

I think there needs to be an even greater investment in women’s sports, including broadcasting games on major networks, expanding domestic leagues to allow for more opportunities for women to play, and increases in salary for professional players across all leagues. Ultimately, I think more opportunities need to be created for women in sports from the youth level all the way up to the pro ranks.

What are your plans post playing career? Do you want to coach or work in sports?

I can’t picture a life without soccer, so I’ll always make sure I’m involved in the game somehow. I’ve found working as a volunteer coach for my high school girl’s soccer team to be incredibly fulfilling. I plan to continue to play soccer, in whatever capacity that may be, for the rest of my life. I look forward to continuing to advocate for the growth of women’s soccer in the US.

The title graphic for this article is the work of Cory Mizer. A long-time contributor to Protagonist Soccer, Cory has created some of the best player profile cover shots we’ve ever seen. Here’s a link to a gallery of his work for our site.