BUTLER TWP — It all came down to a comfort zone for Hannah Hays.

The Butler senior midfielder-forward has signed a letter of intent to continue her academic and soccer career at Gannon University.

“She was all about Gannon from the start of the recruiting process,” Butler girls soccer coach Steve Perri said. “She looked at other schools, but there never really was a No. 2.

“Hannah has been talking about Gannon for quite a while now.”

Hays scored 10 goals for the Golden Tornado last fall in helping Butler reach the WPIAL playoffs for the first time in 13 years. She was a four-year starter in the program.

During those four years, Hays did not experience a losing season with the Tornado.

“I remember her scoring three game-winning goals as a freshman,” Perri said. “Hannah has always been a goal scorer, always right around eight to 10 per season.

“She could have had more, but I preached spreading the ball around since I’ve been here. I’d rather have four 10-goal scorers than one 20-goal scorer and a couple of girls with five.”

Hays admitted to passing up some open shots at the net to try setting up a teammate.

“I may have gone too much that way,” she said of playing selfishly. “I could have been more productive myself.”

She may have the opportunity to blossom even more offensively at Gannon.

“The style of game they play there, she will fit right in,” Perri said. “They were looking for competitive, attacking players and Hannah can fit that bill.”

Hays played club soccer at Northern Steel. She will also be a fourth-year starter on the Butler softball team this spring as its center fielder.

But soccer has always been her No. 1 sport.

“I’ve invested so much time into it. I’ve committed to soccer and it serves as my escape from reality,” Hays said. “I love the game. It gives me a chance to show my talents.

“I feel like soccer allows me to be myself. It pushes me to be what I want to be.”

Hays plans to major in nursing at Gannon. She also looked at Penn State-Behrend, Edinboro and Slippery Rock.

“Once I went up and watched the team play, I knew I could fit in there,” she said of Gannon. “I love the campus and the lifestyle I’ll be living there.”

Gannon has not had a losing season since 2010. The Golden Knights were 10-6-3 last fall, 9-5-2 in the PSAC. Two years ago, they were 15-1 in conference play.

“My goal is to earn a starting spot eventually and do my part to keep the team winning,” Hays said. “I’m excited about joining a program that successful.”

She will be joining some familiar faces as well.

Karns City’s Megan McCartney signed with Gannon last week. Three other Butler County players — Kelsey O’Connor and Emily Cekella from Seneca Valley, Olivia Sharbaugh from Knoch — will be returning to next year’s roster as well.

“I’ve talked to some of the people I know there and they tell me how comfortable it is playing there, how everyone gets along and works together,” Hays said. “I’m looking forward to it.”

Hays becomes the second Butler girls soccer player to commit to college ball next year. Rachel Woessner, a defender, is headed to Westminster College.