HAMLET — Kaitlyn Huff has always had her eyes set on playing Division I soccer, and now she’s moving one step closer to achieving that dream.
A junior soccer player at Richmond Senior High School, Huff has been a spark in head coach Chris Larsen’s lineup since her freshman year. Although she only played five matches as a sophomore due to the coronavirus, she’s led the team in goals scored the past two seasons with 15 tallies.
Despite not spending much time with her Lady Raider teammates, Huff has been active on the soccer pitch during the pandemic. Recently, she earned a roster spot with the North Carolina FC Elite Club National League’s U17 team.
The Raleigh-based travel soccer program offers players a high level of training and development opportunities, as well as regional and nationwide tournaments to help get them to the collegiate ranks.
Having been with the ECNL club for two months, Huff has already climbed the ladder from the premiere team, which is a tier below her current team.
“It’s very exciting to be a part of the program,” Huff said. “I really wasn’t expecting to get pulled up (to the ECNL team) after two weeks. This is such a big program that’s known for helping develop really good soccer players.
“I’ve always wanted to play for them, and now I get the opportunity to develop as a soccer player,” she added. “It’s exciting because now I can train for college and will hopefully get more looks from coaches.”
Last spring, Huff also trained with the Olympic Development Program, which is an invitation-only program with US Youth Soccer. Her contact there was coach Pete Sadin, who recommended her playing for North Carolina FC.
Huff spent a couple of weeks with Reid Clewis and the premiere team before getting promoted to play for coach Dave Arensdorf and the U17 club. Last year, Huff’s current team was the conference champion.
Traveling to the Wake Competition Center four days a week for training, Huff’s team competes in the Mid-Atlantic Conference. Her ECNL squad will play other teams from North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.
The program also competes in two or three national showcase tournaments per year, one of which was played in Las Vegas last season. Huff will also continue her training with the ODP later this fall.
In the short time she’s spent in Raleigh, Huff said she’s already seeing her craft improve.
“I have a better understanding for the game,” Huff explained. “My view of the field and my speed have also improved.
“When you play at this level, you learn quickly what a good soccer player is and isn’t,” she added. “Soccer isn’t about just kicking the ball around, it’s about passing on the ground and making smart plays.”
Another thing she’s learned is that “college coaches aren’t just looking for players who can score goals.” A lot of what Huff has worked on, she explained, are the mechanics and speed needed to be successful in college.
Hoping to join the DI circuit after high school, Huff said Sadin and Arensdorf are both great resources for recruiting. While she’s open to playing anywhere, Huff wants to play at a college that also has a good biology program, which she plans to major in. Some of the potential contacts include Appalachian State, UNC and UNC-Wilmington.
The Richmond soccer team’s season hasn’t been impacted by COVID-19 too much this upcoming spring, and Huff anticipates playing for Larsen during her junior year.
“I think playing with this travel team and working out with ODP has made me a better player,” Huff closed. “I hope I can help my Richmond teammates out by showing them some of what I’ve learned and by being a leader on the field.”
