If this was a normal year for Kaylee Sturans and the Misericordia University women's soccer program, the team would be preparing for a conference title run. But, 2020 and COVID-19 had different plans.

In July, the Middle Atlantic Conference cancelled all athletic competition through December 31, 2020 due to the pandemic. With this announcement, the women's soccer team fall season was cancelled, but the team is still preparing for a potential spring season.  Sturans and all other Misericordia student-athletes are experiencing practices and workouts unlike any other throughout their athletic careers.

"I think this unique style of practice has limited us in what we need to do to be prepared in that we have not been able to put the concepts we have been learning and developing in our sessions into a full-field scrimmage yet due to COVID," said Sturans.  "Scrimmages allow us to see the whole game come together and take what we have been learning and see it play out on the field."

Although this different style of practice doesn't allow Sturans and her teammates to see the complete picture that the team is seeking, she feels the coaching staff is still preparing the team well to compete come the spring, if the season is on.

"Our coaches have done a great job at being creative in coming up with new drills that still allow us to learn and understand important game-like offensive and defensive concepts that we would normally learn in a regular season while still being socially safe," said Sturans, a two-time first-team All-MAC Freedom selection at back.  "Practices are different, but we still make sure they are productive, competitive and fun to still get something out of it at the end of the day."

Stepping into her junior season, Sturans has assumed the role of a captain.  With leadership as important as ever in these trying times, Sturans' main goal as captain is to ensure her teammates remain motivated even without a game in sight.

"We have a responsibility as captains to do what is best for our team and what is going to help us succeed," said Sturans.  "Many of the things we are doing as leaders this year is making sure everyone shows the same commitment and dedication level as if we were in an actual season and constantly reminding each other that the work we put in now will pay off in the end."

Sturans feels that the fall practice season has given the team time to work on things that they needed to improve on to get back to their championship pedigree, and she is hopeful to return to the limelight with her teammates before she hangs up her cleats for the last time.

"One thing I hope to accomplish at Misericordia before I graduate is to make it to the NCAA Final Four and win the national championship," said Sturans.

While making an NCAA Final Four and claiming a national championship are the highest honors in collegiate athletics, Sturans is no stranger to bringing in hardware. In her two-year college career, Sturans has received awards for Academic All-MAC, Wendy's Athlete of the Month, All-MAC Freedom and All-Region. Despite the awards, Sturans remains humble and deflects all the praise to her teammates and coaches.

"Earning these awards over the past two years has meant a lot, but it also serves as a reminder to me that I would not have received any of those rewards without the help of my teammates, coaches, and family by my side every step of the way," said Sturans.  "They push me to be a better player and motivate me to work even harder. All of them are my biggest supporters on and off the field and I would not have received any of those nor would I be the player I am without them."

Those feelings epitomize Sturans as a player and person and show why she will go down as one of the best to come through the women's soccer program at Misericordia University.