The day before the first day of school marks a busy day for many students. What color notebook should I buy? Which outfit gives the best first impression? What time do I need to wake up tomorrow? What should I bring for lunch tomorrow? However, junior Ella McNeal spent the day deciding which side of the country to move to. On Aug. 17, 2025, McNeal took to Instagram to formally announce her verbal commitment to continue both her academic and athletic careers at Clemson University in South Carolina. This announcement makes McNeal the first member of the Parkway West Class of 2027 to pursue a collegiate athletic career.

McNeal, who began her soccer career at just 18 months, has since spent the majority of her nearly 15-year soccer career as a goalie with St. Louis Scott Gallagher Soccer Club. McNeal’s team first began playing in the highly competitive Elite Club National League (ECNL)  when McNeal was 12. Later on, McNeal was selected to participate with the U14, U15, U16 and U17 United States Youth National Teams (USYNT).

“[I’m grateful ] to grow with [my] team, because we’ve been together since we were [around] four years old. We’ve been through everything together. [My team is] the second place I could call home,” McNeal said. “One of my best friends on the team [is also going to Clemson]. We’ve [played] together since we were seven years old, so it’s good for me and her to go together because we know how to play with each other and adapt to changes.”

Since McNeal first began with the USYNT, she’s traveled with the team across the globe, including playing in Costa Rica and Germany.

“I went to Germany, [where there is] a seven-hour time difference, so I wasn’t able to talk to my parents that much. Being independent at a far distance has helped prepare me for college, because I’ve done it before. [Being on the USYNT]  has been super fun and a great opportunity to honor my country in such a good and positive way,” McNeal said.

Sometimes spending over 15 hours a week at soccer, McNeal relies on the support of her teammates, family and friends.

“[McNeal] is one of my best friends and I support her no matter what,” junior Noor Hacking said. “I help make sure she knows that she is never alone. I always text her [after her games] to make sure she’s okay. I give her reassurance and make sure she knows that she’s a good athlete. [I tell her] she can do anything she puts her mind to.”

Although she has the support of her peers, McNeal has taken individual initiative, especially in contacting college coaches. Starting from her freshman year of high school, McNeal reached out to a multitude of college coaches, sometimes experiencing unpredictability.

“[I wasn’t always set on Clemson]. My dream school was Stanford [University], but someone committed there two days into the process. [Stanford University’s coaches] texted me and said they already had someone, [so] I moved on. I wasn’t too upset about it because God is always working in mysterious ways. He knows what he’s doing, so you just have to trust his path and trust his plan,” McNeal said.

Regardless of the circumstances, McNeal committed to Stanford University’s Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) counterpart, Clemson University.

“I am ready for a big restart in my life. In my case, that starts with going far and being independent,“ McNeal said. “[Clemson] is in the ACC, which is what I’ve always wanted to be in. I feel like it was a place I’d be able to easily adapt to without having to change too much about myself,” McNeal said.

Collegiate soccer is just the beginning for McNeal’s aspirations. McNeal has been invited to many National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) identification camps with a myriad of teams.

“I have always pushed myself to be one of the best, and to finally be able to have myself and others notice is the best feeling one could ask for,” McNeal said. “I definitely want to go pro. I want to stay in the US and play with the NWSL. It would be such an amazing opportunity. [I have to remind myself], if you have a goal: go for it.”