For most freshman, the first day of school means nervously strapping on their backpacks, shuffling through the hall, and keeping their heads down. For these 14-year-olds, the whole first week of school takes what seems like years to end before the anxiety can melt away with the weekend.

These young Rams haven’t found their place in the pack yet, and the first week of school is their first chance to assimilate at Highland. This can make it quite a nerve-wracking experience. But not for freshman Elise Francis. While her first days in class were stressful, her vital days of first impressions occurred weeks ago, on the women’s soccer field.

The girls’ soccer team at Highland has had a tough summer, full of conditioning and practices and long hours on the field. However, according to team captain, Emma Nielson, it is this hard work and endless hours in the sun that have led to her team’s success at this point in the season.

“We have been successful so far this season because of how hard all of the girls worked this summer during conditioning. We had so many girls show up every morning, which was very impressive because conditioning isn’t easy,” Nielson said.

It was also during these early mornings and long workouts that Francis began to stand out.

“Being younger pushes me to do my best, because I know that I have to work harder to be able to keep up with the older girls,” Francis said.

Her statement is true for a number of girls on the team, for there are only seven returning varsity players. With the majority of last year’s players being seniors, the team truly took a hit at graduation.

“Most of our team has never played at this level before, but everyone has really stepped up and handled the pressure well,” Nielson said.

The youth of the team, although it could be perceived as a weakness, is being used as an asset. Along with their speed and their talent, they have a strong bond, visible from the sidelines and the bleachers. They know they have to work hard to hold their own, and each of their individual strength and hard work accumulates to benefit the team as a whole.

As summer began to come to an end, the first game against Cottonwood finally came. It was a hot day and excitement buzzed in air as students and families crowded the sidelines. These players had been waiting all summer for this, and from the very start they showed it. Every member of the team was strong and fast and put in everything they had. But no one drew attention quite like Francis.

No one had seen this young girl before, and the student section was buzzing with questions about who this player was, how old she was, and where she came from.

Not long into the game, the very first goal came from Francis, and the team erupted with joy. By the end of the fourth quarter, she came out with three of the team’s nine points, a huge contribution to the team’s first victory of the season, and an exceptional start to her high school career.

Francis and every one of her teammates were beaming.

“Scoring the first goal of the season was very exciting for me. Before the game I was really nervous, and didn’t know how much I was going to be able to contribute. Scoring that goal calmed me down, and made me realize that I deserved to play,” Francis said.

Not only does Francis deserve to play, but the team needs her. They have gone on to beat Cottonwood and Riverton, come in close in a loss to American Fork, and tie Ogden.

Francis’s fellow classmen have also had an important impact for Highland Women’s Soccer. She is one of three freshman on the varsity team, each of them incredibly talented.

“We were fortunate enough to have some awesome freshman join the team this year, Meg Boren, Elise Francis, and Christina Gard. All three are key players to the team. Meg and Christina have kept our opponents from scoring several times, and Elise scored the first goal of the season. I couldn’t be more excited to have them join the team this year,” Nielsen said.

Francis, Boren, Gard, and the rest of their team have all shown that they have been prepared and are ready for the challenges this season has to offer. So much can be said about a team with such dedicated players, and such strong friendships on and off the field.