Moving the soccer ball forward, Connor Copeland, 11, looks for his chance to score yet another goal. He sprints and effortlessly kicks the ball to the opposing goalie who dives and misses the save by just a few inches. Copeland feels the excitement run through his veins as he sees his team cheering and running towards him to celebrate their victory.

How did you first get involved with Soccer?
“I started at the age of 4. I loved everything about it, it was something to do as a spastic child. I still don’t know what I love about it, it’s just my ‘thang’.”

How has this sport influenced your life?
“It has made me do everything to the best of my ability. It doesn’t change my personality, I’m still the same kid, but it does take up a lot of my time. I practice every day for school 3 days a week in Plano for select and usually 1 club game during the weekends.”

What are your predictions for this year’s season on Varsity?
”I’m expecting for us to win district. I don’t want to say anything else because I don’t want to jinx us either, but we are looking good. We had a good season last year, I looked up to Bryan Zhaner a lot, but he recently graduated. He was still able to manage schoolwork and a personal life yet a strong athlete to the team.”

What would you do without soccer?
“My grades would still be the same but I would have nothing to push for later in college. Schoolwork, my family, and my morals are all more important to me. Soccer is not forever, everything else is.”

Any team rituals before a game?
“We all pray together before a game. It brings us closer together so we can sacrifice ourselves for the common goal.”