Allison Blumenthal 

Mrs. Wold 

ERWC/ Period 5 

February 24, 2020 

Integrity Essay- The game of soccer 

Soccer has been one of the biggest, if not the biggest, parts of my life for the past seventeen years. 

Having played soccer for thirteen of those seventeen, I have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly of both 

people and myself. However, soccer has taught me so much about those people and myself. From lifelong 

friendships to my love for the game, soccer has shaped me into the person I am today. Learning 

self-discipline, hard work, mistakes, and failures make you a better person, and communication on the soccer 

field has made my life off the field one that I am proud of. I can compare my life to the game of soccer, 

because of the aspects that the game has taught me and my whole experience with the sport. 

The field lines are what give the game structures allowing the players to learn and succeed. The 

structure of my life is my family. From a very early age, my parents have supported me, encouraged me, 

taught me everything I know today. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be the person I am today. They have 

supported every decision I have made, the right and wrong ones encouraged me to be the best version of 

myself no matter what situation I am in, and have taught me morals and independence to care through life. I 

can't thank them enough for providing the stepping stone for me being my biggest role model. My sister and 

I have always been best friends and are always there for one another. We might get into small, irrelevant 

fights but she will always be my first best friend and that would never change. The structure of a soccer field 

is everlasting, just like my family. We will always be there for one another and be each other's biggest 

cheerleaders. 

The players are what gives soccer its style. Each and every player has their own, unique style of play 

which makes the game so fun to play. Every soccer player is taught the basic principles to the game, however, 
put their own twist on them and create this unique game that is so unlike the basics. The style in my life is 

my friends and teammates. Each one is so different and unique that they bring different parts to my life that I 

truly need. Although I need my alone time some days, they know how to make me smile and always brighten 

my day no matter what. I love going through all the different stages of life with them and could never 

imagine life without them. My teammates are like my second sister. I spend so much time with them from 

traveling to other states to compete in tournaments to practice 4 nights a week with games on the weekend. 

Every day my life is different but exciting because of the style that my friends and teammates bring to my life, 

just like every game is different because of the different styles that the players bring to the game.  

The cohesion of soccer is the ball itself, without the ball, there is no sport. The cohesion of my life is 

my drive and passion. Not only my drive and passion for the game of soccer but my drive and passion for life. 

I am driven in every aspect of my life, even the little things and my passion to keep living and to keep 

learning and exploring what life has instore. My passion and drive are the cohesion in my life because it 

allows me to connect all aspects of my life together just like the soccer ball keeps the game connected.  

The strength of the soccer field is the referee. The referee is always there to protect the player and 

lay the foundation of soccer. The strength in my life is the gym and going to practice. The gym and practice 

allow me to clear my head and don't allow me to get all caught up in the things going on in my life. It 

protects me from getting overwhelmed and gives me an outlet to relieve stress. My coach and trainer allow 

practice and the gym to give me strength by pushing me to become my best and to reach all of the goals that I 

have set for myself. The strength of the soccer field is the referee just like practice and the gym are the 

strengths in my life.  

The durability of soccer is the field itself. The turf or grass of the field will always be there, forever. 

The durability in my life is my motivation to become a better student, athlete, and person. I have always had 

the motivation to become a better version of myself but through high school, I have seen it the most. 

Challenging myself with AP classes, switching soccer clubs to give me better opportunities and improve my 
play, and become more well rounded and start to explore career options. I have always had the foundation 

that school is important but it wasn't till I started the college process that I truly believed that. Driving to Del 

Mar 4 days a week for practice straight from school, waking up at 4:45 am to go to the gym before school 3 

days a week, and traveling the country for college visits and tournaments have motivated me to become the 

athlete that I am today. Learning the best version of myself through all of the high school drama and different 

situations has really motivated me to stay true to who I am and always uphold my morals. The durability of 

my life is my motivation to become a better person, athlete and student is just the durability that the soccer 

field itself gives the game of soccer.game has taught me and my whole experience with the sport. 

In the game of soccer, the coach is what gives the game direction. In my life, my schooling and life 

experiences are what give me direction. From my teacher in kindergarten to all of my senior year teachers, 

each one has helped me find my purpose in the world. Great Oak has allowed me to find the path that I want 

to take to get me where I want to end up. The tools have always been there and I couldn't be more thankful. 

The experiences that I have learned from within my life has also given me direction. Wanting to become a 

law enforcement officer after college, I was presented with the opportunity to become an undercover decoy. I 

get to experience what I would possibly be doing one day and I couldn't be more thankful for the 

opportunity. After every operation, I leave so amazed that they get to do this on a day to day basis and can’t 

wait to be at that point in my life so soon. My schooling and life experiences have given me direction just like 

a coach gives the game of soccer direction.