Roll Tide: Senior commits to Alabama soccer team

During the game vs. Monta Vista on Dec. 6, senior center back Sasha Pickard dodged opponents and booted in a goal for the Falcons.

Through moments such as this on the soccer pitch, Pickard placed herself on the radar of many college coaches. Recently, Pickard accepted an athletic scholarship from the University of Alabama to play for its Division I soccer team.

Although she received offers from schools such as Loyola Marymount University, New York University, New Mexico State University, University of San Francisco and Brown University, she finally decided on University of Alabama because she said it suits many of her personal interests.

“It’s a big school with a real college town feel, and I loved the campus and the intense school spirit everyone had,” she said. “They also have great opportunities for their athletes and they’re a Division I program, which I really felt was right for me because I love the game.”

For Pickard, the journey into the world of soccer began when she was 3 years old and her energetic nature led her parents to put her into soccer classes. As she played, it became her passion.

“I love being a part of a team that you have to work for, as well as the challenge of facing great players, and just being able to step onto the field and get a release from everything else going on in life,” she said.

As she progressed through more competitive levels, Pickard started to go to soccer showcases. After participating in these events for a couple of years, she added onto her experience in the game by joining the girls’ varsity soccer team during her freshman year, a key moment in her soccer career.

“[Joining varsity my freshman year] was such a great opportunity to be on a team with older players,” she said. “The team definitely helped me improve a lot because playing in high school exposes you to different player types than what you encounter during club season.”

Pickard also trained with her coach Ben Maxwell outside of school in his program, called Player One.

Along the way, Pickard emailed the coaches of prospective colleges to express her interest in playing college soccer for them.

Although the recruiting process resulted in Pickard  getting offers from multiple Division 1 programs, she acknowledged that this entire process could not have succeeded without perseverance and perspiration on her part.

For other players who are interested in playing college level soccer, Pickard thinks it is imperative for them to handle any rejections they get in a positive manner by working to make themselves a better player.

“Soccer recruiting is a time-consuming process and you have to continue to be optimistic in the process despite failures or disinterest from coaches,” she said.

Her efforts to reach out to colleges, combined with successful play at camps, drew interest from coaches from the University of Alabama. They came to watch her play during soccer showcases in November, talking to Pickard and her coach after her performances. Pickard and the Alabama coaches later arranged for her to come visit the  Tuscaloosa campus.

During the tour, Pickard was able to visit its facilities, as well as meet students and faculty. Shortly afterward, Pickard made the decision that this campus would be her home for the next four years.

“It’s been my dream to play college soccer for as long as I can remember and I’m so happy it’s finally happening and I get to spend the next four years playing soccer for a school I love!” Pickard said.

For now, she remains a key player on the varsity  team as the Falcons progress through the preseason. The girls recently played The Kings Academy and emerged victorious with a score of 2-1 on Dec. 8. Previously, they won 4-0 against Monta Vista on Dec. 6, tied with Burlingame High 1-1 on Dec. 1 and fell short to Christopher High 1-0 on Nov. 27 for an overall non-conference record of 2-1-1.

Due to printing deadlines, the Falcon could not report on the Dec. 12 game against Notre Dame.