Camryn Woods, Freeport soccer star, picks Ohio U. as college destination
Already impressed by her first visit to Ohio University, Freeport junior soccer star forward Camryn Woods knew her college decision was a done deal after a second trip to the Mid-American Conference school.
“My mom came with me when I visited back in September,” Woods said. “My dad wasn’t able to come with us, but he joined me last Friday (Nov. 14).
“Players from the team met us and they showed my dad around the whole campus. They didn’t have to do that, but they did. I called the head coach (Aaron Rodgers) on Sunday and told him I had made my decision. I’m going to Ohio.”
The Bobcats won out over 20-plus other schools hoping to attract Woods, including DePaul, Elon, Providence and Miami (Ohio).
Woods will receive a full athletic scholarship. She is leaning toward studying sports business.
“I’ve always wanted to play Division I college soccer,” she said. “But I wanted to be patient with making my decision, didn’t want to jump the gun. I want to play for a program that cares about me as a person just as much as a player, and understands my versatility. I wanted a school where my family could come see my games.”
Ohio University, located in Athens, just 3½ hours away, checked all the boxes.
Woods had been on an elite track in soccer for a number of years. Two summers ago, she traveled to Costa Rica as part of the U.S. Olympic Development Program, an opportunity she said “was one of the best experiences of my life.”
She is also a member of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds Youth Academy, for which she has earned all-conference honors.
Woods’ 26 goals and 16 assists this season helped lift Freeport’s girls to the first WPIAL title in program history.
“With Camryn, it was right from the start. She scored 33 goals as a freshman,” Freeport coach Steve Kukic said. “She was our offensive MVP this year, was marked by multiple players in just about every game.”
Whatever she goes on to achieve in the sport, the 2025 season will always hold a special place for Woods, who has 75 goals in her varsity career.
“I will remember how we came together, worked together and how badly we wanted to win each game,” she said. “I never doubted us, and we made history.”
