Magnet junior Logan Kirkland (22) initially found her passion for soccer at only three years old when she joined her first soccer team at the YMCA. After completing her first season, she fell in love with the sport. Since then, Kirkland has played for 14 years and plans to continue for the rest of her high school career.
“My older sister originally played soccer and my dad coached her so I grew up watching her play. When I was 3 years old, my dad put me on my first team and I started to play with him as my coach. Over time I have learned many skills from the game and truly my favorite part of the game is making a good play to stop someone from scoring. My team and I have an amazing connection where even during the rough times of a difficult game when we may be frustrated at each other we can still rely on each other and one another up,” Kirkland said.
Kirkland has played as a center-back defender for the majority of her life until she joined the NC girls’ soccer team (1-4). During her time as a center-back defender, Kirkland worked to defend the goal from the other team and help provide backup to her own teammates. When she initially joined varsity her sophomore year, the coaches realized her potential and decided to move her up to play center midfield. In this position, Kirkland works to defend the goal while taking the opportunity to shoot and score. Kirkland inspires her teammates and other players due to her specialty: slide tackles. Over time Kirkland has perfected this skill so when the opposing team attacks, Kirkland can slide along the ground in order to steal the ball from the opposing player.
“Logan is the definition of a ‘soccer mind’. She is smart and extremely calm on the ball, which helps our team on possession. Logan also sets the tone with her physicality; she is aggressive and it really helps motivate our team and keeps our opponents on their toes. Logan is a great leader on and off the field and is invaluable to our team,” NC girls soccer coach Christina Wilson said.
Numerous girls on Kirkland’s team look up to her positive attitude and her aggression during every game. Even as an upperclassman, Kirkland includes every girl on the team, no matter their age, and holds a close bond with all of her teammates. On the sidelines and even while playing in the game, Kirkland helps to coach her teammates through plays and provides good advice before games and during halftime.
“Logan is a great soccer player and teammate. She does an amazing job at switching the field and sending up through balls to our forwards. She also has a great attitude on and off the field; she gets everyone on the same page and you can always look for her reactions after any bad call is made. Logan is super competitive but always makes sure to stay supportive of everyone on the team,” magnet senior and teammate Parker Armitage (12) said.
Kirkland hopes to finish this season helping her team advance to the playoffs once again. Throughout this season, Kirkland aims to continue to grow her team and as a player, as she approaches her senior year. Due to her interest in international studies and her experience in the NC magnet program, Kirkland plans to study abroad and gain experience in other countries. Even though Kirkland decided not to continue soccer in her college future, she will take the teamwork skills that she learned from soccer and use them in her future.
The Chant wishes Kirkland good luck in her final seasons at NC and her future ahead.
