Page 35 - Sports Illustrated for Kids Magazine (December 2019)

telling her how to before the event, and they brought little gifts for the girls
It’s amazing to get better.” and at the tournament they cheered for them.”
Adds Rich, “She was Ally has spoken twice, at coaches’ requests, to younger
have someone like, ‘Now I see what it athletes about her soccer journey, first at her club and
takes.’ It was one of those then to around 100 girls at an Olympic Development
with that talent moments that lit a fire Program camp. She created a Power Point presentation
under her even more.” for the occasions. Ally volunteers every weekend that
who has [her] she’s in town with either a Boys & Girls Club Challenger
GOING FOR Sports program or the Special Olympics Young Athletes
ability to be HER GOALS program, which both offer athletic opportunities to kids

The national team kept with intellectual disabilities.
so selfless and inviting Ally back. “Her Ally enjoys giving back, and she’s also benefited from
rate of progression from USWNT players wanting to do the same: She’s had a
so humble,” that point is conference call with Mallory Pugh and Lindsey Horan,
phenomenal,” says U-17 and she’s exchanged emails with fellow Hanson native
says Lima. coach Tracey Kevins, who Samantha Mewis, who attended the same middle school
began with the U-15 program. that she did. (“I remember in history class once I got a
“She’s had that very distinct drive textbook and inside it said sam mewis, and I was like,
to want to get better in all areas.” Whoa. I’m keeping this book forever,” says Ally.)
That drive is evident at Thayer, where Ally’s long-term goal, of course, is to follow in their
Ally started off this semester with straight footsteps, and she seizes every opportunity she can to
A’s. Her national team commitments mean that find out how to improve her recovery and her mental and
she misses one to two weeks of school at a time. “I physical strength. “Ally’s self-regulation and ability to take
still see her and see all of her teachers,” says Amy responsibility off the field really stands out in our
Hawkins, a middle-school math teacher at Thayer who program,” says Kevins. “Every challenge we put in front of
was Ally’s eighth-grade advisor. “Her teachers are saying her, no matter how hard it is, she continues to hurdle that
she’s a dream come true. Anytime she’s away, the work is challenge. I would not bet against her playing for our
done, and it’s done to perfection.” women’s team.”
Ally, who is 5' 3", embraces the challenges that come First, however, Ally will try to make the squad that will
with playing against athletes who are bigger and older. attempt to qualify for the U-17 2020 Women’s World Cup,
She scored two goals in two games against England with which will take place in India in November. “I just love
the U-18 team this past February. “She’s come up against being part of a team,” she says. “Just to be able to play the
some 5' 11", 6-foot center backs, and she’s been undaunted game I love so much with them means the world to me.”

in taking them on and holding up the ball under severe Ally and her U-17 teammates frequently text on a
pressure,” says Kevins. group chat and FaceTime, and they were especially
In holding her own against those athletes, she excited to watch the Women’s World Cup final this
earns the respect of her peers. “Her leadership is summer. “We just had such
something we’re really impressed with,” says HEAD IN a fun time talking about the
Kevins, whose staff selected Ally as one of three THE GAME game because we know a
rotating captains for the U-17 team. “It’s not easy to Ally was the little about what those
youngest of four
lead a group that are all older than you. That says women go through and
finalists for
something about you as a player.” U.S. Soccer’s what they have to do to get
Lima saw it at South Shore Select, when 2018 Young Female there,” she says.
13-year-old Ally suggested a big sister–little Player of the Year. For now, Ally will
sister program centered around important continue playing for Lima
tournaments. “She came to me and was like, in the development academy at South
‘Hey, I want to do this for my Shore Select, where she’s a celebrity
teammates,’ ” recalls Lima. “She of sorts. “So many young girls do
paired everyone with a younger look up to her. I can’t wait to see what
player. They got to ask she does,” says Lima. “To have someone
JEFFERY A. SALTER questions, talk about things you want your little girl to grow up to see.” n
like her have the success that she’s having
and hopefully will continue to have, it’s what
they were excited about.
They had follow-ups right

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