Ties Ponsioen

My Soccer Background

I am a smart soccer player with good tactical insight on the field. As a central defender I like to have the game in front of me, because my ability to control and dictate the speed of the game. One of my strengths is my excellent positioning. Additionally, I am a very intense player who is willing to give everything on the field and even throw my whole body in front of the ball to prevent a goal. Sliding tackles are also one of my strong points. With the ball, I remain calm and like to play my way out of pressure. For a central defender, I am also quite fast, and I have a good weak foot. Lastly, my role as captain is very important. As a player, I am someone who provides a lot of positive coaching on the field.

I started playing soccer at the age of 4 at HC&FC Victoria in Loosdrecht. I was quickly recognised as a good player, so after one and a half year, I was moved up to a higher age category. When I was six years old, I was scouted by FC Utrecht, but after a few training sessions I wasn't selected. A year later, I was scouted by FC Utrecht again. At the age of 11, I was scouted once more, but this time by the regional selection team of the KNVB. Lastly, when I was 15, I was scouted by the Twente/Heracles academy and even played a game with them. At Victoria, I always played in the first team of my age group and often played with teams one or even two years older. Last year, I also started training with Victoria's first team and was sometimes selected to play in a friendly match. At the end of the season, as a 17-year-old youth player, I made my official debut for the first team. Since the U8 team, I have been the captain of my team up until now in the U19. I have always played on the divisional level and with these teams, we have won many (international) tournaments and become champions many times.

Why I want to play College Soccer

I want to play soccer in America, because it's a great way to play at a very high level while also combining it with school. Soccer is my biggest passion, and I have always wanted to play at a higher level than I did in the Netherlands. Additionally, it is an amazing experience and a great opportunity to develop myself both as a player and a person. For example, being able to speak a second language fluently and getting to know new cultures are things that I can benefit from throughout my whole life.

My goal with the team is, of course, to become champions, but also to have an amazing time. I want to achieve this by becoming a better soccer player than I already am and by meeting people who will become lifelong friends. Additionally, I want to perform well academically at the university and learn things that will be important for me for the future.