Brooke Kane didn’t get everything she wanted this spring.
But she got the most important thing.
Kane is a senior at Nazareth Academy High School, and she came into the final season of her athletic career needing just a few goals to become the school’s all-time leading scorer in lacrosse. It’s almost certain she would have broken it, but everything was canceled because of the coronavirus.
“I was super upset because we had a pretty good team and we had expectations,” said Kane, who lives in Winchester Park. “It was my last year here, so it was hard when they told us we weren’t going to be playing. We missed out on a lot of things because of this. It’s hard, especially when you’re a senior.”
One thing Kane didn’t miss out on: a chance to play athletics at the Division I level. And she’s doing it at the place she wanted to go all along.
In April, Kane committed to Temple University, where she’ll play soccer for the Owls. She’ll join senior Djavon Dupree, of Central, and sophomore Taylor Teal, of Philadelphia Academy Charter, as city players on the Owls’ roster next year.
She got the good news from new Temple coach Nick Bochette, who took over the program in January. Prior to hearing from the North Philly school, she had some offers to play, but when Temple wanted her, the choice was an easy one.
“I really love that it’s in Philly and there’s so much you can do down there, I wanted to live in the city,” Kane said. “I visited Temple and I loved it. I really wanted to play there. I visited before, and when I went back, I just loved it.
“It’s in a great location. I can still come home, and my family can come to the games. It’s everything I wanted. I’m so happy it worked out.”
Sports have been working out for Kane her entire career at Nazareth.
Obviously, she’s one of the most celebrated lacrosse players in school history, but she might have had an even better soccer career.
She guided Nazareth to a strong season this year and she did so by playing out of position for most of it. She’s a defender by trade, and that’s likely what she’ll play when she gets to Temple, but this year she played offensive midfield for the Pandas, and she did quite well running the show offensively. And she did it by playing unselfishly.
“I’m a defender, that’s what I mostly do for my club team (FC Bucks), but I like playing midfield, too,” Kane said. “I’ll do whatever they need, but I think I’m a better defender. I’ve played that most of my life. This year, they needed me to play center mid, and I liked that.”
Playing pretty much any position, Kane’s versatility makes her such a commodity on the field. But instead of bragging about what she can do, she passes the honors around.
“I’m lucky because I have great coaches and I really have to thank them for everything they’ve done to make me a better player,” Kane said. “Coach (Dan) Brady helped me so much at Nazareth, he’s a great coach, and so has (club team coach) Audrey Anderson. They’ve helped me so much. I loved playing for them.
“I’m going to miss everything about Nazareth, but I think the biggest thing I’ll miss are my friends. I’ll miss the teachers, my coaches. Nazareth has been a great school. I’m going to miss it a lot.”
But now she has something to look forward to.
Assuming things go back to normal, Kane plans on starting at Temple in July to prepare for the season. Since she committed during the shutdown, she hasn’t met most of her teammates, but she has had an opportunity to chat with them.
“We’ve talked over Zoom, but we haven’t been able to meet,” Kane said. “I know it’s going to be a challenge, but I’m super excited.”
She’ll be doing more than just playing soccer. She plans on majoring in health professions.
“I plan on being an (occupational therapist), so this is like pre-occupational therapy,” Kane said. “It will be challenging, but it’s something I’m really interested in.”
Kane will be ready for the school work, and she’s doing everything she can to make sure she’ll be ready for soccer.
Like all athletes, Kane is unable to work with trainers or go to gyms, but she’s still putting in the work.
“I usually go to the track at Judge and run there or (Lansing’s field),” said Kane, who will focus on one sport in college. “I’m just trying to stay in shape and be ready when the season starts. I’ll keep doing it. I’m running a lot and just trying to stay ready.
“I’m super excited because I’ve wanted to go to Temple. I was very happy when I found out I was going there. It’s good because it’s close, I can still come home and see everyone and I’m living in the city, which I love.”
