By J1 Reporter Sydney Schroeder

Blood, sweat, and tears are only a small price to pay for junior Emma Prososki. Since she was only 3 years old, Prososki has been playing a game she loves more than any other: soccer.

She started out playing at the YMCA, but as she got older and as her skillset greatly improved, she began playing club soccer. Today, she practices three times a week. It didn’t take long for her to fall in love with soccer and before she knew it, she was traveling all across the country, making friends, making goals, and making memories. 

Come her freshman year at Marian, Prososki made the decision to commit to the University of Nebraska Lincoln. Prososki’s prodigal skill placed her in a unique and humbling situation on deciding where to play college soccer as a freshman. 

At the time, it was typical for college coaches to wait until athletes are in their junior or senior year before reaching out to them. After weighing the options, the decision was made in February 2019 to commit to UNL on a scholarship to play soccer. Prososki and her parents are very confident in their decision. 

“We are so very proud of Emma. She worked very hard for this opportunity and will continue to do so at Nebraska,” Emma’s mom, Shannon, said. And all the time put into training finally paid off when high school season rolled around. 

The time finally had come- Emma Prososki’s varsity soccer season had arrived. Prososki was a midfielder and played 13 games during that season. Marian High School ended up in second place at state against Millard West. During her freshman season she made friends with several girls who supported her decision to commit and stayed close with old friends who did the same.

“Emma and I have been playing soccer together since we were little! I love playing with her so much because she’s always so fun and a very hard worker. I was so happy for her when she committed! She’s going to do great!” Junior Avianna Gonzalez said.

Prososki made varsity once again her sophomore year but the season was cancelled due to COVID-19.“I was very sad about the cancellation of the soccer season last spring. Although the season did not turn out as planned, I was very grateful for my teammates and coaches. We all stayed connected through zoom and were still given the opportunity to grow as a team and get to know one another!” Prososki said.

Prososki had dreams of going pro for soccer as a child and now is content playing in college and is willing to see where life takes her. “UNL offers extra study sessions and opportunities on and off the field, and I am excited to see where I end up,” Prososki said.

Prososki heads the ball during her freshman Marian season against Gretna. Marian won with a score of 3-1 in the semifinals of the girls state tournament at Morrison Stadium.