Submitted by Dan Martinez, Keller Williams Realty, South Sound
“Go Velocity!” was the rallying cry for the girls U11 soccer team as they decorated cars, painted faces, and sported big smiles in preparation of the state championship game. Making it to the final game was quite an accomplishment for a team which had won only a single game the previous season. Through their relentless effort, discipline, and teamwork they had achieved the dream of most teams….a chance to be state champions. These characteristics served Velocity players well as they reached the state finals again the following year and propelled six of these players onto college teams, including Alyssa Edenstrom.
Gifted early on with height, speed and agility, Alyssa frustrated and intimidated opposing defenses. Her work ethic and easy going, positive attitude made her an ideal teammate. Her potential as a collegiate soccer player was recognized at an early age by her current coach Garrett Smith, “I have been following Alyssa’s progress since she was 14 and played here in Portland at the Nike World Headquarters in a national youth tournament. First I saw a great athlete with a great determination on the field playing at a very high level.”
On her way to the University of Portland, Alyssa played club soccer for South Central Crush/Puget Sound Slammers (2006-11) and Washington Premier (2011-12), where she helped claim two state championships (2006, 2008) before finishing her club career with nationally ranked Slammers FC (2012-13) of southern California.
The road to becoming a college athlete was challenging for Alyssa who fought through pain and injuries throughout her soccer career. As a youth, Alyssa experienced extreme growth plate foot pain which limited her playing time and required constant icing. For Alyssa, the pain of not playing and helping her team was greater than that experienced in her feet.
While playing for Capital High School, Alyssa incurred a hamstring injury at the end of her sophomore season which carried into her junior year. Despite this significant setback Alyssa was able to letter her first 3 years and was named the All-League MVP twice (2009 & 2011). She was named the league’s most offensive player in 2009, was a three-time team MVP, a three-time team offensive MVP as she helped the Cougars finish fifth in the state at the 3A level in 2009 and 2010. She also lettered in basketball, helping lead the Cougars to a fifth-place finish in state (2009-10). Alyssa did not play her senior year due to extensive travel playing for her Slammers FC club team.
In her first start with the University of Portland, Alyssa incurred a head injury against #14 Marquette limiting her activities for part of the year. As expected, she came back strong her sophomore year to play in 18 games.
Though her passion for soccer is undeniable, nothing is more important to Alyssa than good friends and family. One example of this was when her auntie JoEl died in September of her sophomore year at Capital HS. That’s when she started writing “Auntie” on her wrists and dedicated playing for her. Her loyalty inspired the high school soccer team to dedicate their season to “Auntie” by sewing a ribbon on their jersey sleeves. Alyssa continues to honor her Auntie by wearing the wrist wrap during University of Portland games.
Though there are many attributes to describe Alyssa, there are few any better than this excerpt from the University of Portland soccer blog by teammate Lorielle McClusky.
Alyssa – Umm, where to begin with Alyssa… Let’s just say if she is in the room you will know because you’ll be able to hear her, in a good way. She is a very loud, funny, sometimes a little naive, but definitely always a happy person. Alyssa also has a big obsession with minions from Despicable Me. Sometimes you can catch her casually saying BEE-DOO BEE-DOO and making minion noises. Overall, she is a great person to be around when you’re having a bad day because you can’t not laugh when you’re around her.
Alyssa will be an elementary educator when she graduates. Her students will be fortunate to have such a kind, talented, inspirational teacher. Best wishes to Alyssa on her remaining two years of college.
See Alyssa score goal against San Francisco Dons.
Follow Alyssa in the 2015 season here.
