Even the most joyous of days can have a touch of sadness.
Such was the case last week for Woodrow Wilson soccer standouts Carson Eckley and Hayden Johnson.
Sitting alongside each other, both players fulfilled a lifelong dream by signing their National Letters of Intent to play college soccer.
“I have been waiting on this my whole life. I have played soccer for about 14 or 15 years now,” Eckley said. “The whole time I had the idea that I wanted to play college soccer and now it’s here.”
Johnson echoed his teammates sentiments.
“To actually put the pen on the paper feels great. I have always dreamed of this as a kid and to finally do it is definitely a dream come true,” Johnson said.
The tough part for the two lifelong teammates was they each signed with a different school.
“Obviously I always want Hayden on my team. The chemistry has been unreal,” Eckley said. “Now it’s crazy because we will be playing against each other, but we will always be friends.”
Eckley will be taking his talents to West Virginia Wesleyan, while Johnson will head to the Eastern Panhandle to play for Shepherd University.
“It definitely strikes me in the heart and it hurts seeing him somewhere else. We will play them, so seeing him in the orange and black and me in the navy and gold will be weird,” Johnson said. “I am not used to him not being right on my left and him not have to say anything. We just had that chemistry. It will definitely be different.”
The talented duo has been an integral part of a dynamic and successful senior class for Flying Eagles head coach Steve Laraba.
“They are both four-year lettermen and have been great assets all four years for us at Woodrow Wilson. I haven’t had any qualms about saying this has been a really special senior class for me,” Laraba said. “It has been fun to watch them grow as soccer players. I am proud of them for how they developed as players, but even more proud of the young men they have become.”
Laraba also noted that both players will have some challenges as they move to the next level.
“Both programs are led by really good young coaches that have some big aspirations for their teams,” Laraba said. “However, I think they both will do very well.”
Choosing their respective schools was not a very difficult decision for both players.
“At the start of my senior year, their coach contacted me and watched me. He is a new coach and rebuilding the program,” Johnson said. “I was looking to be a part of a new team and see where I fit the best. Shepherd was the school. Going in, and with the playing time that I am going to get, hopefully I am that player that helps rebuild that program.”
According to his high school coach, Johnson seems to be stepping into the ideal situation for him and his coach.
“Hayden brings a really strong work ethic and a strong technical ability. Tactically he can play anywhere in the midfield,” Laraba said. “He is going to give his absolute best not only for himself, but also to push his team and make them better.”
The reigning Lootpress Soccer Player of the Year also received early attention from the Wesleyan staff.
“Their coach was very insistent on me coming, so it felt very welcoming at Wesleyan,” Eckley said. “That is what is what I really liked. They also have a really good soccer program and the University is nice.”
Eckley was a nemesis for opposing defenders in high school with a lightning quick ability to strike at the net.
“Carson brings a dynamic ability that not very many players have. He is very good and has an excellent change of pace that we saw this past fall,” Laraba said. “That is going to allow him to play as a forward, or a wing. In today’s game I wouldn’t be surprised if he found himself as an attacking outside back. He has a lot of options where he can fit in.”
After setting the table for Eckley so many times, Johnson’s biggest obstacle when the two meet for the first time on the college pitch may be remembering not to pass it to his old teammate.
“Hopefully I can find that one player that can be like him, but we will see what happens,” Johnson said, laughing.
