For Riley Fredericks, soccer has been a lifelong passion. Growing up in a family that loved the game, it seemed only natural that she would follow in their footsteps. Her father played soccer, her older sister played soccer, and Riley was kicking a ball almost as soon as she could walk. From those early days, the sport became a defining part of her life.

What Riley enjoys most about competing is the excitement that comes with every match. Whether it's the intensity of the game or celebrating success alongside her teammates, she values the friendships and memories that soccer creates. For her, there's nothing better than sharing those special moments with the people who have worked just as hard to achieve them.

One of Riley's favorite memories came during her youth soccer career whenever she scored a goal and celebrated with her teammates. Those moments reminded her how important it is to be surrounded by teammates who genuinely support and believe in one another.

The biggest influence on Riley's athletic journey has been her father. From driving her to practices and investing in extra training sessions to helping her navigate the college recruiting process, his unwavering support has played a major role in helping Riley achieve her goals.

What motivates Riley every day is the desire to discover just how far she can push herself. She is constantly striving to become the very best version of herself—not only as a soccer player, but as a person.

As a center midfielder and outside back, Riley describes her style of play as both technical and physical. She takes pride in combining strong technical ability with the toughness and work ethic needed to compete at a high level.

After graduating high school, Riley continued her soccer career at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, where she now competes at the NCAA Division I level. Her goals this season are to score her first collegiate goals and help lead her team to a conference championship.

Looking beyond soccer, Riley plans to attend physical therapy school after college and earn her Doctorate in Physical Therapy, allowing her to continue making an impact in athletics and healthcare.

When she's away from the soccer field, Riley enjoys spending time at the beach and hanging out with friends.

Her advice for younger athletes comes from personal experience:

"Never give up, no matter what anyone tells you. I went through several difficult experiences in youth soccer where coaches said I would never have the chance to play in college—that I wasn't technical enough or fit enough. Prove them wrong. More importantly, prove it to yourself. Push yourself every day to become the very best version of you."

Quick Hits

• Position: Center Midfielder / Outside Back
• Favorite Athlete: Erling Haaland
• Favorite Team: FC Barcelona
• Favorite Pregame Song: Bird Flu
• Favorite Meal After Competition: Chicken Parmesan and pasta
• Dream School: UMBC
• One Word That Describes Her Game: Competitive
• One Word That Describes Her: Committed

Riley Fredericks' story is one of perseverance, commitment, and believing in yourself when others don't. Through hard work, determination, and the support of her family, she has turned her dream into reality by competing at the Division I level. With her competitive spirit and relentless drive to improve, Riley continues to chase excellence both on the field and in the classroom, proving that dedication and self-belief can take you farther than anyone else imagines.

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