Taylor Skala played forward for the Rockhurst soccer team and plays guard for the basketball team. This soccer season, she was named GLVC Offensive Player of the Year, Daktronics Inc. Midwest Region Player of the Year, and First Team Academic All American. She answered some questions about her season and career at Rockhurst.

Since you entered Rockhurst University your freshman year, you have started every single game. Is that something you take pride in that? 
 
Skala: Starting is not something that I would say matters most to me. What matters most is doing something with the minutes you are getting because a team is only as good as is weakest player and I would like to think that the 30 some girls (traveling team and non-travelers) have contributed tremendously to team success. Whether it is making me work harder in practice or the subs scoring two goals to pick us up against S & T, our team is talented all around. I will say that on the first practice on Freshman year, I knew that we were going to have a strong team all around because the incoming Freshman and Katie Kujawa (the transfer) scrimmaged the returning players and won! :) I did take pride in that one.
 
Were there any times you played through an injury?
 
Skala: Yes, I played sophomore year with tendonitis in both knees all season, junior year I played through IT band problems, and this year I am fighting plantar fasciitis. Getting old really takes a toll on the body haha
 
Who was your soccer idol growing up?
 
Skala: My soccer idol growing up was either Mia Hamm because she was an insane forward who scored countless goals for the national team and she was also a role model off the field starting her own organizations. David Beckham was up there as well because he was attractive and I loved the movie "Bend it Like Beckham" haha, but he is also extremely talented. 
 
You broke two school records this year. The former records were 41 career goals and 99 career points. You finished with 48 career goals and 108 career points. How does it feel to be a part of Rockhurst history?
 
Skala: It feels absolutely amazing to be a part of Rockhurst history because this university has had such a positive impact on my life over the past four years. I will always cherish the memories made here with amazing people. My time here will always hold a special place in my heart so I am happy that I am able to be apart of its success. 
 
What was your favorite sports memory?
 
Skala: I have to choose just one...hmm... My favorite memories had to be last year at Nationals. The whole trip was so much fun because it was just our team doing what we love to do, play soccer. Everyone was focused, but we still found time to just enjoy each other's company. I was able to get to know the girls on a more personal level and we even made a video to document the trip. It was of the team dancing and singing and just enjoying this beautiful life. We know how lucky it is to be given a shot at Nationals and we enjoyed it to the fullest. We even got dessert at our team dinner at Bonefish grill! Yum! I will miss playing games on the bus trips, having the team over at my house in Chicago for team meal, ice baths at the hotels, and team water aerobics. 
 
Do you play FIFA? And would you consider yourself good?
 
Skala: HA. Funny joke. I played FIFA on nintendo 64 for the first time last year with Kasey Lierz. We were on the same team and we had to quit after the computer scored 9 goals on us...it was on the easiest difficulty too. We will stick to the field!
 
You play both soccer and basketball at the collegiate level. How was it managing two sports with practice, games and schoolwork?

Skala: It was tough, but I would do it again with no complaints. I cannot believe it is coming to a close. Time flies. I lived a far from "normal" college student life. I would have to tell my friends that I wasn't able to go out with them because I needed to study. I spent a lot of my time studying on the nine hour bus trips. I missed classes, but teachers were very accommodating with letting me take tests early and my peers would send me the notes. On game day it was tough to concentrate in class, but luckily this season I did not have schedule class on Fridays! Whoop whoop!
 
What advice would you give someone thinking about playing two sports in college?
 
Skala: If you are given the chance, do it. Absolutely do it. If you can successfully time manage and say no to hanging out with friends because you have to study, then you can do it. If playing two sports is a passion, you will find a way to balance your life and the sports will be your break from studying, your teammates will keep you sane and representing your school will become one of your favorite hobbies. Nothing is better than college sports. I was lucky enough to play two.  
 
What are your plans after school? And have you ever thought about playing at the next level?
 
Skala: My plans for after school are to go on to medical school. I am in the process of applying and am deciding between general surgery, internal medicine, and dermatology. As much as I would love to keep playing, the opportunity has not presented itself and I believe I would be able to contribute more by pursuing my passion in medicine. 
 
Do you think your records will ever be broken? And do you want them to?
 
Skala: Definitely or at least I hope so. The ex-record holder came up to me after she was inducted into the Hall of Fame and told me that she is glad she was inducted this year because she knew I would break her record this year. Rockhurst soccer is a family of past, present and future athletes. I absolutely love that. I would love to come back and congratulate someone for overtaking my record. Jessica Cook and Mia Zanaboni joked about coming after me next year. I would love nothing more than for them to do it! Rockhurst Women's soccer will be successful and I will be extremely happy and proud to say that I was a part of that.