BLOOMSBURG — Soccer star and 2015 World Cup winner Carli Lloyd was at Bloomsburg University Monday as part of several appearances in the area.
Lloyd spoke before a crowd of about 1,500 people at Bloomsburg University’s Haas Center. The Olympic gold medalist said she likes to share her journey to the top.
“Everybody has a dream and dreams are within you and the only way to fulfill those dreams is to make it happen yourself,” she said.
Lloyd’s message to the crowd was one of perseverance and hard work. It’s what she says took her from a small town soccer player to one of the best in the world.
Among those in the crowd listening were many young soccer players.
“It was pretty amazing to see her and learn about how she did, what she was like, the little things that she went through and everything she achieved,” said youth soccer player Bailey DiCristina of Middleburg.
“I can keep like my dreams and everything that I want to do or do things like she did,” said Madison Straub, another youth soccer player from Middleburg.
“Hopefully it motivates us extremely well. We’ve got a couple games left in our season, high expectations for our postseason, so hopefully it’s a good motivation right in the middle,” said Jennifer Stine, a soccer coach in the Southern Columbia School District.
Tickets to hear Lloyd speak at Bloomsburg University cost $5. Organizers said all that money will go to local soccer programs.
“You’re seeing so many young girls playing soccer and now they’ve got live role models to look up to. We’re role models and we’re giving them hopes and dreams,” said Lloyd.
Lloyd made other stops while she was in the area, including one at Millville Area School to speak to students.
