Nicole Patino to Represent AGSC at Mighty Mary Women in Sports Panel
When Nicole Patino joined Asphalt Green Soccer Club (AGSC) at nine years old, she was simply looking for an opportunity to dedicate more time to her passion for soccer.
A friend encouraged her to try out for AGSC, and her talent was immediately recognized. Soon after, Nicole received an athletic scholarship from Asphalt Green and began playing a year above her age group.
“Even though I was very shy, all the coaches and players made me feel very welcome,” Nicole said. “They always tried talking to me and included me in every conversation.”
Years later, Nicole has grown into one of AGSC’s standout athletes. Along the way, she has helped lead her teams to two state finals and a national final, was selected for the Gotham Women’s Professional Pathway as one of the region’s top youth players, and was recently named AGSC’s 2026–27 Female Player of the Year. She has also competed with the New York Athletic Club women’s team, scoring a goal and recording two assists in her debut.
Now, Nicole will have the opportunity to represent AGSC at a women in sports panel on September 8. The event, hosted alongside a screening of Mighty Mary, a documentary about the first all-women’s team to compete in the America’s Cup, will bring together athletes and professionals from across the sports industry to discuss the experiences of girls and women in sports.
For Nicole, the opportunity is especially meaningful because of the role AGSC has played throughout her athletic journey.
It means a lot to me to be able to represent AGSC at a conversation about women and girls in sports,” Nicole said. “Being able to represent an academy that has helped me throughout my entire career, through the highs and lows, means the absolute everything to me.
Nicole credits the support of her coaches and teammates with helping her develop into the player she is today. She says her coaches consistently believed in her and pushed her to improve, with some taking additional time to work with her individually.
Just as importantly, she found an environment where she felt comfortable learning, growing, and making mistakes.
“I believe I have an environment where I know I can make mistakes and not be judged about them,” she said. “I think that’s an important role in my soccer career.”
Her experience also reflects the broader impact sports can have beyond competition. For Nicole, soccer has shaped her social life, given her many of her closest friendships, and provided some of her most meaningful experiences. Nicole believes sports can offer similar experiences to other girls.
“I think girls gain experiences, memories, and friendships by participating in a sport,” she said. “Participating in a sport makes it easier for girls to socialize more with each other without feeling scared.”
At the panel, Nicole is particularly looking forward to hearing from other women and athletes about their own journeys.
“I know every experience is different, and that’s what makes it unique,” she said.
As Nicole prepares to represent AGSC, she also hopes to share a message with the next generation of girls beginning their own athletic journeys: hold onto the passion that brought you to the sport in the first place.
“Never, ever lose passion and love for whatever sport you’re playing,” Nicole said. “Passion is what drives you to become better at what you’re doing.”
From joining AGSC as a young player to reaching state and national finals and earning recognition as one of the region’s top youth players, Nicole’s journey is a testament to what can be achieved when girls have access to the right community and opportunities to pursue their athletic dreams.
