The whistle blows, and senior Emma Stone dribbles the ball up the field. Dodging defender after defender, Stone works her way up to the goal. She shoots, and scores! Earlier this month, Stone committed to play NCAA Division III soccer at Westminster College in Fulton, Mo. 

Stone grew up playing soccer; she began at St. Louis Scott Gallagher Soccer Club and later moved to Lou Fusz Athletic, where she played in the Girls Academy ASPIRE league. Her father was her coach for most of her club soccer career, motivating her to continue playing. 

“It was confusing when everyone’s teams started splitting up. [However, through club soccer],  I met my family and my best friends. Overall, I had a good experience with both [clubs],” Stone said.

Stone is also a four-year varsity member of the Parkway West girls’ soccer team. However, Stone wasn’t able to play every season. In fact, in her junior year, she suffered a torn ligament in her ankle. She had surgery and took six months to recover.

“Some of the biggest challenges [include] going from my dad being my coach to him not coaching me anymore, because it was just like a very different environment without him there,” Stone said. “I learned to adjust, and it all worked out very well. I’ve had to get surgery, and it was really hard to overcome, but I’m back playing, and it’s all the same.”

Stone is one of three seniors on the varsity girls’ soccer team committed to compete in collegiate athletics. Senior Kathryn Hardy will attend Murray State University, and senior Margaret Leahy will attend Rockhurst University. 

In the future, Stone plans to go into the sports healthcare field; however, she is currently undecided. At Westminster College, Stone hopes to find a balance between academics and sports. 

“[My advice for others going through the recruiting process is to] just be patient. Let it happen to you. Don’t try to force anything. Putting yourself out there is the best thing you can do, and just wait and see what comes for you,” Stone said.