Scoring Goals: Cassidy Nichols

Sadaf Sharifi

Cassidy Nichols (C’27) grew up in Crofton, Maryland and she always has focused on soccer besides her academic goals. Currently, she is a junior majoring in health sciences at Mount St. Mary’s University. She is working her way to become a physical therapist while she wants to keep continuing her passion for soccer.  

“I chose to come to the Mount because geographically it is closer to home; it has a beautiful campus, and I felt a strong chemistry with the team.” Said Nichols.

Although the Mount was not her first choice after she was recruited and visited the Mount, she found it a good fit for her future and her passion. “I always wanted to make a great influence on the team, and I have been loving it ever since.” Cassidy mentioned.   

She has an adventurous nature that has taken her to different countries around the world and has made her take her soccer skills out with her. Since she has played soccer with international teammates, it has strengthened her gratitude for the sport.

This past summer, she worked at a physical therapy office which has helped her gain more experience in her future profession. 

“It was a really great experience to help other athletes heal to get back to their beloved sports,” she noted. This experience helped her to be sure about pursuing physical therapy as her profession.  

Nichols claims that the new coaching staff have had a great connection and impact on the player on the field including her. The coaches have given them great energy and trust the players to play with their entire strength. These great changes have made this season a great turning point for their team.  

“A lot of people call us game changers which is very motivating,” Nichols said. Nichols scored her very first collegiate goal at Delaware State which gave her the confidence to continue and keep moving forward. She claims scoring that first goal made her feel that the next ones would only get easier.  

Her favorite game was against Shepherd University, where she scored a game winning goal. “In that moment, I wasn’t even thinking about the future or what was about to happened, I just to the shot and it felt so unreal” she said. “The moment I realized, my teammates started celebrating around me made me feel amazing and so great as the Mount Women’s Soccer team player.”  

“Balancing my athletic and academic life has been a challenge, especially during the playing season, traveling adds more pressure but as a junior in university I have found the strength to make both get balanced” she said it is all about how a person can manage their time and how to schedule their plans.  

Looking forward, she is working hard to get a doctorate degree in physical therapy, but she also will continue soccer as long as she can. “I have already made connections through internships” she mentioned. This has helped her to figure her way out towards applying to PT school next year.  

She is staying focused on her athletic passion and her academics to keep the balance between them to leave a great impact when she graduates from the Mount.