Passion Player: Patrycja “Pato” Jerzak

Our March Passion Player, Patrycja “Pato” Jerzak, began playing soccer in Poland when she was 5-years-old. When she and her family moved to Sweden she trained with boys the soccer club, Stallarholmens SK until age 13.

Still only 13-years-old, Pato, joined the U15 girl’s Åkers IF, who competed in both the 2nd and 3rd division, also in Sweden. Continuing her passion for soccer by 16 years of age she moved to the IFK Nyköping soccer club.

However, one of her brightest highlights came when she played her first game in Damallsvensan, the highest professional league in Sweden, “That was an amazing feeling, literally everything I ever dreamed about came true at that moment!”

During that time, Pato was recruited to play for the Poland U17 (15 Caps) and U19 (13 Caps) national teams, “another highlight!”  Barely 17, she was recruited to the Djurgardens IF First Team and Djurgardens U19 team. Both teams compete in the highest senior level in Sweden.

One year after playing with the olders’ and many incredible soccer experiences, Pato was ready to leave Sweden for the United States when the University of Connecticut offered the forward a full scholarship.  A freshman in 2018, she made nine starts and led her team in assists. She’s played more minutes (802) than any other U-Conn true freshman.

Pato appreciates the opportunity soccer brings her,  “the fact that you can connect with so many people just by playing the sport and also how many people you are able to affect and inspire makes me so motivated to play.”

Improving her game during her collegiate years to achieve success in Spain or Italy at the professional level is only one of her goals. The motivated and empathetic student-athlete’s plans for the future include improving women’s soccer around the world, “I really want to have an academy for young girls where I could not only teach them the game but also educate them about mental health just overall make them strong.

While some of Pato’s favorite players are naturally, Ronaldinho, Marta, Deco, and Xavi, she thoroughly enjoys taking photo’s and shooting videos. Did we mention she loves to eat?

We have no doubt big things are in store for the wildly talented Swedish footballer and the self-appointed, Football Content Creator, whose passion for the beautiful game helped shaped her into the inspirational young woman she is today.

Photo Credit: Instagram @filmandskate

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