Sophomore Elise McDonald is a star athlete, playing in and out of Coral Springs Charter, and she certainly makes an impact. She is no stranger to this world, though, as she began her journey at 4 years old.
McDonald is a defensive midfielder, playing for the Florida United 09 GA team and Coral Springs Charter’s soccer team. She began her journey as an athlete at Coral Springs Charter in her freshman year, where she played on the varsity team. She has definitely left her mark on the team and will likely continue to prosper throughout her time there.
In her freshman season, she won 12 games and lost seven, making it to districts and placing second with a score of 2-1. Her team appreciates her, calling her a joy to play with.
Senior Maria Rojas said, “She always makes sure that I’m not too hard on myself and keeps me working hard throughout games.”
Another player, freshman Lyric Lightfoot Smith, said, “She’s a really positive soul, and her energy is so fun to be around.”
Her motivation is her brother, Coral Springs Charter alum Elijah McDonald. “He’s very driven and works really hard, so it inspires me to keep pushing and work even harder,” she said.
Her top three soccer players are Rose Lavelle, Lindsey Horan and Julie Ertz. “I really look up to their dedication, and one day I wish to be able to play at their level,” McDonald said.
She’s not short of an academic weapon, though, as she maintains her grades, ensuring A’s and B’s while constantly at practice. “Planning things out and making to-do lists really helps me to manage my time,” she said. She is definitely a student-athlete and does an amazing job at prioritizing both focuses in her life.
“My favorite part of soccer is the competition and the reward for working hard,” McDonald said.
Her dedication on and off the field is evident—not only in her impressive athletic achievements but also in her ability to balance academics. With a relentless work ethic and a positive attitude, McDonald continues to be an invaluable player and an even better teammate.
