From the moment Varela was introduced to soccer through an AYSO league, it was clear she had a special love for the sport. She later joined FC United, a travel team, where she developed skills that earned her a spot on varsity as a sophomore. Thanks to her passion and hard work in both club and high school soccer, Varela will continue her career at the collegiate level, playing at Amherst College.
“I always wanted to continue my soccer career, and I really like the structure that soccer—and sports in general—gives me. Having people who have the same aspirations and goals surround me, and being able to practice with amazing people every day, is so important to me. I wanted to continue this environment in college,” Varela said.
Throughout her soccer career, Varela has put in time beyond just scheduled practices, whether alone or with a small training group. Putting in the work to get what you want is nothing new for her. As a freshman, she was determined to make the varsity team the following season—a goal that significantly paid off in her development.
“There was a ton of growth in my sophomore year, my first year on varsity. Playing at a higher level and with older girls made me more physical and stronger on the ball. This helped me grow as a player, get recruited, and be the player I am today,” Varela said.
Despite being comfortable with the discomfort of discipline, Varela recognizes that the work is not over. Amherst is a respected top-ten soccer program in Division III, consistently in the running for an NCAA DIII championship. Varela has earned her spot on the team but understandably has nerves about heading East in the fall.
“I’m nervous about the level of play. Obviously, it’s going to be a lot faster than high school and club, which I’ve been used to for the past couple of years. It will be important to use the summer to prepare for that next level.”
This small school in Massachusetts isn’t a random choice—it’s actually a very familiar one within the Varela family. Her grandfather and uncle both attended Amherst and made sure she grew up surrounded by purple merchandise. Besides the family connection, the school is also known for its strong academics.
“It is a very academic school, which was important to me and fit my criteria. I plan on majoring in educational studies, and Amherst has a great program for my interest,” Varela said. “More than anything, I look forward to meeting new people and creating bonds with all of my new teammates.”