Many youth girls’ soccer players growing up in Rhode Island hope to one day throw on a Providence College uniform, but that dream only becomes a reality for a select few.
La Salle senior …
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Many youth girls’ soccer players growing up in Rhode Island hope to one day throw on a Providence College uniform, but that dream only becomes a reality for a select few.
La Salle senior midfielder and Warwick native Haley Puglia will be one of those few.
Puglia signed a National Letter of Intent on Wednesday morning in front of family, friends and classmates to continue her soccer career at Providence in the fall.
She’ll join a Providence roster that consisted of just two Rhode Islanders amid its 27-player roster in 2015.
As an in-state player who attended Friars’ games growing up, Puglia recognizes the significance of her achievement.
“It’s an honor,” Puglia said of signing with Providence. “I’ve gone to PC games for as long as I can remember, so the fact that I get to wear the jersey now is really exciting.”
However, Puglia wrestled with the decision at first. After all, Providence College is less than a mile down the road from where she goes to high school. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to stay so close in Rhode Island.
Ultimately, though, Puglia decided that the opportunity was too good to pass up.
“I was a little skeptical about staying so close in Rhode Island,” Puglia said. “La Salle is right down the street. But all of my family are alumni, I just fell in love with the school and the coaching staff is great. I know it’s going to be a great experience for me, so I chose PC.”
And it’s no mistake that Puglia drew attention from the Friars’ coaching staff. She put together a tremendous high school career – one that was capped with a state championship this season and a First Team All-State selection.
For Puglia, there’s no better way to depart from La Salle.
“It feels great,” Puglia said of her accomplishments as a Ram. “We worked so hard during the season, so it was nice to see all of that hard work pay off.”
The midfielder, who compiled three goals and four assists in her senior season, will look to bring congruent production offensively and defensively to the pitch come next fall.
And now that her decision has been made, Puglia no longer has the uncertainty that lingers over the heads of star athletes come signing season.
The pressure is now off.
“It feels really nice,” Puglia said of making the decision official. “It’s a weight off my shoulders now that I know where I’m going. It’s going to be a great experience.”
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