Name: Rachel Schoss
Team: G02 NL
Number of Years at Copa: 7
HS: Scotch Plains Fanwood
HS Honors:County Championship, Conference Championship, High Honor Roll
Coaches at Copa: Coach Craig, Coach Yazo
College Attending: Virginia Wesleyan University
Conference: Old Dominion Conference
Anticipated Major: Undecided
Quote about a specific coach:
All the coaches at COPA have helped my teammates and myself try to be the best we possibly can be and would constantly help us push ourselves. This helped us get recruited at showcases.
What are your most memorable moments or experiences at FC Copa Academy?
My most memorable moment was playing in Florida at the ESPN complex for a showcase. That tournament, we played against some really good teams from across the country and I’ve always loved that tournament. Also, a memorable moment was last years Jefferson Cup because in the last game, the school I’m committed to watched me play and expressed an interest in me.
How did FC Copa Academy help you become the player you are today?
They have helped me become who I am today on and off the field. I came to COPA when I was in 4th grade. In my time here, I have really grown. All the coaches pushed me and helped me to develop my soccer skills from a young age.
How did FC Copa Academy help you get into the college program you will be attending?
FC COPA gives all their players the opportunity to be put in front of hundreds of college coaches at the showcases we attend. I was recruited at Jefferson cup by my future college coach. There are a lot of showcases that we attend that gave us the opportunity to be seen by a large number of college coaches.
Share your thoughts and experiences on the collegiate recruitment process with FC Copa Academy.
Coach Lori was always a big help with my college recruitment. She showed us what our emails should look like to college coaches and how we should contact them. This was a huge help for me. Coach Roberto and Coach Yazo also helped me with talking to schools and committing to Virginia Wesleyan University. This made my experience and recruitment process easy to handle.
What advice would you give to future FC Copa Academy athletes going through the collegiate recruitment process?
I would say talk to your COPA coaches and get them involved with your recruitment so youre all on the same page. Also, make sure you make your emails to college coaches stand out and make them remember you, so that they are more persuaded to watch you play at your tournament.