Growing up in Nigeria, soccer, or football, was deeply ingrained in our culture. Although I didn't have the chance to play on a team there, my move to Boston at age 12 opened up a whole new world of opportunities. Initially, soccer seemed like a daunting sport, but when I joined my middle school co-ed team, I discovered a passion for improvement and teamwork. I was assigned the role of striker due to my speed on the field, and I relished the chance to score goals. Despite my initial reservations about co-ed soccer, I made the most of it. Our 8th-grade team reached the playoffs, even though we lost in the second round. I wasn't disheartened because I knew we would continue to hone our skills in high school. However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted my soccer journey, interrupting a year of progress. During the lockdown, I gained weight and neglected my training, believing that the world was coming to an end. Fortunately, I returned to school at the end of freshman year, determined to shed the weight I had gained. In the fall of my sophomore year, the soccer season finally began. It was a moment I had been waiting for, a chance to step back onto the field and do what I loved the most. To my surprise, many of my teammates from the middle school co-ed team had also returned to play. However, there was a significant twist—our coach was a math teacher who had never played a day of soccer in his life. This situation was far from ideal. I had always dreamed of playing under a coach who would push me to the limits of my ability, someone who would refine my skills and tactics. Instead, we had a math teacher who was as new to the sport as I had been when I first arrived in Boston. But we were determined to make the most of it. Under our math teacher's guidance, we trained rigorously. While he might not have had the technical knowledge of a seasoned soccer coach, he instilled in us the importance of discipline, teamwork, and determination. We didn't have elaborate tactics or strategies; we simply played the game with heart and dedication. One of the notable changes I observed was in my approach to the game. I realized that while having a coach with extensive knowledge was valuable, it wasn't the only path to success. Sometimes, it was about the sheer will to play, the determination to give our best on the field. I used my skills, honed through years of practice, to lead the league in goals. It was a personal achievement that brought a sense of accomplishment. However, our team's win-loss record