MacKenzie Rainwater is one of the best players from the Chicago, Illinois area in the Class of 2020.
The 5-foot-4, 140-pound Rainwater, who attends Lake Central High School, is a dynamic player that works as a central midfielder and attacking midfielder.
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Rainwater, who plays for the Indiana Elite FC, has earned plenty of recognition during her outstanding career, such as: Rookie of the Year, All-Conference, All-District first team, Times All-Area first team, Post Tribune All-Area second team and played in All-District Game.
Rainwater is humbled for the chance to showcase her skills.
“Being recognized for these awards and all star event is truly an honor because it really shows the hard work and dedication I give to the game,” Rainwater said. “The experience during the district games was amazing, being able to play alongside some of my best friends and playing with many girls I grew up competing against is such an amazing experience seeing how well we all worked together.”
No matter the opponent, every match Rainwater is determined to give it her all.
Rainwater is going all out.
The motor is always at full throttle whenever Rainwater steps between the lines.
“My mindset at my position is winning the ball back and looking to create for my teammates,” Rainwater said. “I want the opponent to have to work hard for all that they get while I’m out there.”
Rainwater has great passion and energy whenever she’s on the field. Rainwater tells why she enjoys the game of soccer so much.
“The thing I love most about playing is I’m always with my family (team), we all get to enjoy the game we love and we get to achieve our goals on and off the pitch together,” Rainwater said.
Rainwater has learned many valuable lessons from playing soccer that she applies to his everyday life.
The main one is applying perspective to all situations.
“Playing has taught me many things about life,” Rainwater said. “One thing in particular is that if you keep working your hardest to become a better player/person the outcome will become just a little easier to accomplish if you keep pushing yourself.”
Rainwater recalls her favorite soccer memory.
“My favorite memory from playing is when I scored the only goal on a free kick from 40 yards out against Munster and winning the sectional title with my teammates,” Rainwater said.
Semir Mesanovic has been Rainwater’s coach for the Indiana Elite for the last two years.
Mesanovic explains the best parts of Rainwater’s game.
“She can create chances for self and teammates, helps build up play in attack and also helps team defend from midfield position,” Mesanovic said. “Very technical player that relies on her creativity to help team build up play to score goals and create chances for others. She is the ultimate teammate and player.”
Rainwater takes her role as one of the leaders on the team very seriously. Rainwater makes sure she’s a daily positive influence on her peers.
“I demonstrate being a good teammate by always giving my best effort during training and games, and making sure everyone works together,” Rainwater said. “The best advice I’ve given my teammates was always keep your head up. Even if we’re losing during a game we have to work together to make sure everyone is giving their best effort.”
Mesanovic adds that Rainwater is one of those consummate teammates that every squad needs to be successful.
“Her leadership come from an early age as the daughter off a legendary coach,” Mesanovic said. “Trains how she competes in games, first one to arrive and last to leave. Thinks of her teammates first.”
Rainwater is appreciative of having amazing role models that are supportive.
“I’ve learned from my coaches that you always have to try your hardest and keep working no matter what. They’ve told me to keep pushing myself, and the sky’s the limit when it comes to hard work and dedication,” Rainwater said. “The best advice I’ve received from my coaches has all around been to keep my head up, one bad game/practice isn’t going to define you as a player. They’ve said that next time you just have to work your hardest to be better than the day before.”
Mesanovic is an advocate of Rainwater’s capabilities.
“Scored and assisted on many goals to help team reach regional level play and finished first,” Mesanovic said. “She helped the team reach the President’s Cup final.”
In addition to making clutch plays, Rainwater also has a high level of soccer IQ as well.
Rainwater has excellent awareness that puts her in position to thrive.
“Very smart and technically gifted player,” Mesanovic said. “She has an exceptionally great work ethic and is a selfless teammate that can create chances 1v1 or help team build play creating 2v1 situations to create chances and score goals.”
Rainwater is on the grind to perfect and hone her craft in any way possible.
“Trains like how she competes in games,” Mesanovic said. “No excuses mentality and exceptional work ethic and great attitude. Player that’s competed at a high level in state and regionally since very early age.”
Mesanovic raves about the characteristics of Rainwater.
“She is a unique player and every coach’s dream player with great attitude and work ethic of a champion since very early age,” Mesanovic said. “She is the ultimate teammate that thinks of team first and herself second.”
Rainwater patterns her play after this standout.
“I really look up to Jesse Lingard who plays for Manchester United because he moves really well with the ball and always has his head up looking for slots to play the ball through and moves off the ball right away,” Rainwater said.
Rainwater is constantly striving for greatness in everything that she does.
“My goal on and off the field is to always become a better player and a better person. Work harder and always keep a positive mindset,” Rainwater said. “Always be proud of the things you’ve accomplished and keep working to achieve even more.”
Rainwater explain her collegiate aspirations.
“My dream college is PNW because they have a fantastic nursing program from an educational view along with a quality Division II soccer program,” Rainwater said.
Rainwater lists anatomy and Spanish as her favorite subjects in school.
“I love learning about the functions of our body and how it works,” Rainwater said. “But I also love Spanish because I’m very fluent when speaking it and learn it very quickly in class.”
Mesanovic believes Rainwater is determined take her game to the next level.
“Complete player/midfielder that can shoot with either foot and help teammates offensively and defensively,” Mesanovic said. “Fitness and speed off play is an area we can work on to be more efficient and score even more goals and create chances. She is a perfectionist and a hard working machine.”
Mesanovic believes the sky is the limit as long as Rainwater continues to stay hungry.
“I believe she has all the characteristics to attend college and play college level soccer,” Mesanovic said. “I see a potential future soccer coach to lead in her father’s footsteps. She’s from an amazing soccer family with amazing life morals and values.”
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