The Jewish Link and The Humble Toast would like to recognize 10-year old Maya Tachauer as this week’s Humble Toast Sportstar of the Week. Maya is from Englewood and is in fourth grade at SAR Academy. Among her many other talents Maya has been playing competitive soccer since she was 4 years old, and is currently on the Leonia Travel team.
Maya, congrats on being recognized as this week’s Sportstar of the Week! Who are your role models and why?
My role models are my parents. My dad introduced me to soccer and he comes to every game and practice, and he always stays to watch and encourage me. My mom loves to come to my games and makes me early dinner on practice nights.
What is your favorite sport?
My favorite sport is soccer and I play on a travel team called AYSO United in Leonia. My favorite thing about soccer is that you get to be on a team. I love my team so much! All the girls on our team are so nice and caring. I am so lucky to have them as friends and teammates. Our coaches are awesome, too, even if they sometimes make us run laps. When I am older I hope to be a professional soccer player and play for Leeds United Women’s in the U.K., and maybe even one day get to play in the Women’s World Cup.
What is your pregame routine?
Get my kit and bag ready and then travel to the game with my dad as we listen to music.
What is your greatest sports accomplishment?
During the indoor winter season I had a streak of scoring seven goals in five games. It gave me lots of confidence and I felt good helping the team win.
Who is your favorite athlete and why?
My favorite soccer player is Kalvin Phillips. He is from Leeds in England and he used to play for my favorite men’s team, Leeds United. He also plays for the England men’s national team. He is a great player who is very modest and always smiling.
What is your earliest sports memory?
When I was 4 or 5 I played in the Englewood AYSO league. I remember I wore the No. 8 jersey, and since then it has been my favorite number.
What is your weirdest sports memory?
One time we played a game and it was freezing cold and so, so windy. I didn’t know it could be so cold. I had on so many layers under my jersey plus a winter hat and gloves. The only good thing that day was that one of my friends’ moms brought us hot chocolate to drink.
What is your favorite thing to do when you are not playing sports?
When I am not playing soccer, my favorite thing to do is watch the TV show “Survivor” with my mom and my sisters Anna and Lea.
What is your favorite sports memory?
When I scored my first goal. It was also the winning goal in the game, and I scored it with just a few seconds to go and we won 2-1.
What is the best thing about being a sportstar?
The best thing about being a sportstar is that when you do something good in a game it helps the entire team and not just yourself. I hope to help AYSO United win many more games and also to play for the SAR school team when I am old enough.
The Humble Toast Star of the week will receive a $25 gift card to The Humble Toast. Please send nominees for an upcoming The Humble Toast Jewish Link Stars of the Week to [email protected].
By Jewish Link Sports Desk
