1/20/2025 | Women’s Soccer
A major lesson that my soccer career has taught me is to trust the process and that nothing is truly out of reach. My mental health is something that I have learned to make a priority throughout my journey. I play my best soccer when I am happy, so I try to ensure that my life outside of soccer is good as well. Prioritizing mental health has made me more appreciative of my sport.
My collegiate journey started at Vanier College in Canada, where I played for a year before coming to the United States. After that, I decided to attend the University of Akron in Ohio in fall of 2022. In my freshman year, I was met with some tough mental challenges. The coaching staff that I was recruited by and had a good relationship with ended up leaving before I got there, and I did not have a good relationship with the new staff. I was in an unhealthy environment and decided to leave. During the transfer process I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to play soccer anymore. When I chose to go to Francis Marion, a division two school in South Carolina, I was planning on playing for a semester and going back home. Little did I know, it was the best thing that ever happened to me.
Over the past two years, my confidence and mental health have improved drastically and is a big reason I have been able to find success. After accomplishing so much at Francis Marion and collecting a lot of accolades, I felt I owed it to myself to perform at the Division I level. I decided to transfer to Florida Atlantic for a great opportunity to grow as a person and player.
Being far from home is another big aspect of my journey. There are many cultural differences, and soccer is played very differently. It hasn’t been too difficult to be far from home because I am an independent person, but there have been times that I wished I was closer to my family. My mom has been my number one supporter since I started playing. Being raised by a single mom was not easy but she made it work, driving me to every game and practice for over 16 years and supporting me with everything I have decided to do.
My unique path has taught me a lot of lessons, and I am glad that I still have my love for the game. Going to four schools over the past four years, I have met some amazing people who have helped me grow in different ways.
My name is Kristina Syragakis, forward for the Florida Atlantic women’s soccer team.
Gallery: (1-20-2025) Kristina Syragakis
MORE ON SYRAGAKIS
During her time at Francis Marion, Syragakis won Offensive Player of the Year, Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament, First Team All-Conference, First Team All-Region, and First Team All-American. She broke the school record for shots in a game and was second in points in a season and goals scored in a season. In just two seasons she became sixth in career scoring for the program.
