Youth club:
AYSO United (CA)
Youth league:
USYS National League Elite 64
Janelle Torres
graduation:
2025
I began my journey playing with dolls, but that changed after I dribbled a soccer ball with my dad at the age of three. By four, I joined the Jamboree program at AYSO Palmdale 393. After winning several championships in recreational leagues, my parents recognized I needed a greater challenge and transitioned me to competitive soccer with AYSO United SoCal. By ten, I realized my lifelong goal: to play collegiate soccer. I know it will be challenging, but my determination, ambition, and drive to succeed keep my focus steady.
Recognizing my love for soccer at such a young age accelerated the development of my soccer IQ. I naturally began to anticipate plays and deliver calculated assists, earning “Player of the Match” multiple times. My ball control makes me stand out on the pitch, and I can confidently say it’s one of the first things people notice about me. My leadership and communication skills often earn me the captain’s role, where I set an example and support my teammates. While I am passionate about soccer, I know there’s always room for improvement. I am a coachable player known for setting the game’s tempo, whether I’m playing forward or midfield—my footwork does the work.
As a sophomore in 2022-2023, I returned stronger and, under a new coach, earned the Captain’s badge on the Girls’ Varsity Soccer Team. We finished third in the league, and I personally secured spots on the All-Golden League First Team and as Offensive Player of the Year. My stats spoke volumes, leading the Golden League CIF Southern Section in:
– Goals – 34
– Assists – 18
– Points – 86
In the 2021-2022 season, I was one of 52 players nationwide selected by AYSO United SoCal for the National Invitational Camp at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, which opened my eyes to the dream of becoming an Olympic athlete. In August 2022, I was promoted to play in Elite 64 as a forward and midfielder with the US Youth National Soccer League. I was also named Player of the Year for AYSO United AV 2022-2023.
In April 2023, Coach Erick Acuna Jubis from El Salvador’s technical team noticed my soccer-focused social media profile during tryout season. After reviewing additional videos of my performance, I was invited to the El Salvador National Women’s U17 camp. It was an exciting but nerve-wracking experience—I am fluent in English and Spanish, but had never been in a fully Spanish-speaking environment. Being away from my family was new to me as well, due to my parents’ strict “no sleepover” policy. Nonetheless, they knew this was an honor I couldn’t pass up. After working with the El Salvador Consulate, I obtained dual citizenship.
Now a senior with a 4.3 GPA, my goal is to attend a school with a D1 women’s soccer team. I have made the Principal’s Honor Roll for two consecutive years as a freshman and sophomore. I also give back to the community, volunteering as an assistant coach with my local AYSO and often playing in VIP games to provide a healthy challenge for players with special needs. To maintain my GPA and pursue rigorous AP coursework, I recently transitioned to a Virtual Academy, where I’m taking four AP classes out of six, allowing me the flexibility to travel while continuing to excel academically.
My ambition is to study sports medicine with a concentration in kinesiology while playing at the highest level of collegiate soccer. I am looking for a school that matches my aspirations both academically and athletically. My dream is to become a role model for my peers, family, and future generations.
Birth Date:
May, 2007
Location:
Palmdale, CA, United States
Player Specifications:
Position:
Forward
Dominant Foot:
Both
USNT Eligibility:
Eligible
NON-US TEAM Eligibility: