Connors State Cowboy Way
Taylor Moore
Season number two of the soccer program at Connors State College will soon be underway and for Owasso sophomore Taylor Moore it will be a chance to pay forward the lessons she learned as a freshman in a startup program.
“We had our ups and downs last year, but I felt like we started putting it together late in the season. We had a lot of girls from different towns and backgrounds and so getting everyone to mesh took some time. I think this year those of us that are sophomores can be a big help in giving the newcomers some sound advice on transitioning from high school to college soccer,” said Moore.
Head coach Adam Skolnick acknowledged some of the challenges the women’s program faced last year but was also quick to point out the difference that Taylor made in getting the program going.
“We had some girls that didn’t make it through a bumpy first year of the program, but Taylor was one of the bright spots for us. She led the team in goals and assists and was twice named the regional Player of the Week. One of her highlights was a hat trick she scored against (the University of Arkansas) Cossatot. She was also a candidate for the league MVP.” said the second-year coach. “She comes in and does her job and that’s always a big thing for me is everyone has a defined role, and everyone has to do their job and pull their weight. She’s one of those people that I have to pull off the field because she’ll exhaust herself because she refuses to stop. She takes care of her business on the field and in the classroom and we’re building our team around her this year. She’s a role model of what a Connors State athlete is supposed to be.”
Making the move from a large school and program like Owasso to a start up at Connors has had it challenges according to Moore.
“Going from high school to college was definitely eye opening with all that you have to do. I chose to come to Connors because it was kind of local but not too close to home. Going from a large town to a small one brings back the feeling of family and being part of the start up program just put more fun into it,” said the soft-spoken striker. “When I was young, I tried different sports like basketball which didn’t quite work out and tumbling but I kept falling off the mat,” she laughed, “but I started soccer around first grade and got into playing competitively not long after.”
So what will be one piece of advise she’ll give to the incoming freshmen that she learned in that first year? “Learn how to balance soccer and school and don’t dwell on the past but look ahead,” she said.
