By Emory Kouplen

As the soccer season begins, be on the lookout for Laura Anton.

Laura is a senior at Alva High School, and she has been playing soccer for about 12 years. She dominates the field as a defender.

She accredits the beginning of her soccer career to her parents.

“Thanks to my parents, I started playing soccer in a recreational league in first grade,” Anton said.

Soccer quickly became an important part of her life, and she decided to keep pursuing the sport.

“I decided to continue playing soccer through high school because it helps me feel confident and accomplished every time I play,” she said. “In soccer, I really enjoy working together with my teammates. So much of the sport is trusting that other positions are going to try their best for the whole game. That opportunity to trust and respect each other is important.”

Soccer has taught Laura many valuable lessons that she can apply both on and off the field.

“The biggest lesson that I have learned from soccer is that everyone can execute a play exactly right, or make the correct decisions, and it can still go wrong,” Anton said. “I think that it’s important to recognize that in real life, sometimes things don’t go how we expect and that’s okay.”

Being a senior, Laura likes to lead her team through her actions.

“I believe my biggest role on the team is to listen,” she said. “Soccer is an intense sport, so emotions can run high during the games. I try to always listen to frustrations and encourage my teammates not to dwell on mistakes.”

“My biggest advice for someone that wants to join soccer,” Laura claims, “is to be persistent. Initially, you might feel clumsy and out of place, but if you keep working and listening to feedback, you will get better and feel more comfortable on your team. Soccer is the most fun when you become confident in your skills and work ethic.”