https://vimeo.com/144771971/

Brimmer and May soccer star Shani Breiman ’18 was recently selected to play for Team USA in the Pan American Maccabi Games.

“What keeps me going is my passion and drive to become a better player each day,” said Breiman. I love the game and I want to be the best that I can be. Even when there isn’t a scheduled practice I touch the ball each day, juggling in my house, or shooting in my pug goal in my backyard.”

The Games will take place in Chile this December, and aim to “perpetuate and preserve the American Jewish community by encouraging Jewish pride, strengthening Jewish bonds and [create] a heightened awareness of Israel and Jewish identity.”

Making the team wasn’t easy. First, Breiman filled out an extensive application in which she explained her success and history in soccer. She also had to submit a video of her skills and soccer highlights. Breiman heard that she made the team three months after submitting the application.

Breiman’s passion for the game started when she was just 4 years old and joined a coed soccer league in Brookline. Being born to two parents who grew up with soccer in Germany and Israel, her love for the game came natural. When Breiman was in the 6th-grade she joined a prestigious club team, The Boston Bolts, and discovered her knack for scoring goals.

“I love seeing the ball go through the net,” said Breiman. In her freshman year she joined The Boston Breakers Academy, another club team whose reputation helped her make it on to Team USA for the Maccabi Games. The Boston Breakers Academy travels around the country for games and tournaments which fosters Breiman’s dedication and devotion to the game.

Breiman has never been to Chile and she cannot describe how excited she is to go there. “I think it will be an amazing experience to play other girls from around the world, to see what’s out there, to meet so many people from different backgrounds and countries,” she says.

Breiman hopes to play soccer in college, and for the rest of her life. She says, “I really love the game and I cannot imagine my life without it. I hope to be able to play in the next Maccabi games in Israel in two years as well. I am very excited to see where my soccer goes and I know it will be a part of my life forever.”

Brimmer and May Girls Varsity Soccer Coach Brian Purcell says Beiman gives 100% in every practice and game. “I think she puts the team on the world stage now because she is playing in an Olympic event,” he says.

This season, Breiman scored an astounding 51 goals out of the team’s 96, with 14 assists out of the team’s 49.

“I felt as if all my hard work has really paid and off and it is moments like these that I will cherish for the rest of my life,” Breiman says.