BUFFALO, NY - Before the 2002 Winter Olympics, a trip to see the U.S. Women's ice hockey team is all it took for Emily Pfalzer to want to become and Olympian herself.
"That kind of sparked something in me and something I realized I really wanted to do," Emily Pfalzer said.
She was just in fifth grade when her Olympic dream was born. Now she is in South Korea preparing to play in her first Olympic Games.
"I'm very proud. It's just been amazing, something I never thought I would see," Emily's mom, Jill explained.
Even though this is Emily's first time competing in the Olympics, she is no stranger to wearing the red, white and blue. She's been a member of the U.S. National Camp since she was 14, won a silver and gold medal in the Women's World Junior Championships and won gold in the past three World Championships with Team USA.
But Emily's hockey journey starts way before Team USA. It all began on the rink her dad built in their backyard while facing off against her two older brothers.
"The boys were out playing and she was about two years old and she was sitting in the kitchen pounding on the window crying wanting to play," Emily's dad, David explained.
"She would play any position, if it meant goalie they would put her in the net and she would do that," Jill Pfalzer said.
Now all eyes turn to PyeongChang where Emily and Team USA look to win a gold medal, something that hasn't happened in 20 years.
The U.S. opens up pool play against Finland on Sunday, February 11th.