Laura in goal · Stade de Genève · Photo: Loic Chardonnens
At twelve, I decided: I'm going to be a pro goalkeeper.
The reactions came fast. "That's not for girls." "You can't make a living from it." "You're so good at school, do something sensible."
I went to the FCZ tryout anyway. Ninety minutes alone with the goalkeeping coach, throwing myself at every ball like my life depended on it. Afterwards he said something to my mother I've never forgotten: my daughter is a little crazy, but that's exactly what it takes in goal.
A year later I heard the words that would follow me for years: too small. At FCZ, then at GC, always the same verdict. Technically sharp, two-footed, a leader, no one ever criticised anything that was actually in my hands. Only my height.
I could have quit. Instead I made my international debut at eighteen and earned a full scholarship to the US at twenty. In the final of the national tournament I was on the bench, until my coach sent me on right before the penalty shootout. First penalty, saved. Third penalty, saved. We became national champions, the best team in the country. A few weeks later, my first pro contract was on the table.
Too small? Maybe. But no one gets to decide how big you think.
