As I got older the town league was not enough. Sure I made a lot of new friends, amazing coaches, got a lot of experience, and my love for the sport grew dramatically. But as a player, it simply was not enough anymore. I decided to look around at the different club teams located in Southern New Hampshire. After participating in a summer soccer camp, I was asked to join a travel team call Cobras. It took a lot of consideration but I finally decided to join the club team.

At first it seemed like the perfect fit, the club was succeeding in its tournaments/games and the club was well known. Our team was big, strong, and had a wide variety of players. The only down fault was with a large team means less playing time. For me as a player, it all changed. I began to question if being a goalie was really what I wanted. In practice I began feeling out the different positions. Despite wanting to be a striker my coach thought the best fit for the team was defense. I had the speed to get back, the lack of fear for physical contact, and a defensive mentality. The changes of the line up made our team unbeatable and boy was it a great feeling. After an amazing season, it all began it change.

The next season we were all in for a rude awakening. Well, at least the players who came back were. The Cobras club was truly falling apart and it was only a matter of time before it began affecting the players. Recruiting was unsuccessful and the number of players who returned was even fewer. Our once large team, was now struggling to play an 11 person game. Winning was not a feeling we felt often anymore. We were working harder, getting less recognition, and feeling more exhaustion.

It is easy to say that changing my position was the best thing that came from this club team.