This post was originally published on this site.
If you’re a Habersham Central fan or high school soccer in general, you know that we just a few months ago named Paisley Cathey our BLITZ Player of the Year following another stellar season for the Lady Raiders. But she’s since gone from prep soccer to playing at the NCAA DI level at Georgia Southern – and is already up to her usual tricks.
Framed Print (11×14) – Paisley Cathey
Framed Print (11×14) – Paisley Cathey
$32.99
“I think I am definitely living the reality of what was always my dreams and goals,” says Paisley. “It came up super quick after high school, making it seem much more surreal, but I am super thankful I was given this opportunity to succeed at the highest level. The Lord has used soccer in my life in ways I could’ve never imagined. Arkansas flew us out to play them on their private jet, and getting to play at multiple SEC schools as a freshman was just unreal. This team is the closest team I have ever been on. I love them all so much and we do everything together on and off the field so they made the transition very easy.”
Cathey isn’t just on the roster – she’s playing. AND starting. Check the numbers. She’s played in all 16 matches (five starts) this season for the Eagles, scoring three goals and adds an assist. She has a game-winner, and has played 624 minutes as of October 24. For Paisley, she wasted no time at all in becoming a key contributor, as she’s 12th on the team in total minutes played.
“Preseason was hard the first week or so,” admits Paisley. “We did two sessions a day for three and a half weeks, and I was playing with a lot of nerves at first but once I got to know the team and the style of play, I quickly became comfortable and confident in my abilities to do what I do best.”
She played in the first four matches off the bench before earning her first start at UNC-Wilmington.
“My first start was at UNCW, actually at a position I have never played in my life so I was very nervous but I performed well. I started the following five games after that, and my position changed a lot but it was a pretty amazing feeling, especially when I was starting in the games at home. I started against Tennessee at their home field and playing in front of that type of crowd was an awesome experience.”
That first start was likely earned largely due to scoring three goals in her first three games overall. She notched her first collegiate goal against Samford at home, scored three days later against Jacksonville, then made it 3-for-3 with the game-winner in a 1-0 final at Western Carolina.
“Honestly I think the scoring the first game was the most surreal feeling ever,” recalls Paisley. “It was to take the lead against Samford, who we’ve never beat in the history of the program so I was extremely humbled to even get the opportunity to get that many minutes, even more so to get a goal. The next two games I felt like I was just playing like myself with no nerves or expectations and the goals just came with that.”
Her career is still in the infancy stages, so there’s a long way to go for Paisley Cathey. She’s got some lofty goals for the Lady Eagles, and bigger life goals ahead.
“I am majoring in exercise science in hopes to be a pediatric occupational therapist, and my soccer goals are to continue to impact the program more every year and just get better at everything I do every day.”
Cathey is the back-to-back BLITZ Soccer Player of the Year, a 5-time Player of the Week, and a BLITZ Hall of Famer. She finished her career at Habersham Central with 112 goals and 56 assists. The Lady Raiders GOAT was a 4-time All-Region and 3-time All-State selection, three times earning Region Midfielder or Player of the Year honors. She holds the Habersham scoring record (boys or girls) and is the girls all-time goals and assists leader as well (along with owning the single-season marks).
