SoccerWire is publishing Q&A articles with players who have Featured Profiles in the SoccerWire Recruiting Directory. The series allows players to share their stories on the college recruiting process, playing the game at the international level, travel and high school soccer, and their passion for the beautiful game.
In this edition we will showcase Miranda Dumornay, who plays travel soccer in the Girls ECNL for Orlando City Youth Soccer, and has verbally committed to play college soccer in 2025 at Elon
SoccerWire: What made you decide to verbally commit to Elon?
Miranda Dumornay: The reason I committed to Elon University is beyond just going on the campus and falling in love with the beauty, location and aesthetic, though the campus is truly gorgeous! I chose to commit to Elon for the amazing academic opportunity that Elon has to offer me! At Elon, the classroom sizes, the high achieving students presently there as well as their alumni, the future job security, their offers of international education, and their accelerated 3+1 Dual Degree Academic program for Business Majors, which allows students to graduate with their Bachelors and Masters degree in just 4 years was a huge deciding factor for me as I plan to enroll in this program! There are many opportunities athletically with Elon as well! The coaches made me feel welcomed, they asked me great questions, and I truly admire their outlook on the game and what it takes to succeed at it. Looking at Elon’s long term women’s soccer record, they have always performed well and even above average while never straying from high standards. These factors together made Elon University the greatest choice for me!
SW: What was the recruitment process like for you? What did you learn about yourself while going through it?
MD: My recruitment process was what I like to call “my own”. I chose for my recruitment process to be prolonged, while many others were racing to commit quickly and accept the first offer that they received. It was important to me to love the academic program, the athletic program, the location I was hoping to be in, and to find the actual right fit for me. I feel that college is an important time so I wanted to map out my short and long term goals throughout my process. I received some amazing offers in this process and I am so grateful for the schools and coaches throughout this year of recruitment that have been so gracious and kind to me. Overall, I am glad I took my time to decide the right choice, as I believe that God has a path and plan for the road we travel, no matter how many ups and downs there may be.
SW: What was your earliest soccer memory?
MD: My earliest soccer memory would have to be one with my Uncle Kyle. This is actually the memory that started my soccer journey.. Before soccer I tried dance, ballet, jazz, teeball, basketball, golf, and nothing felt like I wanted to do it twice. My Uncle Kyle came down for a visit to Florida from Georgia, and we were talking about Soccer try-outs coming up in my City of Sunrise. I didn’t want to do it, but he encouraged me to. We passed the ball around and he said you could be good at this! He told me about his journey with soccer, and how it helped him and so I decided to give it a try. I tried out for my local team, and I made it! My family was so excited for me! Every time he came down to visit he would ask me about soccer and was I going to college yet..lol. Sadly, my Uncle Kyle passed away in a car accident before he could see me commit, but I know he would be happy to hear I am finally going to college for soccer and I am sure his next question would be..did you go pro yet?! lol!
SW: What’s the best piece of advice that you have ever received from a coach?
MD: “The Soccer Bit” – One of my coaches, Coach Nick, used to always tell me that my great personality, the fact that I was a leader, and that I had a great soccer fitness, were all recruitable attributes and things that coaches are looking for, and the most paramount quality of them all is “The Soccer Bit”. It truly enhanced my perspective about the recruiting process, and emphasized the fact that every game and every practice is a try out. Sell coaches and fans with what you can do on the pitch. The best advice I have ever received, hands down.
SW: Outside of soccer, what clubs, organizations, and/or jobs are you involved with and what do you think you would like to study in college?
MD: I attend St Thomas Aquinas High School where I play for our school Varsity Soccer team, am in the English Honor Society, am involved in school theater and AP Drama Courses, and have close to 200 service hours. In my free time I train young athletes as Shooting Stars Indoor Soccer and I volunteer for local organizations such as MJ Scarlett Foundation, Sunrise Service Hours, and Markham Park Butterfly Garden to name a few. I have also campaigned for local political candidates in the 2020 and 2024 election cycles – If you are 18 and older, don’t forget to register to vote!
In college, I plan to obtain my B.S. in Business Administration (B.S.B.A) and my M.A. in Business Analytics (M.S.B.A).
SW: What are your favorite pair of soccer cleats that you have ever worn?
MD: Easily my 2023 custom Nike ‘Baller Alert’ cleats that included the Puerto Rico flag on them!
SW: If you could give one piece of advice to a younger player who wants to play midfielder what would it be?
MD: Run-Forest-Run! But seriously, the midfield is a constantly moving position and building conditioning to work in that role is helpful for both defensive plays and offensive attacks. Take the time to condition and allow your body to heal when it needs to. Be committed to getting faster and running further by setting attainable goals for yourself. My dad has always told me to make attainable and actionable goals in order to hit new levels, and I find that that helps me overcome mental obstacles as well.
SW: Is there anyone that you would like to give a shout out to for helping you in your soccer career or in the classroom?
MD: I’d have to thank Coach Twan Russel, my Athletic Director at St Thomas HighSchool #YouGoWeGo, for being THE most motivating and inspiring person I have ever met. I’d thank Coach Bruce Konners for helping me learn the game in my youth soccer days, Coach Danny Gurtov for encouraging me to take on travel soccer essentially beginning my journey, Coach John Markey for teaching me about college soccer and how to be confident and the importance of staying humble, Coach Nick for molding me into the confident player I am today, Coach Melony Poviones for training and teaching me the game from the time I was just 7, Coach Andres for being a major part of my soccer journey, from youth soccer to now. Special shoutout to Coach Demari “Mari” Simpkins for preparing me for the last year and counting for college Division 1 Soccer! There are so many coaches that have taught me so many important lessons along the way, and to any one I have missed, thank you! I truly appreciate every person on this journey!
