Florida Elite Soccer Academy AVERY PATTERSON Avery Patterson started playing soccer when she was 4 years old; she turned 15 in June. By the time you finish reading this, you’ll swear she has to be a lot older to have accomplished so much! She not only plays for the Florida Elite Soccer Academy 2001 Girls Elite, Avery is also a varsity soccer player at The Bolles School, where Matt Tracy (who is also a Florida Elite Soccer Academy coach) coaches her. While Avery is predominantly a center mid, Tracy says she likely could play any position because she is strong in all skill sets and has a very good intellectual understanding of the game. As far as her skills go, Tracy says, “Her technical ability and fitness level really separate her from others and make her extremely valuable to a team. With her high degree in both areas, she is extremely consistent with what she delivers every game. She understands moving off the ball to put herself in good positions to receive the ball and create attack for her team, which is extremely important as a center midfielder.” Vanja Trivuncic, Avery’s private trainer since 2010, says, “Her vision, one-onone ability, creativity, and her industry,” make her a valuable player to have. Her impact doesn’t stop with her athleticism. “She is not the loudest one, she isn’t the tallest one, but Avery’s presence is always known to her teammates and especially her opponents,” Coach Trivuncic explains. “Likewise, her absence is felt on the field as much as it is notable in the locker room.” Coach Tracy adds, “Her work ethic, competitive nature, and determination to succeed are really the things that stand out most in her being a leader. She doesn’t separate between games and practices — she brings her best all the time because she is constantly trying to get better, which is something coaches value in all players.” Tracy says Avery leads by example, fighting her hardest in an effort to help the team win. “Because she does these things with a sense of humility it tends to rub off more on other teammates, which makes it easier to push the level for everyone,” Tracy concludes. Avery’s soccer accomplishments include: U.S. Girls’ National Team Camps (March 2016; July 2016; October 2016); ODP National Training Camps (January 2016 and January 2017); U.S. Soccer Southeast Training Combine (February 2017); U.S. National Training Centers 2013-2017; ODP Region III Team Thanksgiving Inter-regionals 2016; ODP Florida State Team 2015-2016; varsity high school team starter as a freshman, The Bolles School (2016-17); Best Newcomer Award, The Bolles School, as freshman. She just completed her freshman year at The Bolles School with a 4.40 GPA. She is committed to her academics and especially enjoys studying Biology and Spanish. Avery also enjoys art classes and spends spare time drawing and painting. Finally, Avery loves going to the beach and watching her brother, Brady, play basketball.