Kate Mikalsen is no stranger to success on the soccer field. During her senior season on the Oviedo girls varsity soccer team alone, she has signed to play at a NCAA Division II school, made first team all-Seminole Athletic Conference, and played in the Seminole County vs. Orange County senior all-star game. Not only does Mikalsen have the commitment to excel in her sport, but she has the determination to excel at the next level. 

Since the centerback’s freshman year, Mikalsen has held a spot on Oviedo’s varsity girls soccer roster. This isn’t common for underclassmen at Oviedo, due to the girls team’s reputation of making it far in the playoffs most years with head coach Scott Waisenan. 

“Her strengths are her ability to read the flow of a game and make decisions to help her team in the critical moments of games,” Waisanen said. “She is excellent at taking free kicks and set pieces when the game is on the line.”

Over her high school career, Mikalsen has made her mark at Oviedo. She has contributed to several crucial postseason wins for the Lions, helping uphold the Oviedo varsity girls soccer team’s successful reputation. 

“My favorite memory was last year when we made it to the final four with my best [senior] friends, as that would be the last time I would ever play with them,” Mikalsen said. 

As a senior, Mikalsen is a leader for her underclassmen counterparts, providing them with guidance, support, and teamwork.

“She sets an example in work during games and practices, attitude, and helping organize team activities like team meals,” Waisenan said. 

On top of that, the center back has also played travel soccer on the Florida Kraze Krush team for 6 years with Elite Clubs National League, which has a longstanding national reputation of producing a myriad of college talent. 

“I realized that a couple of years ago I knew what I wanted, and that I wanted to reach that [next] level,” Mikalsen said about playing collegiate soccer.

On February 3, the center back made a verbal commitment to play NCAA Division II soccer at North Greenville University, before officially signing to the Crusaders on National Signing Day on February 7. Mikalsen had offers from other schools, but NGU ultimately ended up at the top of her list. 

“[NGU] stood out to me because they wanted me, and they’re a smaller school with a lot of other sports…” Mikalsen said. “…the coach was very good at communicating and doing everything.”

Although the senior’s time playing soccer at both Oviedo and FKK provided Mikalsen with four to six years of experience and memories, she anticipates the change of playing at the next level.

“I’m looking forward to a new family that you instantly make when you commit,” Mikalsen said. “I can’t wait to play games and explore everything.”

As the world of college sports becomes increasingly more competitive to join, Mikalsen knew that it would take immense commitment and dedication to achieve her goal. 

“Don’t stop and don’t put all of your eggs in one basket, because it won’t always work out and you will have to keep looking,” Mikalsen said about the pursuit of becoming a collegiate athlete. “When you least expect it, something will come up even when it feels like there is nothing.”