Eckman was focused for Freeport
BUFFALO TWP — Kayla Eckman made a verbal commitment to play soccer at Ohio State University before the start of her final season at Freeport.
Even when she signed shortly thereafter, Eckman didn't coast through her senior campaign.
"Kayla never let Ohio State come in the way of her high school career," said Freeport coach Summer Anderson. "She still went out and performed like she was not on a scholarship.
"With her attitude, you wouldn't expect that she had received a full ride. She helped her team and kept them focused,"Anderson added.
Eckman finished her senior campaign with 31 goals and 26 assists, and, for the second consecutive season, was named to the Section 2-AA, WPIAL and PIAA all-star teams.
For her efforts, Eckman was named the 2008 Butler Eagle Girls High School Soccer Player of the Year.
"I have a competitive spirit, regardless if it's a pick-up game or a World Cup game. I love to win and hate to lose," said Eckman, who will graduate from Freeport in January before reporting to Columbus to train with the team in March.
"I thought, 'Hey, this is my senior season. I want to make a difference, to be known around here and do the best I can," Eckman added.
Eckman will leave Freeport as its all-time scoring leader with 128 goals, including a program-high 41 goals as a sophomore, and had 67 career assists.
She was an Butler Eagle Elite 11 selection the previous two seasons and an honorable mention candidate as a freshman.
The Yellowjackets won their first section title in 2006 when Eckman and teammate Courtney Boroski were sophomores. The past two seasons, Freeport has reached the WPIAL quarterfinals, having picked up first-round victories both years.
Boroski added a team-high 37 goals and chipped in 22 assists in 2008, which continued to make the Yellowjackets a formidable opponent and laid the groundwork for an up-and-coming program.
"We've played together since we've started our soccer careers and we play off each other and are aware where each other is on the field," said Eckman. "With the rest of the team, we've come together and made it happen this year."
"She's an irreplaceable player," Anderson said. "She does a lot of positives on the field and her hard work pays off. She's a role model for the rest of the team. Everyone knows it's reachable."
Eckman, who also played for Northern Crew, is also a part of the Olympic Developmental Program. Last fall, she took part in the under-17 national team. This year, she will train in December for the under-18 team, then head to the inter-regional event in California in January.
"Some players don't continue it (as seniors)," said Eckman. "I have higher aspirations than just college. I want to represent the national team."
Both Eckman and Anderson acknowledge there's a desire for Eckman to continue to get better and to succeed.
"It's gotten progressively harder, but I love the challenge to get around players," said Eckman. "That's my love, my challenge, to break down defenses."
