Wingspan: When did you start soccer?

Clerkin: “I started soccer when I was 4-years-old.”

Wingspan: Who encouraged you to start soccer?

Clerkin: “My mom encouraged me to play soccer because my older sister played and she was the coach of my first team.”

Wingspan: What is the hardest part about soccer?

Clerkin: “The hardest part is being confident in yourself and your skill and not panicking under pressure.”

Wingspan: What’s your favorite part about your sport?

Clerkin: “My favorite part is my teammates and rooming with them when we go out of town for games.”

Wingspan: Who is your biggest role model?

Clerkin: “My biggest role model is my former coach, Jason, because he was the first coach I had that really cared about his players’ improvement and made me the player I am today.”

Wingspan: What is one thing people think about soccer that isn’t actually true?

Clerkin: “People may think that soccer is not that popular of a sport, and while it is not the top sport in the U.S., soccer is by far the most played sport in the world.”

Wingspan: Do you have any superstitions?

Clerkin: “When I play I always have to have pre-wrap on and I always start my warm ups with inside of the foot volleys.” 

Wingspan: Do you have a pre game routine?

Clerkin: “I normally listen to music and focus on what I need to do for that particular game.”