Harley

What do they love most about playing their sport(s)?

Harley loves the pressure. She loves the moment when the game comes down to one decision, one breakaway, one save, and her team is counting on her. In goal, she becomes fearless, intense, and completely locked in. Off the field, she is humble and kind. Soccer gives her a place to compete, lead, grow, and continually discover what she is capable of.

Who inspires them—on or off the field—and why?

Coach Carlos Bautista changed the direction of Harley’s soccer journey. As head coach of the Lady Packers varsity program, he recognized something special in her when she was only a sixth grader and had just returned to goal. He invited her to train with his varsity girls and later took her, the only middle school player, to camps at Georgia Southwestern State University and Thomas University. His belief in her helped Harley begin to see what might be possible.

What’s one moment in their athletic journey that makes you proudest?

It began when Harley left her starting striker role midway through sixth grade because her team needed a goalkeeper. She stepped in without hesitation, and that one decision changed everything. Since then came varsity training, college camps, consecutive MVP awards, captain selections for sixth grade, seventh grade, and club soccer, and this summer, 1:1 training with a professional goalkeeper visiting from Mexico. Regardless, she remains the same humble kid who simply loves the game.