Following My Path: My Greatest Sports Moment

By: Lexi Cantrell

Jan. 21, 2026

Have you ever wondered what it feels like to earn a Division I scholarship? Through early mornings, injuries, self-doubt, and the worry that I might never be good enough, I pursued that answer for years. I had no idea at the time that my greatest sports moment would be shaped well in advance of the offer.

Less than 2% of high school athletes participate in Division I competition, according to the NCAA. Just roughly 57% of those athletes are awarded financial aid or athletic scholarships.

I was fortunate enough to be part of that small percentage. Everybody's athletic journey is unique, and mine was influenced by both failure and achievement.

When I was four years old, I began playing soccer. I refused to play basketball, and my mother wanted me to participate in any sport, so she had to drag me to the fields. Soccer became my passion after what started as resistance quickly transformed into love.

I showed natural athletic abilities from an early age. I could play practically every position on the pitch and was often one of my teams' strongest players. Even at a young age, I hated losing and always played my hardest to win. My parents felt it was time for me to transition to club soccer when I was twelve.

My parents had never played soccer and had very little knowledge of the world of youth soccer. I became a dominant player at NHB, a small local club that my parents discovered. I realized that I preferred the responsibility and intensity of playing defense over midfield after my coach switched my position. I felt at ease, satisfied, and bonded to my teammates.

In the fall of 2020, I entered high school and tried out for high school soccer. I was promoted to train with the varsity team along with two other girls. I was instantly humbled by practicing with older, experienced players.

The majority of varsity athletes played on club teams that were two or three tiers above mine. Their skill sets were beyond anything I had seen before. My self-esteem declined, and I began to doubt my abilities for the first time.

That same year, I moved to Slammers, one of the most competitive and successful club programs in California and the country. I became aware of the abundance of talent outside of my tiny bubble. I finally realized that I had to push myself if I wanted to compete because I was no longer the best player.

My varsity team as a freshman was incredibly talented. We won league, reached the Division I semifinals, and played in the state championship final. I was more relieved than disappointed when I didn't receive minutes. My own team terrified me, and I was afraid to let them down. 

We lost nine starters at the end of the season. I was given the chance to start as a sophomore when my coach asked me to fill one of those positions at center back. 

I focused on individual training that summer. I started attending two or more private training sessions every week in addition to my twice-weekly club practices. I was pushed beyond my limits with the girls I trained with, many of whom played at higher levels. I was training to show that I belonged, rather than just to get better. 

All the training turned me into the best player on my club team in the fall of 2021. As a center back, I was stopping forwards while dribbling up the field to create scoring opportunities. I still lacked confidence and didn't have enough faith in myself. Therefore, I held myself back by not moving to a better club team when I should have.   

I suffered an ankle injury right before my sophomore season began, which kept me benched for three weeks. My varsity environment turned toxic during that period. The pressure mounted as starters made insults about players who didn't receive many minutes. When I finally stepped on the field, I played scared, and it showed. 

The starting position went to a player who had never played my position. My self-confidence reached its lowest point. I was miserable, back in weekly therapy, and on the verge of giving up soccer completely. 

When the season ended, I returned to club, where my misery only increased. I had a strong desire to compete and get better, but my team didn't feel the same way. My mother realized it was time for a change when I developed depression. 

I went to several tryouts in the spring of 2022. Every team didn't feel right. My optimism faded, and I convinced myself that giving up soccer would be for the best. 

One day, while training between tryouts, my trainer mentioned Pateadores, a club he knew a female was joining. Even though tryouts had already ended, he offered to get me in contact to see if I could practice with the team. When I contacted the coach, he quickly replied, "Come out tonight." 

Never before had I felt so anxious. However, when I arrived, I recognized girls from training sessions and high school matches. I felt at ease for the first time during a tryout. 

To ease the tension, I struck up a conversation with the other players, and they laughed. My nerves vanished halfway through the practice. I played fearlessly, aggressively, and with confidence. 

I came back for another practice two days later. The following day, I received a call offering me a spot on the team. 

With the addition of new players and two combined rosters, the team was completely new. Joining that club turned out to be one of the best decisions ever, even though I had no idea how successful we would be. We pushed each other every practice, won games, and clicked right away. I improved as a player, earned a starting position, and rediscovered my love for soccer. 

I maintained that self-assurance throughout my junior high school year. I started at center back, earned All-League honors, and was named a captain for next season. 

College coaches started scouting me in my junior year. With all the hard work and passion I put in, I soon received my first email from a Division I coach. 

Two of my teammates and I attracted interest from the University of Idaho. I made an effort to learn more about the program, and kept in regular contact with their head coach. 

My club coach promoted me to the ECNL team at the conclusion of my junior year. The best girls' youth soccer league in the nation is called the Elite Clubs National League, or ECNL. I accepted the challenge even though I never imagined that I could complete in ECNL. 

I submitted my schedule to the Idaho coach for my ECNL team's first event. He came to one of my games. After we had a quick, vague conversation, I had no expectations. 

I took a call from an unknown number a week later. I picked it up because it wasn't marked "Spam Likely." The Idaho coach offered me a roster spot and a partial scholarship. 

The moment felt unreal. I never thought I could play Division I soccer. I had always convinced myself that Division II was the best offer I would receive. 

That call proved me wrong. 

Receiving a Division I scholarship wasn't my greatest athletic achievement; rather, it was discovering how much the path before it had changed me. Every obstacle, doubt, and disappointment made me strive harder, believe deeper, and grow stronger than my expectations. 

That event was significant because it demonstrated that I had evolved into my best self. I still have the same competitive spirit in my academic pursuits and professional aspirations, even though I no longer play competitive soccer. How I perform on the field, in the classroom, and elsewhere is still influenced by the lessons I gained while pursuing a Division I offer.