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Lucy Kesler, who graduated from American Fork High School one year early, has joined the BYU women's soccer this summer.

Nate Edwards, BYU Photo

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Lucy Kesler, left, poses with BYU coach Jennifer Rockwood at a soccer camp when she was 11 years old.

Courtesy Kesler Family

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American Fork junior Lucy Kesler kicks the ball during the 6A championship game against Lone Peak at America First Field in Sandy on Friday, Oct. 20, 2023.

Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald

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American Fork players celebrate with junior Lucy Kesler (second from left) after she scored a goal during the Region 3 game against Westlake in American Fork on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.

Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald

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American Fork junior Lucy Kesler runs with the ball during the Region 3 game against Westlake in American Fork on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.

Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald

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American Fork's Lucy Kesler (13) dribbles between two Davis defenders during a 6A girls soccer quarterfinal match on Thursday, October 13, 2022.

Darnell Dickson/Daily Herald

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American Fork sophomore Lucy Kesler (13) heads the ball during the Region 4 game against Lone Peak in Highland on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022.

Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald

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Lucy Kesler takes a penalty kick while playing for her club team, LaRocca.

Courtesy Kesler Family

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According to her mother, Camille, Lucy Kesler’s first complete sentence when she was 18 months old was “You don’t tell me what to do.”

It was not so much defiance as it was resolve, the beginning of a journey that would lead Lucy Kesler to graduate a full year early from high school and join the BYU women’s soccer team this summer, despite those who thought it might be hard or even impossible.

Apparently, once Lucy Kesler decides to do something, it’s not a question of “if” but “when.”

“It’s pretty amazing to me that she basically woke up the first week of January and was like, ‘I’m supposed to go to BYU this fall,'” Camille Kesler said. “From that moment on there was no turning back for her. She is just that kind of kid who knows God has a plan for her and she has always had the courage to do hard things. It doesn’t really matter what others think or what other kids her age are doing. She’s always finds a way to accomplish what she sets out to do.”

Lucy Kesler helped lead American Fork to the 6A finals last fall, scoring 15 goals and dishing out five assists as a junior. The cousin of current Cougar Ellie Walbruch was being recruited by BYU and many other schools.

“When Coach (Jennifer) Rockwood and I discussed my goals in January, I just kind of felt like it was the right time to go this year instead of next,” Lucy Kesler said. “I’ve always known I wanted a challenge and this was a really good opportunity.”

Lucy Kesler credits her family and friends, as well as coaches and teammates both in high school and with her LaRocca club team, in pushing her to excel and supporting her in the hard work in the classroom it took to achieve her goal.

“The one thing people always ask me is if I think I’m going to miss out on my senior year of high school,” Lucy Kesler said. “I’ve loved the past three years at American Fork and did everything I wanted to do socially, academically and athletically. I made awesome memories but I don’t feel like I have any regrets.”

Lucy Kesler did all the coursework required to graduate early and joined the BYU women’s soccer team two weeks ago.

“Coming in as the youngest, I really wanted to perform well,” she said. “It’s been awesome. The team welcomed me with opens arms. We’ve done some conditioning and free play, getting to know the girls on the team. It’s been hard but really good. I have a lot to learn and it’s a big leap, but I feel like I’m ready. I’m excited to be pushed while being able to play at such a high level.”

Lucy Kesler said she is planning to study nutritional science and possibly go to medical school, following in the footsteps of her parents who work in the medical field. Camille Kesler is a nurse and Lucy’s father, Cameron, is a doctor.

Rockwood is rebuilding her roster after 11 seniors graduated and two starters are serving missions from a team that advanced to the NCAA semifinals. Lucy Kesler isn’t the only recruit to jump ahead a year. Abbi Sine, who has played with the US youth national team while competing at a soccer academy in Texas, is also starting her freshman season a year early.

My ultimate goal is to play pro,” Sine said during an interview on ESPN 960. “I would love to play in Europe. The important thing for me was to get on with stuff. It was BYU or bust for me. The program is amazing. I love the environment and Coach Rockwood. I’ve been going to BYU soccer camps since I was nine and I would go two weeks in a row so they would notice me.

“This team is all in. These girls are all in for each other and they want it for the next group coming in. Religion is celebrated and highlighted as a part of you. I love the style of play with high possession and high press.”

Rockwood said the program has never had a recruit graduate a year early to join the team, let alone two in the same season.

“I think they were anxious to take the next step,” Rockwood said. “This has never happened with us but knowing how many players we graduated, the door is a little bit more open for freshmen. That might have played into their decision. With the growth of soccer in college and professionally, we might see more young players do this. We’re excited to have both of them this fall.”

Women’s soccer is the first sport on campus to officially start competing. The Cougars have their Blue and White Scrimmage on Aug. 3 and have scheduled a pair of exhibition matches against Utah Valley (Aug. 7) and Wyoming (Aug. 9).