LYNN — When KIPP Academy’s girls soccer team was forced to forfeit games due to injuries — ending the program’s season — junior Priscila Lopez was left without a team.
She quickly found another.
As of last month, Lopez went from being a girls soccer player to a kicker on the varsity football team.
“I had heard about them needing a kicker, but I never thought I was going to be the one,” said 5-foot-0, 100-pound Lopez. “They had asked me to come play and, at first, I was a little . . . you know, but then I took a chance and now I’m here.”
Her presence was felt Wednesday evening when KIPP defeated Lynn Tech 34-12 in a Thanksgiving Eve showdown. The right-footed kicker was 4-for-4 on her extra-point attempts.
All four were right down the middle with plenty of leg.
“Today, she was able to shine and I’m so happy for her,” said KIPP coach Jim Rabbitt, who added Lopez could kick for two hours straight if she wanted to. “She has gotten more accustomed to the pressure of real-game kicks.”
And it only took one for Lopez to find her rhythm.
“After the first one went in, it just kept going on from there,” she said.
After three practices a week with the girls soccer team, Lopez now practices six days a week. It’s one of several adjustments, but overall, she feels she’s been “a fit” with the rest of the team.
“Going from a girls team to a guys team isn’t the same, but I think they’ve welcomed me. The coaches, ever since I’ve joined, have been very supportive and welcoming,” Lopez said. “Next year, I’m a senior and I’m pretty positive I’m going to play.”
Rabbitt said the addition of Lopez helped build team chemistry.
“The guys love her,” he said. “They want to protect her and say, ‘no one’s going near Priscila.’”
