Posted: Wednesday, May 5, 2010 1:11 pm

Taylor Francel Sets Sights on Starting

Like most college freshmen, it took time for Tayler Francel to adjust to college life.

 “Overall my first year at Purdue has been a rollercoaster,” said Francel about the conclusion of her freshman year.  “I would say that it has been a great learning year for me. I have grown so much.”

Not only did the Alpine, Calif., resident learn to adapt to new people, weather changes and a harder academic load, but the San Diego Surf alum also learned to adjust to a new level of play.

“Adjusting to the style of play has been one of the greatest challenges for me as a player," Francel said.  "It is starting brand new, with a new team, new positions, and new coaching staff. The game is played differently depending on all of these factors, and it took time but once you put effort into whatever it is you need to work on, it all comes together to a whole new, but very exciting and fast pace game."

A four-year letter winner at her alma-mater Granite Hills HS, Francel was voted team captain and was a two-time All-CIF team and first team All-League performer.  She can sympathize with the vigorous recruiting process and the pressure that comes with it all.  With her first year wrapped, her advice to any high school athlete looking to play at the next level is “to choose a school that you feel most comfortable at.”

Francel choose to attend a school halfway across the country for many reasons, the biggest determinate being the team camaraderie she felt when she visited the campus.

“I immediately got along with the team and could see myself fitting in with them,” Francel said. “The coaching staff here at Purdue was a large impact too. They showed me what their program was all about and made me feel confident in the potential of the team.”

Taryn (L) and Tayler (R) show their school pride.

Another reason for choosing the Big Ten school was that Francel would get to compete against her sister and best friend, Taryn, a sophomore on the Wisconsin women’s soccer team. The two spent years playing alongside each other and for the first time would get to  face off against one another on the field. Sadly, Francel wasn’t able to get in and scrap with Taryn this past season but just seeing her on the opposite side of the field warming up was enough fuel for the competitive fire.

“We knew that we both wanted to beat each other more than anything,” Francel said. “We were still able to laugh about it when the game was over, but not during.”

And while the two sisters were able to laugh about the rivalry, how did their family and friends, who were in the stands watching, choose which Francel to cheer for?

 “Well my dad made split hats with our names and numbers on them,” Francel said. “The rest of my family changed clothing attire during half time.”

Purdue tied for fourth with Minnesota in the Big Ten standings and Wisconsin came in at third. A defender, Francel saw action in seven of the Boilermakers games.  Although she didn’t get a lot of playing time in her first year, watching her veteran teammates play made her realize where she wants to be in the next few years.

“They push me to work hard and help me aspire to be like them both on and off the field,” Francel said.

With senior teammate and defender Sylvia Forbes graduating, a coveted spot has opened up on the Boilermakers back line. While many girls are fighting for numerous positions on defense, Francel has her sights set on that starting spot in the back.

“I feel that in order to reach this goal of mine, it will take a lot of hard work and determination,” Francel said.  “This summer I am committing myself to working on my weaknesses on the field as well as bettering my strengths. I do feel that this will allow me to have a starting spot in the back and I am planning on working until I reach that ultimate goal of mine.”

Although Francel did have adjusting to do when she arrived at Purdue she felt well prepared for the challenge in front of her.  Her sister, Taryn, had warned her about the balancing act of school, soccer and social life, so Francel went in knowing what she wanted to accomplish and learned how to manage her time at school.  Coach Ada Greenwood and the Surf also helped equip Francel for next level of soccer.

"Being with the Surf for nine years prepared me for many things in life," Francel said. "I learned what it was like to play on a nationally ranked team and a very prestigious club. Surf prepared me for recruiting for colleges as well. I was given many opportunities play in front of college coaches and in some of the best tournaments in the nation. This ultimately made my college recruiting process easier and allowed me more options for my future.”

Francel will head back to sunny San Diego for the summer where she will join up with Taryn for the second year in a row playing on the semi-pro team, United.  She hopes to perfect her strengths and work on her weaknesses over the summer in order to nab that starting spot on the Boilermakers back line. It just so happens that Purdue kicks off Big Ten conference play against Wisconsin and Francel doesn’t want to miss out on another chance to scrap with her older sister.