:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69493687/1205397633.0.jpg)
What characteristics define a Boston College Eagle? Hard work, tenacity, teamwork, and a desire to make a difference outside of your sport. This year, the player from a women’s team who BC Interruption has voted to best embody the characteristics of a BC Eagle is basketball’s Taylor Soule. Also receiving votes this season were Kelly Browne (hockey), Jillian Reilly (lacrosse), and Cara Urbank (lacrosse).
After a breakout season last year, Taylor Soule came into this season not only as an upperclassman leader, but also as the player opponents knew they needed to stop if they wanted to shut BC’s offense down. In what should have been a triumphant return after the team’s best ACC season ever, Soule and her team found themselves dealing with a COVID shortened season.
The Eagles had to pause the season more than once for COVID protocols, but Soule and the other team leaders never let the team give up. Even though the results rarely worked out in BC’s favor this year, nobody on the bench ever gave up, and that starts with team leaders like Soule.
In just 19 games, Soule still managed to average 15.7 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. She led her team in playing time (31.5 minutes per game), points (299) and rebounds (133). She was also second on the team with 24 blocks.
Off the court, Soule was one of many BC players who led the team to actively speak up for Black Lives Matter and spoke up about her own experiences as a Black woman. The women’s basketball team was among the first BC teams to issue a real statement following the murder of George Floyd, and the team was able to host the first of what they plan to be an annual Black History Month game where players honored Black historical figures who inspire them.
Soule is also participating in the ACC’s Professional Development Academy this summer, a program designed to help student athletes grow their leadership skills and work on career development.