Share a little bit about your ASA “career.” What programs did you participate in growing up (Rec, Academy, Assistant Coach, Camps, etc).
My ASA career started very young. At the age of four, before starting kindergarten, my parents signed me up for Recreational soccer with the hopes that I would make friends before starting school. They hoped I would meet classmates early, so that when I arrived as a little kindergarten student at George Mason Elementary, I would at least have some familiar faces. I began to fall in love with soccer and enjoyed it and I decided to stick with it and try out for travel soccer the spring before second grade.
I made the Black team in the Academy program and kicked off my soccer career as a field player. After a year on the Black team, I showed improvement and was offered a spot on the White team.
I began making my biggest strides as a field player while also beginning to get more opportunities to play as the goalkeeper. (I played baseball in addition to soccer so my hand-eye coordination was pretty good and I ended up playing in goal every game). I slowly began to realize I was somewhat good at goalkeeping, and liked it.
After two years more years I was offered a spot on the Red team where I played mostly in goal and a bit on the field. When I was in sixth grade, I injured my shoulder playing baseball, making me unable to play in goal, but my coaches were nice enough to let me join the White team again to play on the field while I was still recovering. In hindsight, I think this time led me to become more passionate about soccer, and I think it was part of the reason why I chose to stick with soccer over pursuing baseball.
Year after year as I got older my team would be competing to win the league and state championship, something that ASA had not yet done at the time. It wasn’t until the fall of my freshman year that we were able to win, becoming one of the first teams at ASA to win the VYSA State Cup championship. After this, I was fortunate enough to join DC United’s Academy through the Pathway 2 Pro partnership they have with area clubs. After three years with DCU I was able to come back to ASA for my U19 season before heading off to college.
I am grateful for this opportunity to return to ASA as it helped prepare me for the next level, and was big in my career journey, which, without Alexandria, wouldn’t have been possible. After my freshman year of college I returned to Alexandria to play for the NPSL Reds summer team.
This was really good for me as it allowed me to play high-level games as a young college player and taught me to compete more seriously. I worked with Coach Will Hanna, and now Head Coach Nick Conklu, as my goalkeeper coach at the time. The amount of work that Coach Nick put into that summer as a goalkeeper coach was unlike anything I’ve experienced to this day. He worked with me to plan sessions, sent me a scheduled plan every day before training, showed up early, filmed sessions, and created post-match reports for me. He is a great person and great coach, and that has had a lasting impact on me to this day.
Where did you go to college and what degree did you earn (or are working towards)? Tell us a little bit about what you do now (still in school, job, traveling, etc).
I went to the University of Portland for two years, and just this past fall, I transferred to Elon University, where I am working towards my master’s degree in Finance. I enjoyed my time at the University of Portland, where I grew a lot as a person and player, and now at Elon University, I feel like I am using everything I learned and the skills I developed at the University of Portland to continue in my development both on and off the field.
Over the summers, when I come home for break, I have been fortunate to work in different internships, experiences that have and will continue to help me prepare for a successful career after soccer and college. Last summer, I worked in politics where I served as an intern at the S-3 Group, a DC lobbyist firm, and this upcoming summer I will be working as an Investments Intern at Invictus Capital Partners, a real estate credit-focused alternative asset manager also in DC.
Are you still involved with playing or coaching soccer / futsal? Tell us about it!
I currently play on the men’s soccer team at Elon University. I am no longer involved with playing or coaching soccer at ASA, but without ASA, I wouldn’t be the player I am today. All of my coaches really took pride in my development. Coach Grigor Boychev was one of my first coaches, and I felt he did a great job at instilling good habits and behaviors in us, at an age where
getting a group of young boys to listen was challenging. His coaching philosophies remain in my brain today.
Coach Chris Arnold was next, and looking back, he helped set me up to play at the next level. He started with my age-group at a young age, and stayed with us for years, which was really good for me, and our entire team. Our success is largely due to him, his intensity, and his desire to see us succeed. He pushed us to win championships, and under him, we were fortunate to win a couple of CCL league championships, win numerous tournaments, and even a state championship, something I am proud of and glad to leave my mark at Alexandria as one of the first teams to do so.
I was also part of the Academy Futsal program, and am proud to say I am a national champion. Working with Coach Will Hanna for multiple years, his energy and intensity drove us to be successful and allowed us to compete and win regional and national championships year after year.
Some of my core memories at ASA come during the futsal periods, where I was also fortunate to work with Coach Peja Radivojevic as a goalkeeper. These times in gyms across Alexandria kept me sharp and prepared for the outdoor season, and helped me grow my skills, becoming a better player and competitor. The expectation and end goal of winning a national championship every year pushed every one of us to take it seriously, commit to becoming better players, and take pride in winning. I really enjoyed the competitive aspect of it and the special group of guys I was able to share those moments with.
Did your time at ASA make an impact on your journey after high school graduation? What do you remember most about playing soccer growing up?
First and foremost, after high school, my experience with the Alexandria Reds men’s team is something that very directly impacted my journey. As a young freshman who hadn’t gotten many game minutes during my first year at college, this time helped me a lot. The opportunity to join this high-level team was one that I was grateful for, and one that made me better because of it. I met a bunch of great players and guys with whom I grew close over that summer who I still talk to today.
Going beyond a tangible impact, I’d say ASA really helped me fall in love with the game of soccer, and having that feeling from a young age has helped me find the joy in it at all points now in my college journey. On every team at ASA, I was surrounded by a group of friends and guys I enjoyed seeing every day, and a coaching staff that brought the same energy. We had a good team and were successful, but the most fun part about it was seeing everyone each day, and the jokes, laughs, and memories we’d share every night.
What I remember most about playing soccer growing up was carpooling to practice every night. It may sound silly, but getting into a car with four teammates and friends after a long day of school was so much fun and made everything on the field even more fun. Knowing I had guys I could joke and spend quality time with after a session, whether good or bad, made the experience as a whole of playing for ASA that much more fulfilling and memorable.
Do you have one piece of advice for high school students who are choosing colleges or getting ready to graduate?
My one piece of advice for high school students choosing colleges or getting ready to graduate would be to keep your future in mind. Obviously, not everyone has an idea of what they want to do in their life, but this was something I was unable to understand and process as a naive high schooler. I did not understand at the time how much was out there for me, and looking back, feel like I wasted opportunities because I did not invest in myself soon enough. The sooner you begin to set yourself up for success, whether in soccer, as an employee, or as a person, the sooner and better experiences you will have. Having a dream and a goal will give you something to chase, and this is something your future self will thank you for.
Thanks Drew! What a great story! Good luck with your internship this summer. You’re always welcome to come back and coach for us in the future! 🙂
