Undergraduate / 'while playing soccer in the mud' - Activity essay for Commonapp [2]

Six years ago, while playing soccer in the mud-covered streets of Lagos, Nigeria, I discovered that soccer, in all of its complexities, is simply, the greatest game ever. Its complexities - the continuous running, yelling, marking, passing, and positioning - are all, literally, in order to achieve one goal. But in the moment of achievement of that one goal is relief and triumph, a feeling that has fueled my untiring love and led me to the Varsity squad of Classical High School's Boys soccer. However, at Classical it isn't the excitement that I cherish as a soccer player. It isn't the copious clean-sheets or last year's undefeated record that I value as a Defender on the soccer team. What I value, instead, is the leadership that I display on the field and in the locker-room - by guiding younger players through positive examples, and stimulating energy with my poorly organized "inspirational speeches". For me, at Classical it's not just about goals or standings, it's about leadership.