Overhead luminescent lights shine down over the flat grassy field. The studs at the bottom of the soccer cleats dig into the synthetic turf as freshman Danyelle Lundberg makes a final shot toward the soccer goal.
Jon Patterson, coach of Lundberg’s Dallas Texans club soccer team, signals as practice wraps up. Every Tuesday and Thursday at 7 p.m. Lundberg embarks in soccer practice until 9 p.m.
“She’s very fast, tenacious and has a great attack on the ball,” Patterson said.
Lundberg’s passion for the sport started when she was 6 years old.
“I want to be on the varsity soccer team and go to college for soccer and get a scholarship,” Lundberg said.
Lundberg wants to play for the United States Women’s National Soccer Team. Despite soccer consuming much of her life, she has had some challenges. She just joined her team, which can bring some social conflicts when it comes to getting her new teammates.
“I was on a bunch of different teams, so meeting a lot of people, you have to integrate yourself in the team,” Lundberg said.
The pressure of meeting others in social settings has helped Lundberg overtime. Now she is able to branch out and not be as afraid to speak to other people.
“It has helped me connect with different people and make new friends,” Lundberg said.
These skills had not only helped in her soccer life, but her career as well.
“I am very talkative, I feel like I have good leadership qualities. I participate a lot in class and I help a lot,” Lundberg said.
Her leadership is not unnoticed by teachers and peers.
“She has a strong heart and I have seen her strive academically by always trying her best in her classes,” freshman Abby Behr said.
At CHS9, she was elected September Student of the Month.
“I was honestly kind of surprised, but I felt pretty accomplished and proud of myself that I got it,” Lundberg said.
Though times can get tough with other priorities and tasks when juggling her soccer career and academic life, especially challenging classes such as AP Human Geography.
“It is really a lot of work, I have to manage my time,” Lundberg said.
However, she still makes an effort to study as much as she can at study halls and home.
“If I knew it the day before it’s due, I’d do it. I try to get all of it done over the weekend and I try to study as much as I can,” Lundberg said.
Lundberg’s peers notice her hard work and dedication with academics and preserving in life.
“Academic wise she always puts school before anything,” freshman Layla Lampkin said. “She makes sure that her grades are good and she puts a lot of effort in her work and strives to be better in every aspect of life.”
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