Soccer runs deep in Presley Covey’s family.
She started playing the game at a young age – aided by her father Brian, who is a former professional soccer player.
Brian played for the Olympic teams before his college days – with the U-17 and U-23 teams. But he also loves coaching the game, including Presley.
“I think I started when I was somewhere between 3 and 5 years old,” Presley said. “My dad is the one that taught me how to play.”
Covey is a 2025 goalkeeper for Independence High School in Tennessee. They are located in Thompson Station, in the Franklin area – about 40 minutes south of Nashville.
Covey and the Eagles wrapped up the season in October.
She had 13 starts, five shutouts and over 150 saves.
“I just like how goalkeeper is different,” said Covey, who has also played forward and outside back. “There was a game where they voted me in the goal. Our other goalie wasn’t doing well so after that I just decided that I like playing in the goal.
“It’s fun being a leader out on the field and I like using my voice. I think it’s more fun diving around and catching the ball than just dribbling around and scoring goals. I mean that’s fun too, but there’s nothing like saving a ball from going into the net.”
Covey is a gifted athlete.
She’s also played volleyball, basketball and soccer.
She’a always loved challenges.
One of the biggest challenges for a goalkeeper is penalty kicks.
“They’re nerve-wracking, but I had one of those moments during my high school season and it was like one of the best feelings ever,” Covey said.
She also started 21 matches as a sophomore.
Outside of high school, Covey plays for ECNL RL Tennessee Soccer Club. Other accolades include National Keeper War Competition qualifier in 2021, ODP Region 3 Camp Invitee last year as well as District Champ with her high school team, and her club team won the Ohio Valley Conference Championship this summer.
One of her favorite memories this past season came against a rival school.
“My dad has always told me to be confident on the field and it’s helped a lot,” Covey said.
“It’s pretty competitive here in Tennessee. There’s a lot of good schools.”
Currently, Covey is in the thick of her recruiting process.
A couple of her dream schools are Memphis and UT-Chattanooga. Her dad, Brian, played at Memphis and she said Chattanooga has a good physical therapy program.
“I also want to go somewhere I can see myself living after school, like an area or city that I see my future in,” Covey said. “Maybe Colorado – it seems fun and it’s really pretty. Or Florida – someplace warmer and my grandparents live down there.”
She wants colleges to know that she is very hardworking and has a lot of determination.
“I like to get things done,” Covey said.
HIGHLIGHTS: https://youtu.be/zv9wjdW100c?si=NscNA21NMNgcgFBM
