Owensboro Catholic's Abby Payne recently signed to continue her soccer career in college as a Panther for KWC. The goalie completed his final season with the Lady Aces this fall, recording 89 saves and eight shutouts over the season, helping the team advance to the district championship game. In his four years at OCHS, his overall record is 58-30.
For Payne, who had wanted to play college soccer at a high level since she was a child, signing with KWC was a dream come true, she said.
“It means the world to me,” she said. “I have dreamed of playing college soccer since I was young, and I am about to make that dream come true. All the time and effort I put into my studies and soccer will help me play college soccer at a high level. It helped me realize my goal.”
Payne was drawn to KWC because of the campus and team's close-knit environment. Throughout her soccer career, she has already been able to meet and build relationships with coaches.
“I chose to play at KWC because of the close-knit environment the campus and team have,” she said. “The choice was easy because I already had a relationship with Coach Stauffer and had played with the other players.”
In the months leading up to his college debut, Payne said he will continue playing competitive soccer and doing independent training to prepare for the new season. Her academic plans also revolve around her love of soccer, and she plans to focus on fitness and sports in order to realize her dream of becoming a high-level soccer coach in the future. I plan to major in management.
Payne said he's happy to be able to attend a university in his hometown so his family can easily attend games and cheer on him.
“You can have your family come cheering you on at home games and know how close they are if you have a problem or need support at university,” she said. . “Then you won't have to suffer from homesickness and you'll get to see your cat more!”
Now that her high school soccer playing days are over and a new challenge at the collegiate level approaches, Payne reflected on what she will miss about her time with the Lady Aces.
“One of the things I'll miss the most is hearing my dad announce every home game we've ever played,” she said. “He's only missed once or twice in my four years. It'll be weird not hearing his voice anymore. I'll also miss playing with the girls I spent 12 years at school with. It's going to be weird for a little while to play with them every year and then not play at all.”