A tragic car accident on the evening of Mar. 1, claimed the lives of two teenagers in St. Cloud, FL, one of which was standout soccer player Rachel Price, whose admiration, determination and passion for the sport will never be forgotten.
These are traits 18-year-old Price is well known for by family and friends, especially when it comes to overcoming obstacles to accomplish dreams.
Her high school soccer career was one of promise for the future. Price received the Class 5A and 6A Player of the Year and Florida Today All-Space Coast Player of the Year in 2011. She also played with the U18 National team and is recognized as the youngest player to travel on the Tampa Bay Hellenic W-league and WPSL.
But, senior year brought Price’s world to a screeching halt when she was diagnosed with the disease lupus. This resulted in the termination of her hard earned Div 1 soccer scholarship to a top ranked school. As she prepared to graduate, her plans had to change and she chose to attend Div 2 Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL, where she was studying Marine Biology.
The ambitious Price brushed the daunting news off like dirt on her cleats and refused to let her dreams be dashed. She completed her first successful season with the Eckerd Tritons, tallying up three goals and one assist in four games played.
“Words cannot describe the loss of Rachel Price to Eckerd College,” Eckerd Head Coach Danielle Fotopoulos said in a statement on the school website. “She was a strong, confident woman and a friend. She was successful in anything she put her mind to. It was an honor to get to be her coach and she taught us all, as a team, to put everything on the line. Rachel fought for her life to play soccer and now not even being with us, continues to bless us. May God bless her family and help them find peace.”
But most importantly, she faced her fears with optimism and continued to shine as an example to others of how dreams are never impossible to reach if you persevere. And though this precious life was taken so suddenly and unexpectedly, the amazing legacy Price leaves behind will forever leave a lasting impression on those who knew her and on the soccer world as a whole.
“Rachel will be missed by her family, her extended family and her friends,”grandfather Donnie Price told reporters. “Rachel was a beautiful person and she brought smiles to everyone around her.”
My condolences go out to both families as they deal with their losses. I had the good fortune to see Rachel Price play first, when she was twelve years old, playing on the Brevard United boys team and I was amazed at her abilities back then, as she was the standout player on her team. It’s hard to undrstand why these tragedies happen, but hopefully the friends and families of both children will rally and comfort one another. Please accept my deepest sympathies.
- Tristan Williams – (Former Director of Coaching at Titusville Soccer Club, now Academy Coach at Gainesville Soccer Alliance and FYSA ODP Coach)
The soccer world is a small one, our daughter is on a path such as Rachel’s. We can all share in the sadness of this tragic loss of a gifted, young life cut short. Peace and deepest sympathies to Rachel’s family, friends and teammates.
Thanks for this touching piece, Courtney.
And a very nice tribute to Miss Price by her collegiate coach.
Let’s all remember to URGE our kids to wear seatbelts – long after they are young children.