EATON — At first glance Hallie Wilt’s statistics don’t jump off the page, but her hard work and dedication to the team are a few of the reasons the Eaton High School senior recently signed with Division III Defiance College to continue her soccer career.
“Defiance is getting a devoted player and someone, who I think, plays with a chip on her shoulder,” Eaton High School coach Michael Bacher said.
In her career at Eaton, Wilt, who has battled a leg injury, scored four goals and had five assists.
Those numbers could have been higher, according to Bacher.
“Those numbers are only low because we couldn’t get someone on the other end of her crosses. She could have easily had 25 or 30 assists in her career,” he said. ” I’m truly going to miss her and I’m very proud of her.”
Wilt is going to a program that is loaded with underclassmen. The Yellow Jackets had 16 freshmen and will graduate only one senior.
Defiance finished 2-13 last year and was 2-7 in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference.
Wilt said she initiated the recruiting process with the Yellow Jackets.
“It started out with me contacting them. I sent them my video and they liked what they saw,” she said. “It was a lot of hard work. You can’t slack. If you want something you have to go work really hard to get it.”
Wilt said she liked the idea of going to a smaller school.
“I just really liked it. It’s really small school,” she said. “But, it’s a perfect fit for me.”
Wilt said she enjoyed her time playing for Eaton.
“I had a really good experience here playing for Bacher. I started all four years varsity,” she said. “It was really fun and I enjoyed it. I already miss it.”
Wilt said she is currently undecided on a major.
