Making Goals: Beth England is One Amazing Soccer Player!

"Rice rules!" proclaims an enthusiastic Beth England, senior at Yorktown High School in Arlington, Virginia---and she has great reason to be ecstatic. On December 15th, 2006, England learned of her acceptance to Rice University's elite women's soccer team. Although she is not technically in the running for a scholarship this upcoming academic year, a scholarship may be in her future if she stays on the team. Here's what the 17-year old soccer wonder has to say about making the grade for university team sports:

*What can you tell me about the Rice soccer team?
"It's awesome! The girls and coach are so friendly and despite the small size of the school, they are a well-respected team. They won their conference and went to the NCAA tournament, which is very difficult to get into."

*Do you play any sports besides soccer? What athletic awards have you won?
"I have played several different sports including basketball and track, but soccer is by far my favorite. I don't know what records if any there are for soccer, but I have won several academic-athletic awards and am currently on a club team ranked 4th in the nation."

*How long have you played soccer?
"12 years, baby."

*How involved in sports were you in elementary and middle school? How many
teams are you on now?
"Track, basketball and soccer are the main three sports I've participated in. I am only on two soccer teams right now, my club and high school team. I never did ODP so I never was on three teams at once like some other girls I knew."

*When you were in elementary & middle school, did you ever imagine that this would happen to you?
"I dreamed about it all the time, It was the only thing I really wanted, especially at the end of elementary school. I honestly didn't think it would actually happen though."

*What was your reaction when you first heard about being accepted onto Rice's soccer team? Where were you? Who was the first person you told?
"I was ecstatic when I found out, but I looked it up online (they emailed us) at like 6 in the morning, so I ended up taking a celebratory nap before I told anyone else. When I got up I told my sister, who I saw first. She and I then tried to trick my mom into thinking I didn't get in, but I couldn't hold back my smile, so she found out pretty quickly."

*What did your parents say when they heard?
"My mom was really excited and said she was very proud of me. My dad said he knew that I would get in all along, so he hadn't been worried."

*Were there specific try-outs for this? What was the competition like?
"I personally think the best way to be seen is by going to the college's soccer camp, and not just because that's what I did. You get to experience the school, meet and spend time with the coaches to see what they are like, and have them see you to your full ability, not just how you played for 15 at some random tournament game. The more you know, the easier your decision will be."

*When did the scout hint that you'd be selected for the team?
"Actually being offered a spot on the team was a total surprise... I went to a soccer camp there and received a recruitment letter not long after I returned. After that I didn't hear very much, but then in December of my Junior year I received an email inviting me to be a part of the 07 recruiting class. I actually I jumped up and down so high in excitement that I hit my head on the slanted ceiling of our balcony."

*Did you receive team offers from other schools?
"I talked to a lot of other coaches. I was actually planning on having several come and see me at a tournament, but after I found out I got in[to Rice], I wasn't interested."

*What advice do you have for students interested in playing sports in college?
"Show interest and contact the coaches first, I learned that the hard way. I remember expecting to be contacted by coaches after tournaments because I thought I had really played well, but the coaches were interested in people who were interested in them. Also they might not contact you first because of your age anyway, depending on the NCAA rules."

England has high hopes for the future; she wants to continue playing soccer, but also dreams of pursuing a career in science, possibly in medicine or engineering. This June, she is interning with a heart surgeon at the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland. She's just proof that that colleges seek athletes who are not only enthusiastic about sports, but also about academics.