A young talent joined the girls Varsity soccer team, and that talent in Freshman Kenzi Perez. The girls soccer team had a heavy senior class last season, making many available spots for the new varsity season. Perez is a left back defender and works alongside Junior Maddi Kully, Luci Proctor and Senior Rebecca Nilius. Perez shared if she expected to make the varsity team as a freshman.
“I did not expect to make varsity my freshman year,” Perez said. “But I worked hard and did everything I could so that I had a chance at making it.”
It has been portrayed that the younger teammates on the team usually don’t have the skills that some of the returners do, or don’t make as much as an impact, but head coach, Nathan May, explained what makes Perez an asset to the varsity team even as a freshman.
“Kenzi has been one of the most consistent players on the team all year. Kenzi doesn’t look out of place even defending some of the better players in the state, a few weeks into the season our new JV coach was shocked to realize she was ‘only’ a freshman,” May said. “Kenzi has tactically, technically and psychologically stood out since day one. Good athlete, good mentality, and good technical base, all combined with being a very willing and good teammate.”
Being in a varsity sport while being a full time student is a challenge. It is especially difficult when the sport is in the spring season, the most stressful time of the year regarding finals and many tests. Perez explained how she balances school and soccer.
“I typically try to get my school work done during my open mods and any time I can outside of practice and games,” Perez said. “It is hard considering I do not have much free time and it is easy for grades to drop, but I have worked really hard for that not to happen.”
Perez has been used to the fields, as she is successful in sport, but entering a whole new team can be overwhelming or challenging for some. Coach May shared how Perez has adapted to the team environment.
“Seamlessly, from day one she obviously belonged on the field,” May said. “And she has socially fit in with everyone just as seamlessly.”
To make the varsity team as a freshman there has to be qualities that make you stand out. It takes dedication, confidence, and hard work to perform your best infront of new coaches that you haven’t seen before. While making the team as a Freshman is great, that doesn’t mean there is nothing to consistently improve. Soccer is a sport where improving your game will ultimately help the team and yourself. Perez shared something that sets her apart from others and something she is currently trying to improve.
“Something that sets me apart from others is that I use my humor and I have energy on the field to lift up my teammates,” Perez said. “I’m working to improve on not getting in my head and not letting that affect the way I play.”
Perez has an important job as a defender, because she can regain possession of the ball and stop attacks of the opposing team. a lot of the game relies on her just as much as the other positions. Coach May recalled a moment that showed Perez’s impact to the team
“She was responsible for so many moments of individual defensive quality against good players. The moment that stuck out most was 10-15 minutes into our metro semi final victory against Elkhorn South. She went up and won an aggressive 50/50 header that resulted in a foul on us, and both players were covered in blood,” May said. “Kenzi was unable to return to the game and the trainer would not clear her because the cut could open and suggested she went immediately to the hospital, she refused to go until the game ended and complained the whole game that the other player was allowed to go back on, despite having a two inch cut above her eyebrow that required multiple stitches. Shows how tough she is, how willing she is, and the team was able to get an overtime win despite not having her on the field, with other players stepping up big time.”
Soccer is a diverse sport, well known all over the world. That being said, it is one of the most competitive sports out there. Many athletes aspire to become something great, and Perez explained where she sees herself in her soccer journey over the next few years.
“ I see myself attending college for soccer if I keep working for it,” Perez said.
Coaches can read and tell the potential an athlete has, based on their own observations and having experience with being around all different kinds of athletes. Coach may shared what he sees in Perez’s long-term potential.
“There is a very high ceiling. She just needs to keep going, keep improving in the way she has, stay committed to the sport and she will continue to develop naturally,” May said. “I won’t put any pressure on her in terms of where she could play next, but I do think if she just stays at it and keeps getting better I could see her getting some really good opportunities post high school if that’s what she wants.”
