Allison Woods: First-Ever Winner of the Shoot Your Shot…Or Save It Competition

In the realm of competitive sports, defining moments often shape a player’s journey. For Allison Woods, a passionate soccer defender, such a moment unfolded in a crucial match. With her team clinging to a 1-0 lead and only 10 minutes left on the clock, Allison found herself in a pivotal position. “I saw the attacker coming and immediately positioned myself to defend the goal,” she recalls with intensity.

Her anticipation paid off as she expertly headed the ball out, denying a potential game-tying goal and triggering waves of joy and relief among her teammates. “Making that save felt incredible,” Allison reflects on the emotional high of that critical play.

However, what followed was a rollercoaster of emotions. The referee’s decision to award a penalty kick and potentially card Allison threatened to overshadow her heroic moment. “Everyone was confused,” Allison remembers, as the referee mistakenly thought she had handled the ball. Only after the assistant referee intervened and clarified the situation did justice prevail. “I’m thankful for the assistant referee’s clear view,” she acknowledges.

Beyond the thrill of competition, Allison’s journey into soccer began with family influence and a deep love for the sport. “My dad introduced me to soccer, and my older sister’s passion for the game inspired me to join,” she recalls. Starting at the age of four in local YMCA leagues, Allison’s early years laid the foundation for her eventual move to Blackhills FC in 2016. “Playing with Blackhills FC has not only improved my skills but also introduced me to lifelong friends,” she shared.

Allison’s soccer journey, however, has not been without challenges. Persistent knee issues, stemming from years of competitive play, have been a recurring obstacle. “Managing my knee health has been a learning curve,” she admits, emphasizing the importance of proactive care and listening to her body.

Looking forward, Allison’s aspirations are as ambitious as they are inspiring. Her dream is to play college soccer and, one day, represent the United States Women’s National Team. “If you work hard and believe in yourself, anything is possible,” Allison affirms.

Allison’s advice for other young soccer players: Early Communication with College Coaches! Start emailing college coaches earlier in your high school career to secure spots, as they fill up quickly.

Throughout her soccer journey, mentors like Coach Anwar Wilson and Coach Kate Green, along with unwavering support from her family—especially her dad, mom, and sister—have played pivotal roles. “Their encouragement and guidance have been invaluable,” she acknowledges gratefully. She’s immensely grateful for her parents: her dad, who tirelessly analyzes game footage to aid in her improvement, and her mom, who manages her club soccer team with unwavering support.

Allison reflects on winning the competition, stating, “Winning this competition is honestly a dream. It’s cool to win a competition like this because defenders don’t get recognition as much as offensive players do with scoring goals. I hope all the defenders out there can see this and strive to win something like this, as our job is just as important as offense! For all the defenders out there, keep putting in the work and you will get noticed; never give up! I would like to say a huge thank you to Keith, @stonypix_sports, @blackhillsfootball, @ladytbirdssoccer, and @stephanienortonphotos on Instagram for voting. They were such huge supporters during voting. I have had such amazing support from my family and friends, as well as the number of people that they reached out to for voting. It’s such an amazing feeling to feel so supported, even by people I don’t know. The community all around me is so awesome, and I will forever be grateful.”

Allison’s love for soccer is unwavering; it’s a passion she wouldn’t exchange for anything. Soccer isn’t just a game to her—it’s given her confidence, taught her life lessons, and created unforgettable memories with friends and teammates. It’s a huge part of who she is, and she’s beyond grateful for all the laughs, games, tournaments, and friendships it’s brought into her life.

Congratulations, Allison, our first-ever Shoot Your Shot…Or Save It competition winner!