Meet Weston soccer player Alex Darling
WESTON, Mass. — As captain of Weston High School (WHS) Girls Varsity Soccer, Alex Darling (18) has led with both passion and adaptability, always ready to play whatever position her team needs. Soccer was a natural choice from the start 鈥� Alex鈥檚 twin sister and older sister played, her dad coached, and her grandparents, season ticket holders of the New England Revolution since the team鈥檚 inception, have been lifelong soccer fans, fostering her love for the sport with regular trips to Gillette Stadium.
Over the years, Alex has played town, club, and school soccer, showcasing her skill and versatility. At WHS alone, she鈥檚 played winger, center back, and forward. Her athletic adaptability extends beyond soccer 鈥� she鈥檚 played for the WHS Girls Varsity Lacrosse and Tennis teams and has been skiing since she was two.
Alex鈥檚 dedication to soccer has led to numerous accomplishments, including being named a 2024 DCL All Star, helping WHS win the DCL Small Championship in 2021, 2023, & 2024, and reaching the DPL National Finals with her club team, New England Surf State, from 2006-2022. Although she doesn鈥檛 plan to play varsity soccer at Cornell next fall, she looks forward to playing intramural soccer to continue to enjoy the sport she loves!
Congrats, Alex!
Interview with Alex:
What are your personal goals within your sport/athletic dreams?
Alex Darling: I hope that I have inspired younger kids I know to try soccer and that soccer continues to be at the forefront of youth sports, because I think it teaches so many good lessons, including teamwork and resilience.
What do you love about your sport?
Darling: I love that soccer can be played by everyone regardless of skill level or prior experience 鈥� like when I was little and we鈥檇 play in the backyard with the neighborhood kids. I also love all the people I鈥檝e met along the way 鈥� coaches, players, and families.
What was the best advice you were ever given?
Darling: My dad, who coached me for years, always said, 鈥楴o one ever misses low,鈥� reminding me that keeping the ball on the ground is the smarter, safer shot. He also had a way of motivating me before games with one of his favorite lines: 鈥楽econd place is first loser.鈥�
How do you prepare yourself mentally or physically for competition?
Darling: By getting a good night鈥檚 sleep before games, and listening to upbeat and inspiring music to get in the right mindset.
What is your biggest challenge in your sport, and what do you do to manage this challenge?
Darling: Balancing school and soccer. Whenever I鈥檝e had to miss school for tournaments, I鈥檝e been thankful for how supportive and understanding my teachers have always been, helping me stay on track with my work.
What has being a member of a team taught you?
Darling: You don鈥檛 have to be the best to make a difference. Having fun is just as important, and, by embracing that mindset this past season, our team had the best regular season results of my high school career.
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