Kicking with heart: Emery Andrews’ journey on varsity
By: Suvannah Taylor
Under the bright lights of the soccer field and the smell of fresh-cut grass in the air, Emery Andrews stands out as a key player on the Hamilton High School varsity girls’ soccer team. As an outside midfielder, Emery is constantly on the move, her cleats pounding against the turf as she chases down the ball. You can hear her calling to teammates, encouraging them with energy that never seems to run out. Whether it’s the chill in the air during an early spring game or the roar of the crowd after a great play, Emery thrives in the atmosphere. Known for her drive and dedication, she brings intensity and heart to every match, making her a strong presence on and off the field.
Emery Andrews is a committed student-athlete at Hamilton High School, where she balances academics with a busy schedule of extracurricular activities. She plays as an outside midfielder on the varsity girls’ soccer team, a position that reflects her high energy and love for the game. Emery is also known for her strong connection to the local community, often
supporting team events and showing pride in representing her hometown. Known for her positive attitude and strong sense of teamwork, she brings the same enthusiasm to the classroom and her activities as she does on the field.
Emery always gives her all every time she steps on the field. She knows how to navigate her sleek moves and pass the ball to whomever she needs to. Emery came to light to answer a multitude of questions concerning her game and how she has felt this season, whilst also speaking about the team. Emery stated, “I think we’ve done really well. I think we’ve struggled to get past a mental block, but we’ve really been unified as a team and we’ve been really good at lifting each other up”. So, Andrews is thriving this season as well as helping her teammates succeed.
After years of dedication, Emery Andrews has decided to step away from soccer after
high school, while always cherishing the friendships and memories made on the field. This
choice marks not just a departure from the game she loves, but a significant step towards
crafting her own path in life after high school. Not only were her present feelings about soccer
talked about, but what was also brought up was her future in soccer and in life and what she
hopes for it, to which she answered, “I’m planning to finish through high school, but I’m not going
to play in college.” Therefore, if you don’t want to miss Emery in action, then be advised to go to
a game in the next few years before she’s off to college and her future life.
One of Emery Andrews’ greatest accomplishments as a varsity soccer player isn’t just about goals or wins—it’s about the bond she’s built with her team. Emery believes that the friendships she’s formed through soccer are what make the experience truly meaningful. “I think growing my relationship with my teammates and my player, like through soccer and forming that bond, is just something special,” she said. Being on varsity has given her the chance to connect with others who share the same passion and drive, and those connections have made a big difference both on and off the field.
Though many things are great about soccer and that you can achieve
within the sport, it doesn’t come without struggles that try to take you down. Whether it’s
physically or mentally, the struggles could tear an entire team down, let alone one person. Were
there struggles? Yes, maybe a multitude of them. But Emery knows how to keep going, along
with the entire team. Although she is a star player and her moves are sleek and quick, she admitted to some struggles that she manages to flawlessly overcome. “I think, again, like the mental block and, like, getting in your head is really tough for a soccer player. And then, like, technical skills and getting past, because you never know, like, am I going to mess up? Am I going to do this? And that kind of gets you in your head.” Even a player as talented as Emery has struggles, but that doesn’t mean you can’t work through them. Emery is a prime example of
never giving up. Soccer has thrown challenge after challenge at her, but still she continues to
thrive.
Teamwork doesn’t just come on the field. It’s everywhere, it’s in school, events, and even
work. However, playing a team sport helps many people expand their collaboration and
communication skills. Emery has done this and proves that she will continue to do this. When
she was asked if working in a team sport would help her outside of soccer and have the skills
follow her to, perhaps, a classroom, she answered, “Yeah, totally. I think it’s really helpful.” So if
you ever see the wondrous Emery around, you may see her being an active teammate and
skillful helper.
Not only does being in a team sport teach you teamwork. It teaches many different
people many different things. Emery has learned a great deal of lessons. But
her more specific answer was, “It’s taught me how to work with people that I don’t know as well,
how to keep working with people that I already know well and how to push past challenges and
unify as a team.” Andrews has learned what it means to be a true team player. When she
plays, she doesn’t play with spite or malicious intent, she plays with joy and satisfaction from a
fun and highly effective learning environment.
Emery’s journey through soccer has been a mix of incredible highs and
challenging lows, each contributing to her personal growth. As she reflects on her time on the
field, she has learned valuable life lessons about teamwork, communication, and the
importance of sportsmanship. Despite facing struggles, including injuries and intense
competition, though she has decided not to pursue soccer after high school, the
skills and experiences she gained will undoubtedly shape her future endeavors, proving that
the impact of the game goes far beyond mere wins and losses. Her dedication to her team and the game shows that soccer is about more than just winning; it’s about growing together.