Haylee Wilson Hoping For Increased Role Moving Forward for Edinboro Soccer

Haylee Wilson (4) is pictured with teammate Hadley Sleith (8). Photo submitted.

Haylee Wilson did not get her start in soccer till the seventh grade, but it hasn’t stopped her from becoming a college player for the Edinboro Fighting Scots program. An Erie County native by way of Harbor Creek, going to Edinboro was a bigger decision than playing college soccer.

A three-time letter winner for the Lady Huskies, Wilson’s biggest reason to head to Edinboro was to become a Speech and Language Pathologist. In particular, she wants to work in the hospital setting with stroke and trauma patients to help them on their path towards a life they once knew.

This leads to explaining Wilson’s why; her why in choosing this path for her career. Working with the deaf and hard of hearing community is something close to her as her younger brother, Braylen, is partially deaf. Seeing the difference the medical professionals made in his life has inspired Wilson to pay it forward and make this her career.

Interestingly, another person close to her has helped her realize that Edinboro was all around the best spot for her. This person is Edinboro Head Soccer Coach Gary Kagiavas, one of her club coaches with MSA during her high school days. Wilson cites Coach Kagiavas as the most influential person in her soccer career as he helped her make a leap from junior varsity as a freshman to a three-year varsity starter and eventual team captain over a few months of summer workouts and training.

Wilson, now a sophomore defender, is adjusting to a new position at right-center back within the Fighting Scots defense, while also hoping to earn an expanded role from a season ago. In 2021, Wilson played in four games and adjusted to playing just one position instead of various like in high school.

So far, her favorite memories include being able to play for Coach Gary and Coach Jamie at Edinboro, scoring her first collegiate goal in scrimmage against Gannon to tie the game at 1-1, scoring a game winning goal in overtime with four seconds left while playing for Harbor Creek, and being able to go from junior varsity player to varsity starter after a bigger summer between her freshman and sophomore years of high school.

As time goes on, Haylee Wilson will continue to expand her role with Edinboro soccer and inch her way closer to helping the deaf and hard of hearing community members improve their lives. Best of luck as you take on sophomore year, Haylee! ⚽️

Photo courtesy of Duffy Gallagher.