I’ ve also learned it’ s important to not be afraid to get hurt. You have to be tough mentally and physically. Plus, I’ m pretty good at slide tackles.”
All of Aideen’ s training and experience led to an honor she did not see coming. In April, she was invited to join the U. S. Women’ s National Soccer Team Under 17 Training Camp.
“ I was one of only three girls from the East Coast who was invited,” says Aideen.“ The rest were from the West Coast. It was amazing!”
The invitation came after a tournament where Aideen knew there were some U. S. National coaches watching from the sidelines.
“ I wanted to make a good impression and play really hard. I knew that in order to get nominated for a chance at an invitation, I had to be noticed. It must have worked because my Riverhounds coach texted me the following week and told me to check my email. That’ s where I received the invitation,” she says.
Within a week of the invitation’ s arrival, Aideen landed in California for camp along with more than 20 other invitees. They were housed at the DoubleTree Hotel in Carson and practiced at L. A. Galaxy Field.
For seven days, from 7:30 a. m. to 7:30 p. m., Aideen and the squad worked with professional coach B. J. Snow. They endured a strict schedule of healthy eating, practice, injury treatment, rest, hydration and more practice.
“ It was pretty rigorous, the protein drinks tasted awful, and I missed my iced coffee so much. But it was totally worth it,” she says.
Aideen’ s work ethic and stamina have helped propel her to a level she could not have imagined at this age. She trains hard in the off-season doing a lot of weight lifting and squats with her younger brother, Dillon. She also works long hours running with the soccer ball.
“ I work on my technique and I run with the ball until I’ m out of breath and sweating. Then I stop at Sheetz, grab two bags of ice and call my mom. She always has the water waiting for me when I get home,” she says.
Aideen has enjoyed the rewards that have come her way this season. And, she is quick to point out what keeps her on her toes and reaching her goals.
“ I have the best family and I’ m so thankful for them. My three younger brothers have definitely helped me be tough in a way only brothers can. And my dad has probably been my biggest inspiration. Since signing me up for soccer, to coaching me, and all of the road trips to practices and games listening to Toby Keith, I know I wouldn’ t be here today without him,” she says.“ But I’ ve also learned that to succeed you have to play like no one is watching, without any inhibitions, and be tough, really tough.” n
Canon-Mac | Summer 2016 | icmags. com 47