East County Athlete of the Week: Maggie Yull

Maggie Yull is a sophomore forward on the Out-of-Door Academy girls soccer team (13-4-2). On the season, Yull leads ODA in goals scored with 11. In the Class 1A District 10 championship game against Bradenton Christian at home Jan. 28, Yull scored once in the first half of regulation and once in penalty kicks to help ODA beat Bradenton Christian 5-4 in penalty kicks after the game was tied 1-1 through regulation. 

When did you start playing soccer and why?

When I was around 4-years-old, I started playing recreational league soccer. My older brothers all played soccer and watching them play and seeing how much they loved it inspired me to try it out. I fell in love with it quickly.

What’s the appeal?

For me it’s the team aspect. On both my club (FC Sarasota) and high school teams, we all get along well and have a lot of fun together. Just being around my teammates and creating those friendships and memories with them is probably my favorite part of playing soccer. 

What's your best skill on the field?

I’d say my speed. My speed is what gives me the ability to stretch the field vertically, especially as an outside player, which gives me better matchups with defenders and more opportunities to score.

What are you working to improve?

My overall ball handling is something that I’m always working to improve. I’ve been particularly focused on trying to have a better first touch — having more control over the ball when it first comes to me is what provides me with those opportunities to create space for myself and use my speed to my advantage. I’m always fine tuning my first touch, at both club and high school practices. I’m constantly critiquing how I receive the ball and practicing my first touch off of passes over and over again.  

What has gone right for your team this season?

We’ve come together and grown as a team a lot over the course of the season. We’re a young group and a lot of those first-year players have stepped up and filled in holes that were left by last year’s seniors. It’s been great to see it happen. 

What’s your favorite food?

I’d have to go with pasta with vodka sauce. I like the bowtie pasta shape.

What’s your favorite school subject?

Definitely science. I love biology and learning about different life forms. 

What’s your favorite movie or television show?

As far as TV, I love “The Vampire Diaries”. In terms of movies, I’ll go with “The Bourne Identity,” where Matt Damon’s really young. I love all of the Bourne movies, but that one is my favorite. 

What are your hobbies?

I love to read. I wake-surf whenever I can. I play tennis and a lot of pickleball and just try to stay generally active and outdoors. 

What's the best advice that you've received?

That even if you make a mistake it’s not the end of the world. You’ll always have other opportunities to make up for it. That applies to not just soccer, but also school and the rest of life in general. Life keeps moving forward after you make a mistake, it’s not the end of the world every time you mess up.

Finish this sentence. Maggie Yull is…

Caring.