Junior Mackenzie Stearns dribbles down the field during a game against San Marcos at Poway. She defends her goal and makes quick passes to her teammates.

On the field Stearns is a force to be reckoned with, starting from the age of just two and a half years old, she quickly earned a reputation as an outstanding soccer player. “My dad loves soccer so much so he introduced me, then from there I had gained the same love so I kept playing,” she said. 

Stearns now sets the tone for the players around her, as she continues to add to the game with her style and precision. She inspires many with her determination.

Outside of Poway High, Stearns plays for the 2008 SoCal Blues E.C.N.L (Elite Clubs National Team) and has accomplished many goals, such as being named to the ECNL best 11 players for her league and being a part of the USWNT (United States Women’s National Team) player pool. 

She recently traveled to for the ECNL playoffs Seattle, WA where the top teams compete at the national championships. 

At Poway, she has played on varsity since her freshman year.  

“Aside from being smart, she is so technically sound, She is a very good tackler, and she goes in hard,” arsity head coach Bryan Mark said, adding, ” She is tough to beat on one-on-one, has a good free kick, scores some goals, she’s also really good at set pieces, and winning headers.  Kenzie is the overall package, she’s a coach’s dream,” v. 

Stearns recently committed to play Division I soccer and further her education at the University of Washington. “I love the campus and the environment, but I also love the coaching staff so much, and they got to know me really well,” Stearns said.

 She has played for many soccer clubs such as Albion, Poway Vaqueros, Force FC, San Diego Surf, and finally at SoCal Blues. At her first club, Albion Juniors, her favorite memory was when she won  her first Surf Cup. Stearns works hard on and off the field to increase her knowledge of the game and her skills. 

Although a crucial part of soccer is individual skills, Stearns knows how to be a leader and drive her team in the right direction. According to coach Bryan Mark and her teammates, she helps the team grow positively and leads by example.  

Girls’ Varsity Soccer is currently third in league currently as of Jan 22. Their next home game will be on Jan. 28 at Mission Hills.