Ella Hayes '24 Recruiting Profile

My name is Ella Hayes and I am a Junior at Oconee County High School in Watkinsville, GA.  I am currently the goal keeper for the U19 GPL team for Oconee Futbol Club. This past high school season, I was the starting goal keeper as a sophomore where I was able to be a part of being back to back Region 8 AAA Champions, and making back to back Final 4 appearances. 

I am truly excited to embark on this journey of choosing a college to continue my education and to compete to play soccer, the sport that I love, at a four year college.  I have been playing soccer at a competitive level since age 11 when I was invited to join the Oconee Futbol Club U16 team.  It was a great experience that has put me on this path.  

I love being a part of a team.  I enjoy the friendships and want to surround myself with teammates who have the same drive.  I am a hard worker and dedicated to getting better in all aspects of my game.  I enjoy the position of keeper and feel that I am a strong leader.  I am just as dedicated in the classroom as I am on the field.  I enjoy school and give maximum effort in all of my classes.  I know that my focus in the classroom is just as important as my dedication and focus on the field 

I look forward to every practice.  I try to make personal improvements at each session.  I am fortunate enough to have access to weekly keeper training whether I am in season or not.  I have also had the unique opportunity to be able to train in a college weight room with my Dad, who is a strength and conditioning coach at the University of Georgia.  I enjoy being in the weight room and know that it is an important part of my athletic development.  

I am very coachable and am willing to learn new skills and work to get better with each practice, training sessions and games.  I understand that playing soccer in college is an amazing opportunity but I also know that getting a solid education needs to have equal importance.  My ultimate goal is to be able to experience being a Student-Athlete in College.