By Ken Hansard

This season will undoubtedly be an interesting transition for the Goddard girls’ soccer team. The Lions lost half of their starters from a year ago. Three of those, including senior outside back / winger Sophie Nguyen, were lost to injury. With so much misfortune, it would seem easy for the Lions to write the season off with excuses, but as a senior leader, Nguyen refuses to allow that to happen, “I’m looking forward to how we will come together and work as a team. I’m excited to see what this season has to
offer.” 

Despite the unfortunate injury, Sophie refuses to waste her time feeling sorry for herself. “Even though I’m injured, I see myself as a leader. I see things on the sideline that the girls on the field most likely can’t see. I’m just trying to have a positive and helpful impact.  I’m confident in our skills and abilities. It’s going to be a good year for the Lions.”

Although the younger Lions will benefit from Nguyen’s sideline perspective, they will undoubtedly miss her contributions on the field. As a junior, Sophie scored four goals as a defender and was named second team all-league (AVCTL Division II) on defense.

Off the pitch, Nguyen plays an active role in her school life and the Goddard community. She is a member of KAY, Goddard Ambassadors, GHS Spirit Club, The Science Club, and NHS (National Honors Society). Sophie will graduate Cum Laude (top 5% of the graduating class) and has been honored as one of only two seniors from each school in the Metropolitan area to be nominated to receive the Timothy O’Shaughnessy Foundation Scholarship.

Sophie plans to continue her education at Wichita State University and major in nursing. She would like to get her Master’s Degree to become a nurse practitioner.