For over a decade, sophomore Allie Ball has been playing soccer and softball, setting her up for success on the La Salle teams. 

Last fall, Ball tried out for La Salle’s girls soccer team, making junior varsity and playing as a midfielder. In this position, Ball moved all around the field. 

“You get both offensive and defensive action,” Ball said. “Most people think it’s a slow paced game but it really isn’t, especially if you’re a midfielder and I like that faster paced part of it.”

Throughout the soccer season, Ball and her teammates traveled around the greater Portland area, playing teams of all different skill levels. “My favorite memory from soccer is the bus rides home,” Ball said. “I didn’t do too many of those, but when I did, it was really fun.”

During their few journeys home, Ball and her teammates listened to upbeat music and conversed until they would get back to La Salle. 

This past spring, Ball joined La Salle’s softball team as well, but most of the season was cancelled due to COVID-19. 

Ball was able to play softball for about two weeks before everything was shut down. In those two weeks, she was also able to spend some time bonding with her teammates. 

For instance, the team held a small event with young children, practicing hitting and the positions in outfield and infield. “It was just fun to see the little kids who are going to be Falcons,” Ball said. 

Although Ball’s softball season was cut short, over the summer, she attended many of the team’s workouts and team bonding events. 

“It’s a very team oriented sport,” Ball said. “I like doing the cheers together, and it’s just fun.”

Staying inspired, Ball said that she looks up to WNBA player Diana Taurasi and American soccer player Megan Rapinoe. “They really advocate for equal pay, equal play,” Ball said. “[They] are really big [people] to look up to in the sports world.” 

Ball also attended the soccer workouts that were held over the summer, which allowed her an opportunity to get back into physical shape. 

Since Ball hasn’t been on either of the two fields recently, she has adapted a personal workout regimen to stay in shape. “I usually run about two miles every other day, and I lift,” Ball said. “I practice certain sports on this day, and then certain sports on [another] day, so I get a mix.”

When Ball isn’t working out from home or attending workouts at La Salle, she focuses on her studies.

During her freshman soccer season, Ball would spend any free time before practice, on the bus to away games, or prior to home games working on assignments. 

“It was really hard in the beginning, but then I just found that swing, and I was doing most of my work on the bus to places,” Ball said.

In the winter of 2019, Ball played with La Salle’s JV basketball team, but moving forward she has decided to focus on soccer and softball. 

Similar to many athletes this year, Ball hopes she will return to the fields soon, as she misses playing in games, competing with other schools, and traveling for both soccer and softball.