Personal Statement

Hi, my name is Michael Lescano, I am a 5’11 160 lbs. from Union, NJ and currently a senior at Saint Benedict’s Prep, Newark NJ, home of the now 2015 national soccer champion. I have been playing soccer since my father and senior level trainers from Harrison, NJ 7 years old mentored me. I chose to play as a goalkeeper at the age of nine, however from a very young age, my father always said, “you are a soccer player first, then you’re a keeper”. Those words instilled in head, I learned to play with my feet and then moved unto using my hands.

That style of playing is what prepared me to be accepted into various select programs throughout my young age. I was select into the New Jersey Olympic development program. I was part of the Red Bulls development program discovered and privately trained by Andrew Sparks. Played for NJSA04 (now known as NJCSA) Pre-academy and ultimately the U16 Academy. I was accepted to participate in an England tournament where we versed Manchester City, Leicester City, and Everton. We received goalkeeper training by Liverpool Fc coach and was recognized as “the player to watch” throughout the tourney. This 2015/2016 season, I chose to play for my school in order to help them win their 10 time national championship, by doing so, I gave up my roster spot in a USSDA team. No regrets, I gave back to the school that has done so much for me. I will be playing this spring season for CedarStar Academy 2015 national champions and will be attending high-level tourney/showcases.

My greatest assets are my skills are leadership qualities, my footwork, reading the game and breakdown the opponents attack and verbalizing my thoughts throughout the entire game. I am 100% workhorse and will work hard for the school that gives me the opportunity to show them what I can do for them.

I am looking to pursuing a career in physical therapy and sport management while at the same time contributing to the university’s soccer program and community. I am planning for the future and hoping to use my career to stay within the sport that has done so much for me. In order to achieve this level of success I know my grades must be at the highest standards. I believe I have done that by maintaining a 3.20 GPA while being a full time athlete, being a school leader, admissions leader, and catholic community group leader. My goal is to attend a university where I am able to provide the best support when it comes to the school and community.

The university I hope to attend is a school that can use my abilities and talents to the fullest potential in order to make the school and soccer program succeed. My school (St. Benedict’s Prep) is not a school where students are educated into becoming an academic robot. We are taught to be well-rounded students by excelling in the classroom, community and in life itself. Not many schools have a system like this and that is why I feel I am a diamond in the rough when it comes to being recruited. I look forward to hearing from you.

School: http://www.sbp.org

School Soccer program:

http://www.sbp.org/soccer/10thStar

School Soccer program news links ranked #1:

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/3541997349526482546/blair-0-at-st-benedicts-1-prep-a-tournament-final-round-boys-soccer/

http://usatodayhss.com/rankings/expert/boys/soccer/2015/11

http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/high-school-soccer/national-team-rankings/men/fall-2015/5007

http://www.nscaa.com/rankings/4911/Fall/men/National/Poll10