Leah Galton Goes Pro: All-American Hofstra Product to Share the Pitch with Soccer Icons

By Neil A. Carousso

Hempstead, NY — England native Leah Galton goes professional, making her pro debut with National Women’s Soccer League’s (NWSL) Sky Blue FC next month, after she graduates from Hofstra University where she racked up a laundry list of accolades including All-American and Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference First-Team All-Star honors. Galton is also the only 3-time Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Player of the Year, 3-time CAA Pre-Season Player of the Year; in addition, the Hofstra forward was a 2015 Mac Hermann Trophy Semi-Finalist. Galton holds the Hofstra Pride program-record for points with 122 and she is tied for most assists. Number 21 has the 2nd most goals in program history, 1 goal shy of her former teammate number 19 Sam Scolarici.

“I just want to go as far as I can with Sky Blue,” said Galton, adding, “They’re my first team that ever had faith in me to go professionally.”

Sky Blue FC plays their home games at Yurcak Field on the campus of Rutgers University in Piscataway, NJ, where, coincidentally, Galton’s stellar collegiate career ended on November 20, 2015 in a 2nd round NCAA Tournament match-up against the #2 seed Rutgers Scarlet Knights. The English superstar played on a torn quad, which she suffered the week before, in the 1st round against Georgetown, at the tail end of the first of two overtimes. Galton calls the 2nd round tourney game the “big moment” in her collegiate career.

“I was actually very surprised, pleasantly surprised, that she was still available,” remarked Christy Holly, Sky Blue FC Head Coach.

Galton was drafted 13th overall in the 2nd round of the 2016 College NWSL Draft. The Hofstra forward became just the second English footballer to be drafted by the American League. Rachel Daly from St. John’s University in Queens, NY was the first English footballer to be drafted, just 7 picks ahead of Galton.

“She’s one of those players has the most amount of assets that will make that transition [from Division I collegiate soccer to professional soccer] a little bit easier,” said Holly, who enters his first season as Sky Blue FC Head Coach after serving as the team’s assistant for 3 seasons.

Galton started all 4 years in the Hofstra blue and gold after being heavily recruited out of high school for a paramount role on the Pride.

Galton’s goal for 2016: “To get on the field for some game-time so, hopefully, challenge the players that are already starting and get myself on that field to play some games and score some goals,” said Galton, confidently.

Even with all the collegiate honors, Galton remains humble and understands that she has room for improvement in order to reach her ultimate career goals, which includes hours of daily on-field practice, strength and conditioning.

“…Improve myself in every way: shooting, dribbling, heading, everything I can and give [Sky Blue FC] everything I’ve got.”