Haylie Villalpando reflects on her time at Pueblo Centennial, looks to lead the team
Pueblo Centennial girls soccer has found success over the last few years due to the consistent gameplay of their three-headed attack of Kylee Farrer, Rylee Sterling and Haylie Villalpando.
For Villalpando, her senior year is one to look forward to, as she has taken time to reflect on what it's been like to play alongside her teammates while progressing toward her own goals in life.
“My dad was a soccer player, and my sisters were soccer players, so they kind of inspired me to play the sport,” Villalpando said. “I was kind of pushed into it growing up and I've loved it ever since.”
She became obsessed with the sport of soccer and plays pretty much year-round as she transitions from club soccer straight into the high school sports season.
Villalpando is strictly a soccer player. Her goal of playing at the collegiate level has driven her for a long time.
She began playing with Farrer and Sterling at a young age. Now the three of them are leading the Centennial Bulldogs program together.
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“We played on the same club team, but then we got moved to different teams and were split up,” Villalpando said. “But, I think being together and knowing each other for so long brings the chemistry on the field and makes us play well together.”
She said one of the things she enjoyed about playing with her friends at such a young age was the car rides and times spent on the road with her friends. But now that opportunity is there at the high school level.
Another thing that Villalpando said she has enjoyed and will always remember is the opportunity to play with her sister.
“My middle sister played here at Centennial, and I got to play with her,” Villalpando said. “My freshman year, and it was her senior year. My favorite memory from that was my first ever freshman soccer game, she assisted me on my first goal, so that's probably my favorite memory.”
She said her family is a big reason and motivation for playing soccer.
“My dad is probably my biggest motivator, not just in soccer but in my life,” Villalpando said. “He is always trying to tell me what to do, even though sometimes I don't listen to him. But, he's definitely my biggest motivator.”
With Villalpando entering her senior year, her goal is simple — win as many games as possible.
“Hopefully, I will lead my team to the playoffs,” Villalpando said. “I think we can make it. I'm hoping to defeat West and County, those were close games last year. I think we have what it takes.”
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Outside of soccer, which is few and far between, Villalpando enjoys snowboarding in the winter and swimming in the summer. She is excited about her future, committing to college and playing at the next level.
“I'm committed to Leslie University in Boston, MA. I love it out there. I went and visited, and it was amazing,” Villalpando said. “I love the coach and I'm excited to play with them this coming fall.”
Christopher Abdelmalek is a sports reporter for the Pueblo Chieftain and can be reached at cabdelmalek@gannett.com or follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @chowebacca. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com
This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo Centennial's Haylie Villalpando hopes to end career with wins
