Bridget Murphy ‘25
Gelila Getachew ‘25
Libby Flaisher ‘25
Playing soccer since she was three years old, Kendal Elison ‘22 exudes a confident and reassuring presence on the field. Elison started attending The Episcopal Academy her freshman year and was immediately given the opportunity to play varsity throughout her high school career.
“I love the competitiveness of it [soccer] and being able to form a family with the team,” says Elison, “I’ve always been a competitive kid. I just grew up in sports, and soccer was a perfect fit for me,” Elison comments, “The family culture and aspect of soccer interested me, and just being able to be on a team and meet people.” Her love for the sport and ambitious drive began to develop when she joined her first ever soccer team, The Little Kickers. Many years later, she’s a part of Episcopal’s Varsity team, currently plays for the FC Delco ECNL team, and, to top this all off, was selected to play in France, during her sophomore year.
Girls’ Varsity Soccer Coach Andrew Fraggos met Elison four years ago, when she first joined the Episcopal community. He recalls, “One of the first times I saw Kendal play was at a tryout for the Olympic Development Program. She was a very versatile player with a high soccer intelligence.” He adds, “Kendal has come up big for us this year in many different games as an attacking player, but her defensive performance versus the very talented Springside Chestnut Hill [SCH] team really kept us in the game.”
Fraggos says that, “Kendal is a ‘no excuses’ player, who not only wants feedback, but looks to implement the feedback given to her.” These efforts allow her to stand out from other players as a clear leader and accomplished player. Kennedy Moore ‘22 agrees, “Kendall doesn’t have any off days. Every day is an on day [for her].” Bella Piselli ‘22, the co-captain alongside Elison, mentions, “Especially in practices, when she sees someone not performing at their best or someone not giving it 100%, she will be the first one to get everyone back involved, and set a standard that everyone else can follow.”
When asked about how she tries to emulate past captains on the Episcopal varsity team, she said, “They were just so welcoming, but they brought ambition and drive to every practice and game, which was awesome. They were the best leaders I’ve ever had.” Piselli remarks, “Even if she’s [Elison] not on the field and she’s on the sideline, she’s the first person cheering everyone else on.” Her fellow teammate, Caroline Mark ‘22, adds, “Kendal’s constant encouragement on the field, especially to those playing directly next to her is motivating, mainly when we’re playing a tough game.”
Kendal’s position at center-mid is the vital connection between the opposite sides of the field. Moore adds, “Everybody can see her, everybody can hear her. Kendal can get everybody on the same page and regroup. She can always calm everybody down in an intense game. She’s the perfect link between the defense and the forwards.”
Courtesy of Kendal Elison ’22
Piselli adds, “She’s not afraid to get knocked off the ball and she’s not afraid to give just as much contact back [to her opponents].” Moore says, “She’s short but mighty.”
Elison has many favorite memories, but her favorite would have to be the karaoke she and the soccer players sing on their way to games. Elison explains, “I sang ‘Party in the USA’, it was pretty good. I did some dance moves, and the whole bus watched. It was a great introduction to the team my freshmen year.” Moore also points out Elison’s sense of humor by saying “Kendal always has a clean one-liner to finish off her co-captains speech. It’s hilarious.”