Payton Hammond '26 Recruiting Profile

My love for soccer began in the backyard kicking around my size 1 pink soccer ball that my grandpa gave me for my 1st birthday.  To this day the soccer field is where I can go where everything else going on in life goes away and the minute I step out on the field I gain a sense of control, freedom and joy I can’t get anywhere else. 

Before I even get to the field, I am always thinking about how I can show up as my best self for my team and coaches through my training, workouts, nutrition, sleep, and mindset so that I can reach or exceed the goals I set for myself and my team goals.  My journey as a soccer player has taught me that consistency and hard work pay off.    

I grew the most as an athlete the year I was in 8th grade, and I was moved from the ECNL National team to the ECNL Regional team. I had to swallow my pride, keep my head up and learn how to re-love the sport I knew I was meant to play.  I knew I never wanted to experience that feeling again and decided to take control of what I could and push myself harder.  Through this experience I learned the value of commitment, sacrifice and perseverance. 

I’m looking for a program where I can be a part of something special and will be a good fit to support my goals of playing at the college level and continuing my academic success. I believe I not only have the talent to compete at the college level, but I have the versatility, self-discipline, work-ethic and passion to have an immediate impact on your program.

A quote that inspires me daily, “Some want it to happen, others wish it would happen, but some make it happen” -Michael Jordan