The game of soccer transcends boundaries between a variety of cultures by the careful movement of both a player’s individual skill and the collaboration of a team. The unified feeling of accomplishment that lays onto the field is immersive, securing the focus of players and spectators alike. Though Sage Carey was hesitant to begin playing, once she did, she was captivated by every aspect of the game. For her, the path as a professional begins at the University of Miami (UM), where she’s officially committed to playing  for the next four years.

Coming from a family of Canes, Sage has been guided by her family since the beginning. At the age of 6, she was fascinated by other hobbies— whether it was gymnastics, volleyball, or even swimming. But ultimately, it was her mom’s influence that drove her to kicking her first goal. The senior recalls, “My mom played all her life, so she would always ask, ‘What about soccer?’, when I wanted to try other things. But one day I just thought, “Maybe I’ll try it”, and I fell in love with the game ever since.”

Playing with both a high school team and club, Florida United for 4 years, Sage has been challenged as an athlete in more ways than one. She mentions, “[Both the Pines Charter and Florida United teams have] helped me become a better competitor and person. I wouldn’t be where I am without that team.” 

Even following detrimental injuries to her ACL, direction from her family and teams have encouraged her to persist in the face of adversity. “It’s crazy to think that even in such a hard time, we were able to push through and win back-to-back championships with my team.”

Sage officially committed to the University of Miami in April 2023. When they began scouting, she recalls, “It felt like I’ve been pushing myself toward this one goal, and I finally made it.” And she did. In 12 years of playing the game, 4 years competing beside aggressive athletes, and 2 years of prolonged injury, she proves that there is power in pushing through toward a GOAL!