Morgan Flynt on Leading a Team

Morgan Flynt’s 2025 Senior Media Day. Photo Credit: Torry Loftin.

Nat Combs, Staff Writer for The Powderhorn

Morgan Flynt has been playing soccer for over a decade, starting on a travel team at the age of 9. Her teammates describe her as kind, patient, and a great team player. As the only senior on Watauga High School Women’s Soccer team, she plays an integral role as both the team captain and an experienced athlete. Above all, what fuels her love for soccer are the friendships she has formed along the way. 

While some players face burnout after long, uninterrupted seasons, Flynt is the exception. Her years of experience have only led her skill and passion for soccer to grow stronger.

“I will 100% be playing club soccer in college. I'm still considering trying to walk onto a team right now, but I will definitely be playing one way or the other,” said Flynt. “ I really love this sport, so I want to stay connected with it in some way. Whether that is playing or coaching, I'm excited for my future with soccer.” 

Despite the boundless joy she gains from playing soccer, Flynt also faces many challenges. She juggles being a high school athlete, working a part-time job, and maintaining focus on her academic classes.

“It is a long season, going from the beginning of February to May; there is always a point in the season when you feel lost in the sport,” said Flynt. “As much as I love the sport personally, you always hit a low in the high school season due to its demand for commitment. I do enjoy that everyone there is committed, but when things start stacking on top of each other, it just feels overwhelming.” 

Powering through the difficulties, Flynt has played all four years of high school and continues to cherish the many memories she shares with the team.

“One of my favorite memories came from my junior year in the second game of the playoffs. This game was a huge deal for us, considering we were the number 1 seed and the women's soccer team had not made it to the third round in a considerable amount of time,” said Flynt.  “Going into the game, nerves were high, and we wanted to win badly. In the first minute of the game, I scored the game-winning goal, and let me tell you, I was in absolute shock. I've never felt so on top of the world, and being surrounded by all my teammates just made it even better.”

A large part of playing sports is the team itself, those who may be total strangers at the start of the season but, by the end of it, become like family. 

“One piece of advice I would give to someone trying out next year is to be ready to work. While this sounds like an obvious answer, soccer works not only physically but mentally,” said Flynt. “On the physical side, it's difficult due to the training every day and games multiple times a week, and it takes a toll on you. But the mental games are what you should come in ready to work for. It is extremely easy to put your head down and give up in soccer. When your life is surrounded by a sport, small little mistakes will hold you back. You have to be ready to work mentally, be able to keep your head up even if you make a mistake, and stay positive even when you grow frustrated.”

Stressing the importance of positivity and resilience as a tool for soccer, Flynt urges future Watauga soccer players to take time to enjoy learning new things, and making memories with the team. 

“Everyone is looking up to you, so you need to be ready to pick up everyone around you,” said Flynt. ‘You don't realize it, but as soon as you put your head down, you let down every single one of your teammates. You need to be ready to pick up everyone around you and stay positive no matter what. I know that the team is in good hands next year; we have so many leaders on the team who are ready to lead this team.”