Nina Mathelus: Learning and Growing

It’s rare to find your passion at such a young age. But for me, I always knew it was soccer. 

Growing up, I tried many different sports. I was good at them, but there was something special about soccer. It made me come alive. Not only was it fun, but I was pretty good at it too. I knew it was something I was meant to stick with. 

My parents always allowed me to figure out what I liked, not pushing me in one direction or the other. But, as my dad likes to bring up, I scored seven goals in my first kindergarten game so it was meant to be. 

Since then, the goals have continued to come for my club teams and now the Philippines. 

When I was 14, that hard work and dedication paid off in a call up to the U-17 Philippines Women’s National Team. That first call up was a surreal feeling. To be able to represent my country and my family was a really big deal that I did not take for granted. 

It all happened very fast from getting opportunities with the U-17 at 14 to the senior team at 16, but I’ve taken every moment and given it my all.  In my first game with the Philippines, I scored a hat trick. In the second game I had a goal and an assist. In my next call up, the goals continued to come. 

The harder the opportunity, the higher the level, I just continued to do all that I could to not only rise to it, but raise the bar for myself. 

I’ve now been able to play against countries like Guam and Lebanon. 

I’ve traveled to Vietnam and taken on Australia and Bangladesh. 

I’ve scored goals, earned player of the match, and wracked up minutes. 

I’ve been to Cambodia to help the senior team in their starting effort for World Cup qualifying.

I’ve represented the Philippines in the Asian Cup at just 16. 

All of these things felt like dreams come true. Playing soccer has always been the biggest joy for me, and getting to do it on the international stage is the most incredible honor. 

Not only has soccer taught me a lot on the field, I have taken away many invaluable life lessons.  I’ve learned how to manage my time, balance school and soccer, and train while everything is going on. Those experiences have grown my maturity as well as my ability to take care of myself. 

My very first call-up, I travelled internationally by myself to meet this team that I had just met. It was a daunting experience that really pushed me out of my comfort zone. While that experience was nervewracking, the ability to connect with my teammates in camp through soccer was so special. 

When I was called up to the senior team for the first time, it was the similar experience of being filled with nerves. That moment of getting to play with people you have looked up to forever is one of those indescribable feelings. 

That camp was a moment of looking at the future. The players around me do this for a living so it really shifted my perspective on what to expect. I learned how they communicated with not only teammates but coaches as well. How they handle the expectations and situations thrown their way. It really taught me all that is expected of a professional which I now use to better prepare myself for the future.

Getting that first cap with the senior national team in South Korea, playing besides one of my role models Sarina Bolden, was a huge growing moment. The sound of the fans in the stands, cheering as we played was indescribable. I may have only been on the field for twenty minutes but it meant the world to me. 

It made all the long days training worth it. 

It made every game feel more important.

It made all I had worked towards feel real. 

Now, each day is just a test of learning, getting stronger and smarter so that I can be ready for the run to the world cup. 

Even with all of these one-of-a-kind moments, the biggest learning curve was becoming okay with being away from home for long periods of time. It also made me really dial in on the mental aspect of my game. Being in the moment of, okay right now I am at a national camp or a tournament and our goal is to win, is hard when I’m also missing home and trying to stay on top of school. It can be challenging but just focusing on the now and knowing I am supported helps make those moments a little easier. 

I do my best to take everything one day at a time so that I don’t overwhelm myself. My goal is to never be overwhelmed by all of the other pressures when I really just have to focus on the ones that are present and relevant right now. 

We often take the little things for granted but in those moments where I was away from my parents, they felt all the more important. It made me even more grateful for my parents.

The sacrifices they have made by driving me to training, getting me the coaches I needed, helping me in the moments that go unseen. I would not be where I am today without their constant unwavering support over the years. The effort they’ve put in means the world to me because I know that no matter what they are going to be right behind me, cheering me on. 

They’ve always helped make decisions that most benefit me like recently deciding to do online school. This has given me the opportunity to focus on my education but still give my all to soccer. They’ve flown to games, met me at camps, brought me on college visits.

We even made the decision to change clubs to South Shore Select to help my growth. The club has developed me in the right way to help me grow to the international level. We reclassified my level which has pushed me to develop faster. We even made the decision for me to start college sooner so I could continue to play and learn with the highest level. 

Starting next fall I will be attending UC Berkeley to play soccer. It's another one of those moments that feels surreal because not only is it an incredible academic school but also elite in athletics which will only help me. It's one of the world’s top academic institutions. As soon as I stepped onto campus for my official visit, I was inspired by Berkeley's excellence. I knew immediately it was a place I wanted to spend time learning and growing at. 

Every moment from all my coaches, teammates, friends, and family has helped to get me here.  

My sister Maia who has been my biggest supporter through it all. She may be younger but we both push each other to be better in our respective sports. Having someone to lean on when moments get tough and to know she is always in my corner means the world. 

My club coach Driton Mustafoski has been beyond helpful in my transition from clubs and my recruiting process.

My speed and strength coach Ricky who has been with me since seventh grade has helped me get stronger so I can keep up with what is expected of me. 

My coach Bob took his time to develop me and really help set a foundation.

All of these coaches saw potential in me as a player and what I could do. Those little moments working with them took me from a good player to someone who could be unstoppable. 

It means the world to me to have the support I do. 

I take it all in stride and do everything I can because I love this sport. 

I love where it has taken me and where it will continue to take me.

This is just the beginning for me.