Sapulpa’s Abby Admire
Photo by Lisa Korb Photography
Ask anyone who understands the game of soccer which is the toughest position to play and the likely answer you will receive in goalie. It takes a special kind of athlete to stand in goal and defend against attackers. The agility, quickness, willingness to give up your body and the instincts are all requirements to be good at the job.
Sapulpa High School’s Abby Admire is right at home in goal for the Lady Chieftains.
“I am currently a sophomore and I started playing soccer when I was four,” Admire said. “I feel like my strength is diving but I’ve been working on coming out more on crosses.”
With any team sport, you need teammates to do their job as well in order for the team to be successful. Admire said she loves her teammates and their willingness to battle it out on the field.
“I love how my teammates and I are so close. We are our own family. Everyone is nice to each other, and we cheer each other on,” Admire said. “I have been super impressed with my current teammate, Katie Schmidt. She is one of the hardest working people I know. Katie puts in extra work by herself after practice and on the weekends. She never gives up.”
Even when things are hard or not going well, someone finds a way to pick everyone up.
“Sofia Perez never fails to put a smile on everyone’s faces. Her quick wittiness always keeps us laughing. Besides myself, I’d have to say Kailey Asher is the most serious. She comes to practice every day focused and ready to play,” said Admire.
But being in goal requires a different mindset and mentally preparing for competition can set the tone for your game. A fact not lost on Admire.
“To prepare myself for a game, I don’t really listen to music. I have to mentally prepare and pump myself up with words of affirmation,” said Admire.
The sophomore was honored last season with several post season awards and said she owes a big thank you to her mother.
“The accomplishments I am most proud of are making ECNL, being named Tulsa All-World Honorable Mention, and All-District Honorable Mention as a freshman,” Admire said. “I’d say the person who inspires me the most is my mom. She pushes me to be my best on and off the field. My mom has been my biggest cheerleader for as long as I can remember. She rarely misses my games.”
After high school, Admire plans to play soccer at the collegiate level and study sports medicine.
“My dream job would be to work for a professional sports team.”
