Friday’s soccer tournament was a bust with a loss of 3-0 against Del Valle, but Saturday the team came back against Austin with a score of 11-0. Mikaila Childs scored the last two winning goals to put the girls in the final round that afternoon.  Hot and sweaty, she had marked off another goal out of the ten she wants to make this season. Making goals, friends and laughs is how this girl spends her weekends.

“My sophomore year I began playing an offensive position and doubted myself a lot on my ability to score,” Childs said. “I ended up scoring two goals in our first tournament, and this year I scored five goals in one tournament at the same place.”

Childs has set goals for herself while she plays this year. While not every game is a win, this girl doesn’t let that stop her from trying her best.

“I hated it here, I wanted to move back to Killeen so badly,” Childs said. “I didn’t bond with anyone. Although now I am happy I didn’t move again because I met a lot of good people and learned a lot about myself.”

Childs started playing soccer in seventh grade and soon moved her freshman year from Killeen, Texas to Fredericksburg, Texas. It was a hard transition, but she soon grew to love it here and was glad she decided to stay.

“I didn’t feel too good about playing here,” Childs said. “The girls were a lot better than me and were closer with each other.”

Moving from such a big city with lots of people to a small town where everyone knows everyone was a big step. She didn’t know anyone when she had first moved here, but she soon grew to make friends and challenge herself while playing. The girls took her in as part of the team and made her fit right in.

“No one in my family really plays soccer besides me,” Childs said. “I really got into it on my own and I have been playing for about five years now.”

She also joined two different soccer clubs which she plays for on weekends. One is in Fredericksburg called The Burg and the other is Crush which she plays for in Kerrville, Texas. These two teams have really helped her with her skills and how to make connections with people.

“Soccer makes me relieve a lot of stress and allows me to have a drive to keep going no matter what,” Childs said. “It has helped me open up more and to not give up on something I have set my heart to.”

When she plays, that’s her time, and her eye is on the ball. While playing it feels like nothing else seems to matter and she is in her own world. You can’t just give up on your team in the middle of a game so this makes her really push.

“It’s an easy way to make friends and keep yourself fit,” Childs said, “but if your heart isn’t into it,then don’t do it.”

Sports in high school can create lots of bonds that can last a life time. Childs and her best friend Alexandra Martinez do everything on and off the field. Without soccer the pair would have never made such a close connection like they have.

“I do love soccer, but it’s something I will leave in high school,” Childs said. “It’s not something I see myself doing. I’d rather start a career in nursing and be able to stay in one place.”