Dolphin women’s star forward Hayley Warren came to Shoreline for the soccer. And in her two years at the college, she’s certainly made her mark in the sport — Warren twice led the NWAC in goals, was selected as the Northern region MVP both her freshman and sophomore seasons and was voted most inspirational player by her teammates.
Warren had success on the field, but what has impressed Warren most at Shoreline is the sense of community.
“This is one of the most supportive athletic centers around,” she said. “I’ve never been anywhere where you see so many athletes from different sports supporting each other so regularly. The athletes and the friendships I made here will carry on past the community college level.”
When she graduates in June, that support system is one of the things Warren will miss most about Shoreline. It’s also one of the things that informed her decision to continue her education at Montana State University Billings. “One of the things that attracted me to MSUB is that it’s a friendly and inviting environment of team and community,” she says. “It’ll be an easy transition from (Shoreline).”
Warren recently signed a national letter of intent with MSUB and is excited to embrace her new team, the Lady Yellowjackets. “When I met with the girls on the team I felt like I’d already known them for awhile,” she said. “It just flowed.”
She’s also looking forward to getting a “fresh start and getting training for my career, both on and off the field.” Warren will attend MSUB – on nearly a full-ride scholarship – as a pre-physical therapy major.
Though she’s eager for that fresh start and to take her game to the next level, Warren knows that her experience at Shoreline played an invaluable role in taking her to the next level. For example, when she started at the college two years ago, she played defense, but the coach at the time, Aaron Howe, saw her potential elsewhere.
“I was put into a new position when I came to college as forward,” Warren said. “I ended up being extremely successful, which helped me get noticed. If I didn’t change positions, the offers may not have come.”
Warren says it wasn’t just the coach who helped her advance.
“The teachers are really understanding of student-athletes,” Warren said. “The student part of student-athlete comes first and they know that, but they support you in both your athletic and classroom activities.”
The low teacher-student ratio is part of what attracted Warren to MSUB. “It’s nice to be close to teachers. I got close to some of them here at Shoreline, and MSUB is small enough that I hope to have the same opportunity there that I did here.”
For Warren, Shoreline was the perfect choice right out of high school. Coming from Tahoma High School in Covington, the college felt like “a challenge I was ready for but wasn’t too much where I’d break under pressure. And it prepared me for the next level.”
For others looking to get to the next level, Warren has some advice. “Come in and prove yourself. Fight for your position. The upperclassmen have an advantage. Show that you want to be here. If you don’t have the passion for the sport, then no coach or teammate will want to be about you.”
Those are words that can be applied to soccer and life.
Warren adds: “Be sure to check out the free tutoring.. And be grateful for every opportunity you’re given to play. Take nothing for granted, it can very easily be taken away.”
At MSUB, Warren will continue to make the most of every opportunity.