Gatorade National Player of the Year – Addison Halpern – Part 2
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Imagine receiving news on a Wednesday that you won the Gatorade State Player of the Year award for New Jersey. Then two days later you get the supreme moment of your life, or at least your soccer career. Yes, this is what just so happened to Addison Halpern.
Halpern was crowned the Gatorade National Player of the Year for the 2024-2025 season. Friends and family were on hand to share the EPIC moment with her. After receiving her award, Coach Steve Swanson of the University of Virginia was also there to congratulate her. Coach Swanson mentioned how Addison is a generational talent and talked about how she is instinctual and creative and how she spent a lot of time on the practice field. He finished by saying that it is what she does in games instinctively that makes her special.
Part of this story covered an in-depth view of Halpern's soccer journey to the National Player Of the Year and some of her impressive records and experience at the high school and U.S. youth national team levels. She is definitely one of the most decorated prep players to win this prestigious award. Included is the link to Part 1:
The next portion of this article will go over Prep Soccer's Exclusive interview with Addison just moments after she received her award. I am truly honored to be part of this historic event. The questions for Addison were some of the questions parents asked me about the challenging college recruitment process. Her answers were inspiring and it will help players get a better perspective on their soccer journey. The Full Video Interview will be linked below the 5 Questions and Answers.
Introductions
Me - I just wanted to let you know that I'm Robert with Prep Soccer and I'm a National scout/writer, so I've been this year covering lot of teams at the high school level and the ECNL as well, so some of the top players as well as in the nation, but you by far are the player of the year. Congratulations!
Addison - "Thank you very much."
Me - I just have a few questions.
Question #1 - From Part 1
Me – What advice would you give aspiring players on the college recruiting process? I know it might have changed in the last when you were a sophomore, but is there anything you could give to some of our players coming up?
Addison – “Yeah definitely, I would say be patient with yourself because it's a long process, it's not a sprint. You kinda have time to make your own decision and it's where you have to spend your time for the next four years, so it's what you want at the end of the day and talk to people, get some information on it but at the end of the day it's where you are gonna end up. So take your time, don't compare yourself to anyone else's and just enjoy it while it lasts because it really is a blast.”
Question #2
Me - What were some of your highlights during the high school season? What are some of the fond memories or experiences?
Addison - “Definitely my first game back after the world cup (U-20), just being able to play with my team again was really fun and I scored my 150th goal which was really nice that was definitely one of the good moments and then our state championship is obviously a fond memory of mine and it's just amazing to be with my friends and my dad on the sideline and to be able to win it again.”
Me - Awesome, yeah this year I did two back-to-back Boys D1 CCS championships and the girls right after or might have been vice versa, but also did a state cup which was pretty awesome.
Question #3
Me - So now that you are the player of the year where there are any former player of the year winners that kinda like you connected to or looked up to. If you want, I can go over a list?
Addison - “Definitely Mallory Swanson is one and then Emily Mason just because I've played with her a few times so it's cool to see people you see win and be successful as well so it's an honor to be on a list with those types of players so.
Me - Awesome! I was hoping you'd say Alyssa Thompson. Nah, I'm Just joking, she's also a great player. All of them are great.
Addison - “Definitely!”
Question #4
Me - Would you say you have a certain soccer style that's similar to any of these players or someone else? What would be your style of play?
Addison - “Ah, I definitely like the ball at my feet and able to distribute, and dribble, and kinda be creative. So I'd definitely say that's kind of my style of play, just on the ball a lot and being creative.”
Me - Awesome!
Question #5
Me - What are 2-3 goals that you have for yourself moving forward? So when soccer, what are some of the things you want to accomplish, cause lot of the players are either as you played for the youth 17 right, but like maybe on the senior team or as a professional, what are some goals?
Addison - “Definitely, first off kind of get my bearings in college and secure a spot there and just take it day by day at Virginia. Definitely looking to go NWSL kinda after that career and then the National team is always a good bonus to kind of have your eyes set on, so definitely on the list.”
Me - Awesome! Let's see, otherwise I don't have anymore questions unless there was something you would like to ask Prep Soccer or soccer in general?
Addison - “No, I'm good. Thank you so much, I appreciate it.”
That was definitely the highlight of my scouting/writing and interview sessions ever. Addison is a great player as well as a great role model for aspiring players. Her calm and collective demeanor also translates to her play on the field. Love the passion she has for soccer and the way she answers every question with detail and sincerity. The Cavaliers are fortunate to have such an awesome player and person. Looking forward to following her journey in college, professionally, and seeing her play on the greatest soccer stages. Just want to finish this article by saying thanks to Elizabeth Beal for helping me edit the video interview and say that Addison Halpern is my new favorite Gatorade National Player of the Year winner.
Full Interview: Addison Halpern - Gatorade National Player of the Year 2024-2025
