Submitted photo: Fort Dodge Senior High graduate Francis Lee, the head coach of the North Polk girls soccer program, waves to the crowd during the team’s championship celebration ceremony.

If you can’t find Francis Lee on the North Polk girls soccer sidelines, just listen.

Lee isn’t bashful about cheering her team on. In fact, she encourages it.

Lee, a 2014 Fort Dodge Senior High graduate, wears her emotion on her sleeve.

She’s unapologetic about it.

“I’m different than most coaches. I try to bring as much energy as possible,” Lee said. “I want all of us to be loud because we need to celebrate when we succeed.

“Soccer is hard. Goals aren’t easy to come by.”

This sport has been a part of Lee’s life for as long as she can remember. After a successful high school career with the Dodgers, Lee went on to play at William Penn University.

Lee wasn’t exactly sure what path she wanted to take, until continuing in soccer became an option.

“I was undecided if I wanted to be a coach or what,” Lee said. “I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to make a career out of it.

“My sophomore year I became more interested, and decided that’s what I wanted.”

Lee recently concluded her fifth year as head coach at North Polk. This past season, she guided the Comets to the program’s first-ever state championship.

“When I first came to North Polk, there was a transition,” Lee said. “For me, it’s a lot more than just soccer. It’s about consistency and being there for the girls.

“Having energy and being passionate is so important. The bigger picture for me is making sure our kids become better humans on and off the field.”

If you can’t see Lee on the sidelines, you will be able to hear her excitement and vibrant emotional style on the Comets’ bench.

She has also worked in the club system for the last eight years at Sporting Iowa, while serving as an assistant coach at Simpson College in Indianola.

Prior to that, Lee spent a year and half in the Virgin Islands helping grow the game for female soccer players.

“While I was in the Virgin Islands, I was there to encourage young females that they could play soccer,” Lee said. “I helped create a club system as well as working PE time, and got their brand going. I also had a hand in helping with their national squad.”

With all the different levels of soccer that Lee either has been or is currently involved in, she believes it still comes down to one thing: relationships.

“I want to make good connections for all female athletes,” Lee said. “Build strong bonds. If you can do that, the rest will follow.

“It’s sometimes tough to wear so many different hats, but I love what I do and do what I love.”

Growing up, Lee played under her father at FDSH — Dr. Michael Lee — and took plenty away from her experience with both him and her mother, Darcy.

“It’s funny…growing up my dad was a doctor and very stoic,” Lee said. “Actually my vibrant loud personality came from my mom’s side. I have a passionate coaching style, but I also have dad’s ability to be more thoughtful and thinking when necessary.

“I show my emotions at a high level, and I want to do what’s best for my athletes.”

In her five seasons at North Polk, Lee has invested a lot of sweat equity in growing the program. The Comets have reached state four times.

North Polk was a state qualifier in 2022. Lee then guided the Comets to the quarterfinals in 2023, and they were state runner-ups in her third season. They missed the tournament last spring, but came back with vengeance in 2026.

The run to the title had a full circle moment, as the Comets knocked off powerhouse Dallas Center-Grimes — the four-time defending state champion. North Polk scored the winning goal with only 40 seconds remaining in the victory over the Mustangs.

“Every year is a good and different challenge. I want to grow as both a coach and a female role model,” Lee said. “There will be ups and downs, which is all a part of the journey.

“Soccer is unpredictable. You may be the better team overall, but not the better team that day. That’s what makes it special. And everyone can play.”

This year’s historic run was memorable and atoned for last spring’s disappointment.

“Not making it in 2025 played a big part in this year’s mindset,” Lee said. “My role was to continue the success moving forward. It’s great to win games and conference championships during the journey, even if the ultimate goal doesn’t happen. The work and mentality is what counts and matters most.

“As a coach, I have to have the ability to see what my players need. It’s great to have a winning culture and that’s my goal moving forward, but I want to help mold and coach good people who are also productive academically and can be held accountable.”