We’re all familiar with how dominant our women’s soccer team is at California State University, Stanislaus; what you may not be familiar with is their freshman superstar forward Jade Poon.
This high-scoring machine of a player has scored nine goals over the first six games of the season. By the time you read this column she will have probably added to that total.
Poon’s journey to CSU Stanislaus started when she was just four years old. Growing up in a household with four older siblings, all of whom played soccer, it was difficult to not to get hooked.
“By the time I was four, my dad had already started coaching me,” Poon said. “That lasted until I was 15.”
When it finally came time to start applying to colleges, there was only one place Poon wanted to take her talents, CSU Stanislaus. A major influence on her decision was her older sister who had also attended CSU Stanislaus.
“After seeing what my sister experienced here I wanted the same kind of experience,” Poon said. “I wanted to follow in my sister’s footsteps.”
Poon’s play thus far in an early 2014 season has been nothing short of jaw-dropping. After tallying up two consecutive California Collegiate Athletic Association Player of the Week awards, she has yet to let her foot off the gas pedal.
Through all the goals and the awards, Poon has remained humble and never put herself above the team.
“I want to recognize all the hard work the team is putting in, both inside and outside of practice, to get to where we are today,” Poon said. “It’s only just the beginning.”