Soccer has been at the forefront of my life ever since I can remember. When I was five years old, some of my friends from school were going to play soccer and I begged my mom to sign me up. Some of my favorite moments playing youth soccer were celebrating a big win with a milkshake and my two best friends on the team. 

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The connections I have made throughout my soccer career have made my journey unforgettable and worth all of the losses, bad plays and conditioning sessions that made me want to puke. They all became stories my teammates and I would go on to laugh about later. 

From youth soccer to college soccer, these connections remained. Throughout the chaos of college athletics, one thing stayed the same: I got to wake up every morning and play soccer with my best friends. 

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Throughout the chaos of college athletics, one thing stayed the same: I got to wake up every morning and play soccer with my best friends. 

While soccer has given me moments like beating Michigan in overtime or playing in front of my family and friends in Washington while tying a career high with 11 saves, it has also helped me grow and create friendships and memories off the field that will stick with me forever.

The moments on the field made me feel invincible, but it was because of the bonds and connections I made off the field that those moments in goal were so much sweeter. 

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Because of this, I found another passion. I want to show people the side of athletes that I get to see every day. I want everyone to see the funny moments that make us human beings and not just some of the best athletes in the country. 

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Soccer opened a door for me – I took a job working for USC Athletics social media almost a year ago. While working with the amazing staff here at USC, I get to attend games, meet with athletes to tell stories and conduct interviews. I work with so many talented videographers, photographers and many more people behind the scenes. So much work goes into making sure our athletes are represented in the best way possible. The job has opened my eyes to the joy that sports can bring people. I have the chance to capture all the little moments during a game day that often go unnoticed and share these with fans. 

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The job has opened my eyes to the joy that sports can bring people. I have the chance to capture all the little moments during a game day that often go unnoticed and share these with fans. 

I also started to share more of the athletes’ personalities with the world. Not just the competitive game day athlete we all cheer for, but also the athlete who fell off their skateboard and was late to class or the athlete who moved all the way to Los Angeles from Brazil to attend USC. I have met so many amazing people and athletes, and I want everyone to see them through the same lens that I do. It makes cheering for them on the field or in the gym so much more exciting. 

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This is especially interesting to me because I have now seen both sides of the sports industry. As an athlete who knows how much work it takes to perform, getting to show people the day in the life of these athletes really makes the job extra special. Going into my final season, I also have such a new appreciation for all the people we have on staff with us. Soccer and USC Athletics have given me even more connections and friendships off the field that I will value forever. 

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Heading into this school year I will be finishing up my masters in digital media management and competing with the women’s soccer team to win a national championship. I will continue to be on the sidelines at sporting events capturing all the behind the scenes moments that make being a student athlete at USC so special.

Photo courtesy of Anna Smith