The pen hit the paper, cameras clicked, and teammates cheered- and just like that, Madison Casanova became the newest member of FIU’s women’s soccer program, turning years of early mornings and late-night training into a Division 1 future. Her lifelong dream has finally become official. What started out as a hobby on local fields has grown into a milestone moment that she will remember for a lifetime.
Casanova started soccer at the age of three as she played for a recreational team in Pembroke Pines. However, her career did not start in protecting the goal, as her coach originally recommended the position after seeing her potential.
She notes to her coach that her favorite movie is “Toy Story” and her coach incorporates it into the sport by stating the ball was the character Woody and the goal was the dumpster so her goal was to keep Woody from going into the dumpster.
Casanova then went on to join the Sunrise Surf 07 NPL team and became captain her first year on the team. Now she has moved up to the higher team (ECNL RL) and also became captain her first year in this club as well.
Casanova also joined Pembroke Pines Charters High School and helped lead the team to the district champion title in her eighth grade and junior year, and is now running the team as a captain in her senior year.
Casanova is involved in her school’s newspaper class [The CHAT], where she serves as Social Media Editor. Not only that, but she is the co-captain of the PPCHS Latin Dance while maintaining her A/B student status.
She started to gain attraction from the FIU coaches at the recruitment camps she went to with the purpose of showing her talent and her unlimited energy on and off the ball.
The assistant coach was ready to offer Casanova a spot right when she stepped on the field, yet they had to wait on the head coach’s approval. Then the unthinkable happened. The head coach left to go to Mississippi State, leaving behind the FIU soccer team.
This did not dim the flame burning inside of Casanova since she wanted the offer more than anything. She continued to pursue her dreams and sent an email to the new head coach after playing against FIU with her club team, Sunrise Surf. This then started a string of multiple emails.
Casanova comments, “The coach invited me into his office to talk. Little did I know that I was going to get an offer right then and there.”
FIU holds a heavy place in Casanova’s heart as she “grew up” at the school. As her dad is the Director of the Sports Medicine program, she was always surrounded by the athletic program of the school, and it has become a second home to her.
Casanova comments, “I absolutely love the location of the school as my family and friends can come visit me all of the time, and the culture of the team.”
Casanova has one main focus as she is proving everyone who ever doubted her and her abilities wrong, as she fights for playing time as a freshman. Not only will she take on the field, but she will also take on the classroom as she plans on majoring in Sports and Exercise Science.
As Casanova prepares to wear the Panther navy and gold, she will remember all of the long, sweaty hours of practice and the hard games, knowing that it has all paid off. By committing to FIU, Casanova isn’t just taking the next step in her athletic journey-she’s proving her dedication and perseverance.
