“Family matters to me. I have a twin brother named Edward. He is older than me by a minute and a half. We share the same middle and last names in Chinese. He used to play soccer but had to stop for health reasons. Even so, we still push each other and stay close. That support helps me on hard days.
“I am a center mid who sometimes plays on the wing, and I am from Wuhan, China. My mom and I were looking for a school where I could study in the United States and still grow in soccer. She found Northwood online and emailed the coach. That message changed everything for me. I came here not only to play, but also to learn how to live more independently and prepare for college.
“This season, my favorite moments are simple ones in the middle of the field. I like when I scan early, check to the ball, and see a runner start to move. If I can slip a pass into space and hear my teammate call for it, that is the best feeling. It is not always a goal or an assist. Sometimes it is just the rhythm of moving the ball and trusting each other.
“My playing style is steady and team-first. I try to connect, play, keep the ball, and do the running that helps us stay organized. I am working on being more direct in the final third. In training, I focus on first touch, quick decisions, and communication. The unglamorous part is sending emails, watching film, and keeping my legs fresh for the next session.
“The hardest challenge this year was the college process. At first, it felt big and confusing. You have to write to many people and wait for replies. It got better after I pushed myself to reach out more and talk to coaches and mentors. Putting in that effort taught me that results come after the work, not before.
“My favorite part of Northwood is the small community. You build real friendships with people you see in class, on the field, and around campus. It makes it easy to talk, ask for help, and feel at home. For a new student who wants to play here, my advice is simple: give your effort every day, pay attention to the small things, and you will have no regrets when you look back.”
As told to Jacob Slagel ’26. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.
