April 13, 2026

Sometimes I’m standing in the goal, waiting for a corner kick to come swinging in, and I realize that my brain never actually turns off. Most people see a goalkeeper and think we’re just there to block shots. They think it’s all about reflexes and diving into the grass. But for me, it’s always felt like I’m running a small company from the back of the pitch.

I’ve spent a lot of time lately thinking about what comes next: after high school, through college, and into my adult life. If you know me, you know soccer is my life. But if you really know me, you know I’m always looking at the "big picture." That’s why I’ve decided that when I head off to college in a few years, I want to dive headfirst into Business Management and Finance.

It might sound like a weird mix: diving for balls in the mud and then sitting in a classroom talking about interest rates and leadership structures: but to me, they are exactly the same thing.

The CEO of the 18-Yard Box

When I’m on the field, I’m not just a player; I’m the organizer. I have ten other guys in front of me, and it’s my job to make sure everyone is exactly where they need to be. If the left back is pushing too high, I’m the one who has to tell him to drop. If the midfield is leaving a gap, I’m the one shouting to close it.

That’s management. In a business, you have different departments that all need to communicate to reach a goal. On the soccer field, the "goal" is a clean sheet. In business, the "goal" is success and growth. I love the feeling of being the person who sees the whole field. I like being the one responsible for the "defense" of the organization.

I’ve realized that my natural instinct to lead from the back of the field translates perfectly to people development. I don’t just want to tell people what to do; I want to help them be better at what they do. When I see a teammate struggling with their positioning, I don’t just scream at them: I try to guide them so we’re better as a unit. That’s exactly what a good manager does. They develop the people around them so the whole company wins.

Why Finance? It’s All About the Strategy

People think finance is just about math, but I see it as the ultimate strategy game. Just like I have to predict where a striker is going to shoot before he even kicks the ball, finance is about looking at the data and predicting what’s going to happen next.

I’ve always been fascinated by how money moves and how smart investments can change the future of a project. There’s a certain logic to it that calms my brain. On the field, things are chaotic and fast. Finance gives me a way to apply that same high-pressure decision-making to something permanent.

I love the idea of balancing the books. There’s a sense of "completion" when everything lines up perfectly. It’s the same feeling I get when we win a game 1-0 and I know that every decision I made, from the first whistle to the last, contributed to that zero on the scoreboard. Finance is the scoreboard of the business world, and I want to be the one making sure our numbers are as strong as my defense.

Finding the Right Fit: Major in Business, Minor in Finance

My goal is pretty specific. I’m looking for a college that doesn't just have a great soccer program, but a powerhouse business school. I want a place where I can walk off the training pitch and straight into a lecture about organizational behavior or global markets.

I’m looking to major in Business Management with a minor in Finance. I feel like that combination gives me the best of both worlds. The management side lets me focus on "People Development": learning how to lead teams, resolve conflicts, and build a culture where everyone wants to work hard. The finance minor gives me the technical "teeth" to understand the bottom line.

I don't want to just be the guy in charge; I want to be the guy who understands why we’re making the moves we’re making.

Leading Through Development

One thing I’ve learned as a goalkeeper is that you’re only as good as the players in front of you. If I don't trust my defenders, and they don't trust me, we’ve already lost. Building that trust is "People Development" in its purest form. It’s about communication, empathy, and knowing when to push someone and when to give them a pat on the back.

In a business setting, I want to be the kind of leader who helps employees find their strengths. I want to manage a team where people feel like they are growing every day. Soccer has taught me that a team that plays for each other will always beat a team of individuals, no matter how talented they are. I want to take that "team-first" mentality into the corporate world.

The Long Game

It’s Monday, April 13, 2026. I’m currently a freshman in high school, and the "Class of 2029" feels like it’s a long way off, but I know how fast time flies. Every save I make and every game I play is a brick in the foundation of who I’m becoming.

I’m not just training to be an elite goalkeeper; I’m training to be a leader. Whether I’m wearing gloves or a suit, the mission is the same: stay focused, protect the goal, and lead the team to a win.

I know that the road to a college scholarship is tough. There are thousands of kids who want the same thing I do. But I think what sets me apart is that I’m not just looking for a place to play soccer. I’m looking for a place where I can prepare for the rest of my life. I want a coach who values my leadership and a professor who challenges my way of thinking.

When I look at my future, I see myself managing people, growing businesses, and staying connected to the game that taught me everything I know about discipline. I’m ready to put in the work: in the gym, on the grass, and in the library.

Managing the game is what I do now. Managing the books is what I’m going to do next. And honestly? I can't wait to do both.

Elite 2011 Goalkeeper looking for college scholarship. Class of 2029.