Before the referee’s whistle blows, Coppell senior captain Summer Chen shakes her wrists, breathing in and out, reminding herself to confidently play for God. 

It is a simple ritual–her way of not just steadying her nerves but trusting in her soccer abilities to play for something greater than herself. 

That trust carried her through years of training, the college recruitment process and now, a signee to play at Gonzaga University.

Now a standout outside back on FC Dallas ECNL U19  club team, Chen has been a force on the field since childhood, playing against future teammates before eventually joining them. 

CHS senior soccer player Monica Morales, Chen’s longtime friend, remembers games against her from ages 5 to 14 years old.

“Summer is passionate, competitive and energetic,” Morales said. “She’ll always do what’s needed for the team. One time in the weight room, we were doing goblet squats, and she kept going until she physically couldn’t and had full-body cramps, just to win our playful competition.”

Chen’s relentless drive was evident early in her high school career. Coppell girls soccer coach Craig Able confirmed she was a standout from the start.

“We knew through her club accolades that she was a high-profile player,” Able said. “As a freshman, Summer made varsity, and not only that, she was first-team all-district—an incredibly difficult accomplishment, especially in the top soccer district in the state.”

Able acknowledged Chen’s growth and how just as a sophomore, she was named District Midfielder of the Year in 2023. Her leadership qualities were recognized early, voted one of the four school team captains by her teammates as a junior.

“Since we have a player-voted captaincy, Summer was captain her junior and senior years which just speaks to how her teammates saw how important of a player she was and in her ability to lead, especially because typically only seniors are captains,” Able said. “Being the key midfielder means finding a way to attack the ball, play through all phases of the team, guard the opposing team’s best midfielders and kind of do it all for us.”

Chen’s recruitment process spanned throughout her junior year, visiting Houston and Hawaii, attending ID camps and leaning on her club coaches, who have strong collegiate connections, for guidance. 

Ultimately, Gonzaga stood out.

“The culture of the team, the way the coaches interacted with me, and just how pretty the campus was, knew it was the right place,” Chen said.

Chen relied on her faith throughout the process.

“I really just trusted in God’s plan because, at the beginning of my recruitment journey, it was bumpy,” Chen said. “Yes, I got a lot of offers but at the end of the day, I tried to not stress and let go of the confusion, trusting in the plan He has for me.” 

Chen values the prominent role her coaches played throughout her journey. Over the years, she received guidance from FC Dallas head club coach Gareth Evans and school mentors, including Able, both shaping her playing skills on and off the field.

“My coaches definitely helped me so much with the college journey because, before my sophomore year, it was starting to become time to reach out to schools,” Chen said. “My head club coach used his connections to communicate any updates to them and Coach Able always gave me great advice.”

In addition to her mental toughness, Chen’s on-field versatility has made her indispensable. While she anchors the midfield for Coppell, her role with FC Dallas ECNL team sees her playing as an outside back, challenging her to adapt while playing to her fullest potential no matter who she is playing for.

“Summer is a relentless competitor,” Morales said. “She pushes herself to the limit and then some more. Her energy is contagious and makes all of us on the team better.”

With every wrist shake before a game’s whistle, Chen carries not just her personal determination but also her perseverance and an unyielding competitive spirit every time she plays.

“I know that no matter where Summer goes next year, she will bring that same fire and leadership,” Morales said. “Her commitment is not just about scoring goals or winning games, and I can’t wait to see her give her best at Gonzaga.”

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