Personal Statement

I am a 5'10 Center Back and Central Midfielder from San Diego, CA.  I currently play club soccer for DMCV Sharks (ECNL) and attend La Jolla High School.

I have received an exciting invitation to a Spanish soccer academy that would allow me to retain my D1 eligibility in order to return for the 2025 recruiting class if needed. 

In the summer of 2022 I was part of a memorable season ending in a win in the GA National Championship game.  My then Albion SC team had an exceptional goal differential and our defense allowed the fewest goals in GA.  I played alongside multiple USWNT youth players and many other exceptional teammates and as a result competed with and against the top level of players in my age group.  Our team trained like dedicated professionals and overcame every obstacle thrown at us.  We are prepared for the next level.  Additionally, I have had the privilege to play for the Armenian U-17 National Team and compete internationally in UEFA qualifying matches in Luxembourg. This August I was selected and invited to play for the Senior team in an International friendly vs Israel in mid-September.

I’ve grown in many ways these last couple of years and the road to that Championship and National team selection taught me a variety of lessons.  As a three-sport athlete (Varsity indoor and beach volleyball and soccer), I've learned to manage my time, take care of my body and have developed a competitive grit.

As a soccer player, i'm fortunate to have an uncommon blend of height, athleticism, coordination and foot work/speed.  As a Center Back, i've focused on my technical abilities and game sense.  On a team that emphasized possession, I was able to become an accomplished distributor out of the back with clean passes to an open player.  I am also effective in the air both defensively and offensively.  Overall,  i've been successful at stopping top forwards from making an impact and also being part of a low turn over / high possession offense.  And as much as I love coming forward for set plays near the opposing goal, I highly value working with my back line to shut out the other team and help my keeper get a clean sheet.  I feel like i'm just scratching the surface of my soccer development.

This last high school season, I played central midfield and really had to develop and refine some skills in order to effectively help my team.  By the end of the season, I had significantly evolved as a player and was one of the team leaders in assists and goals.  More importantly, our team won league by going undefeated but lost in the sectional semi-finals in PKs.  It was obviously a tough result but I grew my game technically and tactically and am very excited to bounce back for my senior season and be part of a team effort to win the title.

As a person, what I enjoy most about soccer in addition to the personal development and competition is the camaraderie I form with my teammates.  Few people can understand the time and energy I've committed to my team and game, so my teammates with whom I've trained, suffered, recovered and celebrated hold a special place in my life.  Sports have taught me valuable life lessons; Discipline, judgement, disappointment and joy.  It's forced me to mature and learn perspective and it has provided me with personal fulfillment, self-confidence and unforgettable moments of happiness.  I want to continue on this path in College and enthusiastically add to a soccer program that wants to raise the bar on and off the field. 

Tahlia Zadeyan

La Jolla High School

Class of 2024

Varsity Soccer

Co-Captain

Central Midfield

Undefeated League Champs

All-League and Academic Selection

For reference:

LJHS Varsity Soccer Coach

Austin Mobley

909-810-7561

austin@lajollasoccer.org

DMCV Sharks Soccer Coach

Cris Lewis

206-369-3937

clewis@dmcvsharks.com

Soccer Profile:

Personal Statement Video: https://youtu.be/RGdbPOxbMmw

Soccer Highlight Videos:  https://recruit-match.ncsasports.org/clientrms/athletes/7569836

      https://www.fieldlevel.com/app/profile/tahlia.zadeyan/soccerwomen  - includes Coaching Evaluation

Instagram: tahli_zadeyan.soccer

Articles: https://www.lajollalight.com/news/story/2023-02-13/energy-on-the-field-la-jolla-high-girls-soccer-team-heads-to-cif-playoffs

https://www.lajollalight.com/news/story/2022-10-26/la-jolla-athlete-of-the-week-tahlia-zadeyan-blends-heritage-with-love-for-soccer-in-european-tournament