Meridian senior Sophia Brooks began playing soccer in kindergarten to follow in her three older brothers’ footsteps.
“We are all super competitive,” Brooks said. “It can get intense at times but we love supporting each other. They definitely made me tough and pushed me to get better. If they think I’m good, then that makes me want to prove I am great.”
Brooks plays center back for the Trojans girls soccer team. She also plays tennis and used to compete in the 400- and 800-meter events in track. In each of Brooks’ previous three soccer seasons, she has been named All-1A Northwest Conference and was the conference’s 2023 Defensive Player of the Year.
“I work really hard,” Brooks said. “If someone gets past me, I will hustle to get the ball back and not get beat. It can be stressful sometimes but super rewarding. You are making game-saving plays which is super fun.”
Last season, Brooks helped Meridian reach the 1A state tournament for the first time since 2016. The 12th-seeded Trojans lost 3-2 to La Center in the first round of the tournament.
The Trojans finished last season with an 11-6-1 record and allowed 1.3 goals against them per game, the best in the 1A NWC. Brooks believes she helped defensively because she is a hard-working player who tries to lead the team by example.
Although Brooks’ high school soccer career is nearly over, her soccer journey has helped her blossom as a person.
“Soccer has changed my life,” Brooks said. “I had really bad anxiety and soccer has become my therapy. When I am on the field, I don’t think about anything else. I just try to stop the ball and pass to my teammates.”
Brooks is looking forward to her senior season and supporting a younger squad make it to another state tournament.
“I want us to get to state again,” Brooks said. “We can do that by showing up and working hard. I would also love to be the Defensive Player of the Year again.”
Nick Zeller-Singh is CDN's sports reporter; reach him at nickzellersingh@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 104.
