Taking Their Shot: The Real Stories Behind the Next Generation of Soccer Hopefuls
Taking Their Shot — The Fight Before the Fame
As excitement builds for the next FIFA World Cup, millions of fans will focus on the world’s top players chasing glory. But before the roar of the crowds and the bright lights, there’s another game playing out far from the spotlight — one where young athletes from underserved communities fight daily for the chance to be seen.
That’s the story behind Taking Their Shot, COCINA’s new docuseries that dives deep into the unfiltered reality of what it takes to turn a dream into a college scholarship — and maybe, one day, a professional career.
Meet Vanessa: The Goalkeeper Who Refuses to Give Up
“My dream is to play college soccer,” says Vanessa. “Always has been, since I was a little girl.”
For most teenagers, a dream like that might sound distant. But for Vanessa—a standout goalkeeper with an unshakable drive—it’s a goal she’s been training her whole life to reach.
At 5’8” with a 68-inch wingspan and a commanding presence in goal, Vanessa is a force. Her strengths are her vertical leap, raw power, and composure under pressure — the makings of an exceptional goalkeeper. Her coach, former U.S. Women’s National Team player Lindsey Huie, describes her as “super agile, very strong, and very powerful.”
“When she steps onto the field,” Huie says, “she’s the Commander in Chief — the pilot. On a dime, she’ll turn into a flying squirrel, just out of nowhere.”
Huie knows exactly what it takes to compete at the highest level. A two-time NCAA national champion at the University of Portland, Huie represented the United States Women’s National Team and has dedicated her post-playing career to developing the next generation of athletes through her mentorship and training program, Gritness.
“Being a goalkeeper,” Huie explains, “is a position where you have to be totally dialed in, 100% of the time.”
And Vanessa is just that — locked in, determined, and tough as they come.
View this post on Instagram
Overcoming Obstacles and Finding Focus
Vanessa’s journey hasn’t been easy. Growing up, she faced both financial and family challenges that made her path more difficult than most.
“I definitely had some challenges,” she admits. “I grew up in a bad area. Classmates I’ve had are very much lost in their lives. So I kind of think that soccer got me out of that.”
She and her father made a life-changing decision: to move to a new neighborhood so she could focus on her education and her dream of playing college soccer. It paid off — her GPA climbed from 2.8 to 3.2 (and is still growing!), reflecting the same perseverance she shows on the field.
Huie adds, “She’s been stuck in the middle of some family turmoil. We just need to remove all the outside noise and lack of resources, and allow Vanessa to really step into owning her soccer career.”
That’s where the ACCESS U Foundation steps in — a nonprofit dedicated to helping student-athletes from under-resourced communities build pathways to higher education and leadership. Through academic support, mentorship, and college readiness programs, ACCESS U empowers young players to thrive not just on the field, but in life. According to the organization, their mission is rooted in ensuring that every soccer player, regardless of background, has the opportunity to succeed.
When it comes to the college recruitment process — often one of the most complex and intimidating parts of the journey — Gritness takes the lead. A trusted partner of ACCESS U, Get Gritness provides the specialized college-recruitment mentorship that connects talented athletes like Vanessa with real collegiate opportunities. Through one-on-one guidance, skill-building, and personalized recruiting strategies, Get Gritness bridges the gap between potential and placement, helping players turn their dedication into direction.
Together, ACCESS U and Gritness form a powerful partnership that gives student-athletes the tools, confidence, and exposure they need to take their shot — on the field, in the classroom, and beyond.
Vanessa is one of those athletes. “I’m really thankful for my coach, Lindsey,” she says. “She helped me with everything—mentally, physically, even being a shoulder to cry on—and she helped me connect with ACCESS U, that has been a great foundation.”
.jpg)
Preparing for Her Moment in Phoenix
Now, Vanessa is preparing for her biggest opportunity yet: the Phoenix Showcase. The event gathers more than 150 colleges and universities across different divisions, all scouting for their next big recruit.
Huie knows what’s at stake: “Getting her to Phoenix is the best next thing. The goal is that she’ll turn quite a few heads so we can get her recruited and committed to a Division I program by December.”
For Vanessa, that moment under the spotlight is everything.
“I definitely love doing showcases,” she says. “All the college scouts are right there watching you. You get to shine — and it’s very competitive.”
Her strengths as a player make her stand out — especially her penalty kick saves and one-on-one shot-stopping ability. “I’m very aggressive on corners and crosses,” she says confidently. “I want to be the first person at the ball. If I have to collide with another girl, I will.”
And when she does? “Saving that last-minute goal,” she smiles, “is the greatest feeling ever.”
The Power of Perseverance
Huie believes Vanessa has something that separates the good from the great: resilience.
“There’s an undiscovered talent there,” she says. “She doesn’t even know how good she is. That little bit of grit that she has — that comes from her upbringing, from everything she’s had to overcome — that’s what she needs to compete at the next level.”
Vanessa’s ability to stay positive and push forward through adversity may just be her greatest superpower. “Hard work pays off,” she says simply.
Huie agrees: “If someone is willing to take a chance on Vanessa, she will do great things. I absolutely think she could be a professional player.”
Beyond the Field
Taking Their Shot isn’t just a soccer story—it’s a story of perseverance, mentorship, and the power of opportunity. Each episode in the series highlights how organizations like ACCESS U and coaches like Lindsey Huie are changing lives, one player at a time.
For every star who makes it to the World Cup, there are countless young athletes like Vanessa, fighting every day for a chance to prove themselves.
Through Vanessa’s journey, viewers see that success isn’t only about winning games—it’s about breaking barriers, building confidence, and finding purpose.
“I was so late to this world of soccer,” Vanessa admits. “But hard work pays off.”
In Taking Their Shot, that belief comes alive—showing that for young athletes like Vanessa, chasing a dream isn’t just about making the save. It’s about making a future.
Vanessa’s story is only the beginning. She’s one of many players chasing a dream that represents more than victory on the field — it’s about transformation, belonging, and believing that your shot is worth taking.
Watch Now
Taking Their Shot is streaming now, exclusively on wearecocina.com.
Watch Vanessa’s story — and see what happens when talent meets opportunity, and when a young athlete dares to take her shot.