Athlete of the Week: Kappel Keeping Sandburg Soaring

Victoria Kappel is no stranger to pressure. She's been playing soccer since she was 5 years old and she's played competitively on local club teams.

As a senior leader and goalkeeper for , she has helped the Eagles to a 7-0 record so far this season, with six of those wins being shutouts recorded by Kappel.

Kappel has added another accomplishment to her list: She is Patch’s Athlete of the Week.

"I like the pressure of people shooting on me because it keeps me involved in the game and involved with my defense at the same time,” she says. “They’ve got my back, I have their back. It works out well.”

Kappel helped lead the Eagles to third place in state in 2009 and second place in 2010, and she's trying to help the team reach the very top this season.

"From her being a freshman to now, it's amazing to see how she's grown as an athlete and as a person, Sandburg coach Desi Vuillaume said. “She's one of those athletes that we hate to give up. I wish there was some way we could keep her another year. Her work ethic is unbelievable and everyone looks up to her.”