Credit: Sasha Libenzon

Junior Avery Umina runs after the ball, beating her opponent. Umina plays for FC Stars Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) Regional Blue Team.

Whether she’s kicking a ball for her club team or helping her high school secure victories throughout the season, junior Avery Umina can always be seen playing soccer. Starting her soccer career off in first grade, she is now traveling around the country for club tournaments hoping to catch the eye of college scouts.

This season is Umina’s third year on Wayland High School’s girls varsity soccer team. Although she has earned her spot on the team, Umina’s consistent practice throughout the offseason has led her to this spot.

“In the offseason I go to indoor club practice sessions about three or two days a week for an hour and a half, and I try to run and workout every day that I can,” Umina said.

Umina’s passion for soccer sparked from seeing her little sister, Olivia, play. Umina’s competitive fire took over and she felt the need to start playing and make it into a competition with her sister. Now, the two sisters join each other on the soccer field for the high school team.

“When Olivia started playing soccer I thought she was really good and as her older sister, I needed to be better than her at it,” Umina said. “I love playing soccer with her now, it’s so fun to be on the field with her.”

Umina also plays soccer for FC Stars Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) during the high school off season. Umina’s interest for the club started in third grade and has continued throughout her life. During that time, she has played for three different club teams. Playing for clubs offer the chance to travel around the country, and could present her with the opportunity that a college scout notices her talent.

“My club career started with the Valeo Club, which then turned into Real Boston but since my freshmen year of high school, I have been playing for FC Stars ECNL Regional blue team,” Umina said. “In the winter and spring, my club team travels to tournaments in different states so that college coaches can see us all play.”

Umina’s dedication throughout the season has not gone unnoticed. Umina’s coach, Edmund DeHoratius, has seen that Umina’s performance during games, is a result of her diligence and practice throughout the off season. In DeHoratius’s eyes, Umina is a leader on the field.

“Avery is a great combination of technical skill and hard work,” DeHoratius said. “She runs the midfield whether she is on the wing or the outside. I think Avery’s play is characterized by technical skill and hard work. I think she leads by example.”

Umina hopes that at one of her club tournaments she can impress a college recruiter. For Unima, it’s not the actual playing that drives her to want to play in college, but it’s the memories she has made and the happiness the sport has brought her throughout her years of playing.

“I want to continue my soccer career in college because of how much joy this sport has brought me and the friendships that [have] come along with it over the years,” Umina said. “Some of my favorite memories are with my high school team and the girls I have been playing with since the seventh grade.”