Sep. 19—WORTHINGTON — Sara Esquivel is a team captain of a vastly improving Worthington Trojans girls soccer squad.

She is currently in her senior season at Worthington High School and is a part of a program hitting its stride. While the Trojans' 2-6 record may not seem very impressive, it's already marginally better than their 0-16-1 season a year ago. The Trojans have scored 15 goals so far this season, already more than they scored all of last year (11).

The Trojans' notable improvement is part of a growing interest in girls soccer in the area, both playing it and attending it.

"Having more people interested in girls soccer is really good because I noticed that when I was little, no one really cared about the girls soccer team, everybody said 'they're bad, they can't do anything good and they're always losing,'" Esquivel said. "But now the people are finally supporting us."

Typically in the past, her primary position was on the outside of the midfield. This season, she moved to a center spot in the midfield. Esquivel said the transition has been difficult because of some of the quick decision-making, like when is it a good time to pass the ball and when isn't it. She said a center midfielder has to have good control and have good stamina as well. While the transition has provided some challenges, Esquivel is adjusting to it.

"I am getting used to it really well," she said. "I'm getting better at my passing and my touches, I've also been learning how to switch with my teammate because she loves switching up all the time, so we're getting used to that. Also, I love how my outside mid is helping me communicate with them and I'll help them communicate back."

Esquivel has been playing soccer for around six years, and one of the things she loves about it is being part of a team. She noted communication as one of her biggest strengths as a player. She describes herself as being a good leader, as someone who tries to keep the team calm and to still have fight even when they're down.

"It feels good that the girls do look up to me because I am really calm..." Esquivel said. "It's just sometimes they expect so much from me on the field that it could be frustrating that if I do a bad play, I'm like 'oh no I did something bad for them.' And then they're like 'it's fine, everybody makes mistakes,' which I really like the girls for (doing)."

Along with soccer, Esquivel is also on the dance team in the winter, something she said has even helped her in soccer, such as improving her balance. In the past she has done track during the spring, something she might do again this year.

As for her plans after high school, Esquivel wants to be an immigration attorney because she wants to help families get their green card or visa and to help parents have a better life or job for their children.