SoccerWire is publishing Q&A articles with recently-committed players who have Featured Profiles in the SoccerWire Recruiting Directory. The series will allow players to share their stories on the college recruiting process, travel and high school soccer, and their passion for the beautiful game.
In this edition we will showcase Charlotte Woodward, who has committed to play NCAA Division I soccer in 2025 at Louisiana Tech. Woodward plays travel soccer in the Girls Academy for Kansas Rush and attends the Staley High School.
SoccerWire Featured Player since July 2023.
SoccerWire: What made you decide to verbally commit to Louisiana Tech?
Charlotte Woodward: I decided to commit to Louisiana Tech because of the amazing coaches & staff, facilities and the vision Coach Steve has for this program. I love the family environment that LA Tech has amongst the players. It feels like home.
SW: What was the recruiting process like and what did you learn about yourself while going through it?
CW: I grew up a lot because of my recruiting journey. I got to see and talk to different coaches and programs, which helped me learn what I want and do not want to be a part of my college soccer experience. I learned that there’s a difference between club soccer and Division 1 college soccer, and what is required to compete at the next level. I learned a lot about what I need to improve on.
SW: Growing up, who was your favorite soccer player and your favorite team?
CW: My favorite soccer player is Tobin Heath. I love her creativity and bravery on the ball. My favorite team growing up was the US Women’s National Team. Now it is KC Current, but when I was younger, we did not have a women’s professional soccer team in the area and women’s soccer was not on TV.
SW: What are your favorite subjects in school and what do you think you would like to study in college?
CW: My favorite subjects are human sciences and business. For college, I am leaning towards a degree in business or human sciences.
SW: Outside of soccer, what clubs, organizations, and/or jobs are you involved in?
CW: I am an elected student council member. I volunteer for local animal rescue shelters, and I give soccer lessons and babysit in my free time.
SW: What are your favorite pair of cleats that you have ever owned?
CW: Ohhh this is a tough one! I take a lot of time in researching cleats that not everyone is going to be wearing. I would say my favorite pair of cleats were my last set, which were Adidas Predator Edge+ in “Geometric (see picture below).” I’m excited that LA Tech is an Adidas school!
SW: What has your experience been like playing for Kansas Rush?
CW: I have had an amazing experience with Kansas Rush this year. My coach and the Kansas Rush Girls Academy Director, Mario Felix, has set up an environment that is fun to compete hard, grow, and get ready to play soccer at the college level. I love my teammates! We all push each other to compete and cheer each other on.
SW: How has social media and being a SoccerWire Featured Player helped you with the college recruiting process?
CW: Social Media has been pivotal in my recruiting process. Because I live in Kansas City, Missouri, yet I want to play college in the south, I was not going to have college coaches from schools I am interested in see me play in person on a regular basis. Having a social media presence was a must in order to achieve my goals. Since SoccerWire is such a respected publication and widely followed, being a feature player was huge in garnering attention, getting more followers, popping up in people’s news feeds because of the algorithm – repeat. I’m very grateful for SoccerWire and its coverage.
SW: If you could give one piece of advice to a younger player that wants to play forward at a high level what would it be?
CW: Choosing to play the Forward position, you have to know that 90% of the time you’re going to fail. Probably not what you were expecting, but you have to release the in game failings and fix your mind on the next play. The forward position is a position of regular failures, but the successes are so very much worth it!
SW: Is there anyone that you would like to give a shoutout to who has helped you both on and off of the field?
CW: Three people have been instrumental in making me a better player and a better person – my mother, Sarah Woodward, my soccer trainer and mentor Vahid Assadpour of VAST, and my speed & strength coach, Drake Pollard of Feat Performance. They’ve been with me from the beginning, believed in me, picked me up when I got knocked down, and cheered me on when I succeed.
