Leadership, teamwork, and bonding, are some of the traits junior captain Skylar DeFrank values in being a captain for the Woodland girls soccer team. 

Being a junior year captain, DeFrank isn’t just focusing on the game; she takes time to focus on the players’ mentality and unity. 

“My main goal this year is probably just to make sure that there’s not any cliques in the team so that we’re all together, because I know in the past, there’s always a division between the upperclassmen and the underclassmen.” 

DeFrank focuses heavily on player mentality and team bonding, aiming to eliminate cliques and bridge the traditional divide between upperclassmen and underclassmen.

DeFrank, becoming a junior captain, shows her peers that she is more than just a soccer player; she is a leading player on the girls soccer team. She leads the team with examples of leadership in demanding games, but also with her hard work and focus every day through practices. 

“I feel that I always make sure to show up during big times and big games and not just be a leader; there’s more to being a captain.” 

As much as DeFrank has shown what a good leader she can be without having the captain’s armband on, she has had to make changes in how she will command the team. 

“I think it is a big switch over for me because there are a lot more higher expectations for me. Especially in practice we’ve been working on a lot of just making sure we’re getting all of our reps in and really putting in 100%, so I feel like as a leader I have to always make sure that I’m setting a good example.”

Becoming a captain brought higher expectations, pushing her to ensure the team gives 100% effort while maintaining a standard-setting for her peers. She demonstrates leadership not just during high-stakes games, but through her consistent focus and hard work in everyday practices. 

Her passion for the sport is fueled by special moments, such as winning NVL championships under the lights. 

“Winning NVLS my freshman and sophomore year, under the lights at night, it’s just something I feel that I’m going to remember for a long time.” 

Moments like these make high school soccer more than just a sport for DeFrank; it makes it a lifelong memory, and learning experience, she will get to hold with her for a long time. 

DeFrank makes sure she always has the same routine for a gameday, which keeps her checked and ready for whom they are about to face. 

“I always have to have the same hairstyle; it’s always been like that since I was little, a slickback into a bubble braid,” DeFrank says. “Right before the game starts I always have to click my heels three times because that’s my number.”

Pregame traditions make the game more fun for DeFrank, not only her personal ones, but with her team that reminds them to have fun and loosen up. 

“When we are standing for the national anthem in a line, we always kick each other, and it goes down the line, then goes back up.”

For DeFrank, no matter the armband or not, win or lose, hard practice or a fun practice, playing soccer is where DeFrank wants to be.