PEORIA โ When Washington junior forward Willow Toft was a toddler, she held a ball while playing “fetch” with her beloved grandfather, the late George Bryan, who was affectionately known as Walnut. Just like me, I'm obsessed with soccer.
“We weren't a sports family,” says Toft's mother, Shannon. “But Willow was different. She always had a ball in her hand, she never had a doll. She loved sports.”
โHer grandpa would play with her in the garden and he would throw her a ball and she would fetch it and bring it back over and over again. She was always eager to play. Then a friend of mine arranged for her to try out.''It turned out she was eligible to compete. โ
And that was just the beginning of a soccer journey for the Panthers junior wing/forward, who will travel to the sporting capital of England from March 25th to April 2nd to watch his favorite game.
Where EXACT 11 is located
Toft attended a regional camp sponsored by EXACT Sports, the national soccer organization. EXACT Sports organizes amateur soccer ID camps, showcases, and camp workouts, brings in college coaches for guidance, and brings in college scouts to observe high school players trying to forge a path. This is an organization that invites people. To play at the collegiate level.
These camps are spread throughout the Midwest, from Florida to California. Each camp will nominate players for EXACT Sports' National Top 100 Prospect Ranking. Toft was ranked 30th among EXACT's top 100 female athletes in the country.
Peoria Soccer:Here are 17 high school girls soccer players you should know around Peoria in 2024
โWe had a camp in the summer (2023) and all the elite players were there, and we had college coaches there,โ Toft said. โThe coaches trained me and made me better. They gave me some different sides.
“It definitely boosted my confidence. I realized I'm better than I thought.”
In fact, traveling to London, touring historic soccer fields, practicing, earning representation in several friendly scrimmages, and immersing yourself in the soccer community was enough to make exactly 11 teams. did.
“We started in London and traveled a couple of days to Manchester, Liverpool and then back to London,” Toft said. โChelsea Football Clubโs stadium in London (Stamford Bridge), Liverpool Football Clubโs Anfield Stadium โ thereโs a lot of history there.
“We went to watch the women's game at Chelsea and it was a great experience. They gave it their all and there were chants throughout the game. It's much bigger than here, it's a very big sport. , it was a different experience.โ
“Overall, it made me wonder, 'What would it be like to live over there?' The support for the women's team has been great. “A lot of great players got their start on this field. I thought, “I can do it too.'' โ
Growth of sports mania
Willow Toft is the youngest of Shannon and Jerry Toft's five children.
Shannon is a digital marketer and Jerry is a truck driver for Prairie Farms. Willow Toft's siblings include Nick (35), Hunter (24), Casey (36), and Jayden (25).
“I was the athletic kid in my family,” Willow Toft said with a laugh. “I begged her mother to let me play soccer, but I didn't start until I was eight years old.”
That was with the Sunnyland Sonics. She progressed to more competitive leagues and levels. She has played club soccer for Central Illinois United Girls Academy, Central Illinois ECNL Eclipse, Peoria FC United, Central Illinois United, Illinois Olympic Development Program, Peoria Soccer Club, John Gasper Soccer Academy and Washington Legends.
Women's soccer:Introducing the 2023 Peoria Journal Star All-Area Team and Player of the Year
The club season runs from August to January, with teams practicing three times a week and playing two games on the weekends. During the high school season, they practice six days a week and play two to three games a week.
She was more of an outside back in club season and an outside forward in high school, but played several positions in Washington.
“I'm just focused on getting better. Soccer is a year-round passion for me,” Toft said. โAnd a lifelong passion.โ
“Move towards your dreams”
Toft grew up glued to the U.S. women's Olympic soccer team and watching them up close.
“Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe were huge inspirations for me,” Toft said. โMy whole perspective on this sport is how different it is from country to country. This sport is so diverse and has so many possibilities.
“I want to experience more of the things I experienced in England. And most of all, I want to keep moving toward my dreams.”
Dave Eminian is a sports columnist for the Journal Star, covering Bradley men's basketball, the Rivermen and Chiefs. He writes his sports column “Cleve In The Eve” for pjstar.com. Contact him at 686-3206 or deminian@pjstar.com. Follow him at X.com @icetimecleve.