The DGS girls varsity soccer team has gone undefeated in conference since 2019 with the help of senior captain Emily Petring. Through her work ethic and competitiveness, Pertring scored a top varsity spot her freshman year. This experience will help her through her collegiate career at Coastal Carolina University.

In the 2021-2022 school year season, Petring had a total of 24 goals and 18 assists. Her talent has helped push the high school team and will be influential to the Coastal Carolina team.

Petring has played soccer since she was three years old. As she got older and continued to play more sports, she knew that soccer would be her one true passion. Soccer taught her how to be a better player, both physically and mentally.

“Growing up made me learn to focus on myself and no one else because I can’t control anyone else but me. I used to be an immature brat on the field because I would either let fans get to me, parents, teammates and coaching. But I had to play for myself and not let the outside stuff get to me, and just say OK and move on while being the strong player I am,” Petring said.

Even though Petring plays three sports, she still finds time to work on things such as speed and agility outside of team practices and through personal trainers. She continues to work hard to show that she is still a team player even when she can’t be there.

Christopher Hernandez, special services teacher and varsity girls soccer coach, talks about Petring’s impact on the team.

“Part of being an athlete is the eccentric drive that happens and she certainly has that,” Hernandez said.

Petting is looking forward to carrying further in her career and making an impact on and off the field. To Petring, soccer is more than an extracurricular or an exercise.

“ Whether life is on your side or not, you will always need an outlet that makes you happy and mine is soccer,” Petring said.