Sports Spotlight: Brielyn Knowles, Windermere Prep girls soccer

Windermere Prep sophomore Brielyn Knowles has been a member of the Lakers’ varsity girls soccer team since seventh grade and most recently finished this past soccer season as one of the team’s top scorers. Knowles, a force in the midfield, started playing soccer at age 7 and hopes to eventually play at the collegiate level.
 

When did you first start playing soccer?

At a young age, my parents kind of thew me into a bunch of sports, and I think when I was 7 or so, I took a liking to basketball and soccer. But from then on, soccer started to become my main sport.
 

What has kept you motivated to stay in the game for so long?

I feel like it’s just being surrounded by all of my friends, and it’s such a good environment, and everyone is just playing the sport they love together. I think all of that passion within the sport keeps me going and keeps me playing.
 

You’ve been on the varsity team since seventh grade. What would you say is the biggest change you’ve seen in yourself since then?

My leadership has definitely gotten better. Starting varsity playing with the upperclassmen and all of the older girls at such a young age, I started to take note from their leadership skills, and I started to add that to me playing varsity now — getting older — to the younger kids on the team. And I think just communication skills, overall, because playing with the older girls at first is kind of scary, and it’s kind of weird playing with girls who weren’t even in my age group.
 

What was this last season like for you?

This season was honestly one of the best seasons that I think Windermere Prep has had, and it was probably my favorite season to play through — I had the most fun with the girls on this team. During the season, I was just trying to get over that hill — being in 10th grade, next year is when the colleges start to scout, and this is the time I’ve really been trying to work on myself.
 

What is your favorite part about playing in the midfield? What is the most challenging part?

So my favorite thing — for sure — is just being in the play at all times. I like attacking, I like defending, and I feel like the ball goes through the midfield, so I just love in the play and around the ball at all times. And I think (that) connects and relates to the most challenging part, which is being aware of where I am on the field at all times and where the ball is, and I need to be aware of where my teammates are.
 

Is there a highlight moment for you at Windermere Prep?

Winnings states last year was definitely the highlight of my years — probably one of the most fun games I’ve played in. It was so exciting and it was a nail-biter, and it was one of the best games the team has ever played.
 

What do you like doing in your spare time?

Honestly, just hanging out with my friends and hanging out with my family, going to the beach — one of my favorite things when I have down time.