You might say that Natalie Perry got a real kick out of her senior season in more ways than one.

Already an established standout on the Lady Pirates soccer team, Natalie spent the fall kicking for the Pirate football team.

“The coaches approached me my sophomore year and asked if I would try out and I did and I ended up kicking in practice and then kicked in one game that year when the kicker was sick. They didn’t need me last year but this year I kicked the whole season and was the district newcomer of the year,” laughed Perry. “I grew up with all the guys on the team, so I guess it was kind of like having a sister play with them.”

Natalie attained All State status this soccer season as the Lady Pirates went 10-5 and made it to the Class 3A playoffs for the second time in her career and as a senior was a team leader this year.

“We were a pretty young, but very talented team this year. I remember what a welcoming group of seniors I had when I was a freshman, and I wanted our young players to feel that way. But I also believe in the motto “Be the hammer not the nail” so I could tend to be kind of vocal when I was trying to get a point across or get people in the right position on the field. I think a good leader is someone who won’t tell a person to do something that they’re not willing to do themselves.”

Natalie says the highlight of her time at Porter occurred during this past soccer season.

“Sequoyah Claremore is one of our biggest rivals and they beat us this year in the Wagoner Tournament which is always big for us. But then we came back and beat them in district play on Senior Night which enabled us to have a home playoff game.”

Natalie scored 83 career goals at Porter while playing forward or attacking midfielder and will play soccer at Northeastern State this coming fall.

“I’ve been around coach (Chase) Wooten for a long time, so NSU was almost like a second home to me.”

In her spare time, Natalie helps lay wreaths for special occasions at the National Cemetery in Fort Gibson and also helps prepare care packages for military personnel overseas during the holidays.