As part of our Featured Player content series, SoccerWire is publishing Q&A articles with recently-committed players who are Featured in the SoccerWire Player Directory. The series will allow players to share their stories on the college recruiting process, travel and high school soccer, and their passion for the beautiful game.
In this edition we will showcase Hannah Wieler, who has committed to play NCAA Division I soccer in 2025 at the University of Wyoming. Wieler plays travel soccer in the Elite Club National League for LAFC SoCal Youth and attends Oaks Christian High School in California.
If you are a SoccerWire Featured Player and would like to tell your college commitment story, please email Sean at [email protected]
SoccerWire Featured Player since February 2022.
SoccerWire: What made you decide to verbally commit to Wyoming?
Hannah Wieler: I chose to go to Wyoming because it was what my heart was telling me and it checked all of my boxes. I was very picky about where I wanted to go and Wyoming was the perfect fit because they have all four seasons, they have mountains, they have my major, they have a great community because they are the only D1 college in Wyoming, they have a great staff, and I want to play for a team that cares a lot about the culture. I went to two camps at the University of Wyoming and felt a connection when I stepped foot on campus. I absolutely love the decision I made and I am so excited to play as a Cowgirl!
SoccerWire: What was the recruiting process like and what did you learn about yourself while going through it?
HW: The two-way communication of my process was definitely short, but the emailing and going to ID camps started in December of my freshmen year. I ended up attending quite a few ID Camps, but the work definitely paid off. I was able to figure out if I liked the schools or not while actually being there and it also gave me the opportunity to showcase my talent on the field in front of all the staff and work with the schools Keeper Coach. After lots of hours of playing and plane rides, I was able to commit to my top school. Through my process, I learned to be very open with your choices, utilize your connections, and that hard work pays off. Because I started going to camps early and emailed a ton of coaches, and had good film, I got a lot of calls and emails on June 15 and I got them from most schools I was looking at in my top 10.
SW: What has been your favorite moment so far at this year’s World Cup?
HW: Watching Lindsey Horan getting fired up after a foul and then scoring the tying goal for the United States against the Netherlands.
SW: What are your favorite subjects in school and what do you think you would like to study in college?
HW: My favorite subjects are science and art, and I want to go into Pre-Med to become a dermatologist or a physician’s assistant. I love science and I want to be able to use my passion and hard work to help other people. I also love to draw and use my creativity as an outlet to relieve stress.
SW: Outside of soccer, what clubs, organizations, and/or jobs are you involved in?
HW: Soccer is my passion, but outside of my personal playing, I try to keep a good balance between schoolwork, soccer, and my personal life
SW: What has your experience been like playing for LAFC So Cal ECNL?
HW: It has been really good. I joined in December of 2019 when we were still DA and the move was the best thing that could have happened to my play. It was the first time I had to split time, but having two keepers has prepared me for how competitive college will be. The coaches on staff have been so good to me and they have really helped with my recruitment because they have so many connections. They provide the right balance between challenging us to play at the highest level and encouraging good, healthy relationships between the teams and other age groups.
SW: Coming from California, are you ready for the Wyoming winters?
HW: It’s going to be a challenge to deal with the snow, the wind, and the extreme cold temperatures, but I am ready to take that on. Wyoming has great gear for the weather.
SW: How has social media and being a SoccerWire Featured Player helped you with the college recruiting process?
HW: For the social media side, using Soccer Wire, Instagram and Twitter was a great outlet for making connections and having a good online presence because I was able to upload recent videos and highlights to each platform very quickly and efficiently. Having SoccerWire highlight me as a featured player really boosted my visibility on social media and it helped promote me at a very critical time in my recruitment process.
SW: If you could give one piece of advice to a younger player that wants to play soccer at a high level what would it be?
HW: There’s a lot to consider but the best advice I could give to a young player is to be coachable and be curious. When you’re coachable, it means you’re open minded, you’re willing to learn, and you will see growth. Being curious allows you to gain more insight about the game and it increases your soccer IQ, which is a big part of the next level.
SW: Is there anyone that you would like to give a shoutout to who has helped you both on and off of the field?
HW: I would love to thank all of my goalkeeper and club coaches (I’ve had a few) and I have learned a lot from them, my training partners, Charlotte, Jamie, Tanner, and Azairia, my coach, Keith West, and my family, especially my Dad.
