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10/06/2016 12:00 AMAfter years of playing alongside many of the same girls on the soccer field, Haley Hammen is now in her final season with her teammates at Valley Regional High School. Haley, who’s been playing soccer since she was in elementary school, wants to make her senior year with the Warriors one to remember.
“It will be bittersweet because I’ve played so long with the same group of girls. We have potential to do really good things, so if we could execute that potential, it’d be really nice to go out with a positive outcome,” says Haley, whose team is 5-2-1. “We’d love to win Shorelines or go far in states, but the goal we should focus on is to do our best every game and that should take us far. I try to take it day by day and work hard.”
Haley is a lifelong Essex resident and so she’s known most of her teammates for many years. Those longtime relationships have helped Haley’s teams find success on the field.
“By now, we have good chemistry,” says Haley. “I feel comfortable playing with them. I know what they’ll do and I know how they can help me.”
Haley is working hard to lead by example as a co-captain of the Warriors with Maleena Frazier. When she entered high school as a freshman, Haley had hoped to one day become a captain and so she feels happy to have realized that goal. Lloyd Warren, a first-year head coach at Valley, has seen Haley’s leadership firsthand.
“Haley is a great character to have around the team and really does set a good example for other players,” says Warren. “She was chosen by her teammates to be our captain alongside Maleena Frazier this year. This is a testament to the positive outlook Haley has and the trust and belief her teammates have in her.”
While Haley has always loved soccer, she says that things really started to click when she joined the team at John Winthrop Middle School for 7th and 8th grade. Haley liked the added competitiveness, and the team’s undefeated season in 8th grade made her even more excited for competing in high school. Haley remembers a JV game where her team was down 5-0, but came back to win. By the end of her freshman season, Haley was pulled up to the varsity team during the postseason. She earned some time on the varsity squad her sophomore year, as well. Haley became a varsity regular by her junior year and has started every game so far this season. Haley grew up playing forward and then midfield, but her former coach Matt Mesite moved her to the right back position during her time with the JV team.
“He had the best intentions. I really like playing there and I’m glad he moved me there,” says Haley. “When we play four in the back, I like how I have the ability to go up as a wing or midfielder would do, but I can still stay back and help on defense. It’s not as demanding as going up and down field as a midfielder would and I have the ability to play a little bit of attack, too.”
Haley demonstrated her offensive skills in a recent 2-0 win against Westbrook as she scored one of the Warriors’ goals. While Haley was happy to score, she notes that she more often tallies assists.
“It felt good, but scoring goals was never my main thing. I’m just happy to help the team,” says Haley. “The transition [to Coach Warren] has been good overall. We definitely have more direction and guidance on what we should be doing and that has translated well into the games.”
Haley also thanks her offseason coach Steve Tolley for his help and for coming to every one of Valley’s games. Haley’s parents and her younger brother have always been supportive, too, by attending her soccer games and track meets. Haley joined the Warriors’ track program as a freshman and mostly runs the 100 and 300 hurdles. Haley also participates in TOPSoccer and Buddy Track.
“Buddy Track and TOPSoccer are both fun,” says Haley, who is also on the Steering Committee and hopes to be involved in the Senior Reception Committee. “Since I play both of those, it’s nice to help others do the same.”
With her senior year underway, Haley is also getting ready to apply to colleges, including Penn State, where her dad went and her family visits every year; as well as Villanova and Maryland. In between her fall and spring sports, Haley stays busy during the winter by working as an elf at the Essex Steam Train’s Polar Express train rides.
Right now, however, the fall season is in full swing and Haley is aiming to make the most of her last year in a Warriors’ uniform. Coach Warren says he’s been impressed with Haley’s work ethic and her efforts as a captain.
“Haley is continuing to improve herself and is an asset to the team on the field,” says Warren. “As a first-year high school coach, I am trying to imprint new ideas and a style of play for the team to play. Haley has been able to pick up on things quickly and is able to get my message across to the team on the field.”