Aubrey Harrell: From micro soccer league to the fields at Dothan High
DOTHAN, Ala. — “I started somewhere around five years old”, said Dothan High School soccer player Aubrey Harrell when asked about her soccer career. It started with the micro soccer league at Westgate Park soccer fields and has continued on the same fields as a member of the Dothan High School girls soccer team.
Aubrey, the daughter of Guy and Megan Harrell, was born and raised in Dothan. She attended Dothan City Schools including Montana Magnet, Carver Magnet, Northview High School, and now Dothan High. She is the older sister to sister, Brinley, and brother, Logan. She said that it is hard being the oldest child sometime, but “I like being their example.” From age 9 to 16 she played on a Dothan travel soccer team, the Shockers while playing for Dothan High. For a change of pace she joined the inaugural Dothan High Flag Football Team last fall. Aubrey said, “It was nice to be on the very first team.”
Aubrey said the thing that she likes most about soccer is “the ability to bring people I don’t see every day to build a united front to complete or make a goal.” Her best soccer memory happened last season when Dothan played Enterprise. The game went into overtime and then transitioned to penalty kicks after neither team scored in overtime. Aubrey explained that with penalty kicks each team takes five players and each player takes a single shot on the goal while it is defended only by the opposing teams goalkeeper. The team that has the most goals after each player has had a kick, wins the game. Aubrey said, “I was amazed that I was chosen as one of the five because the other four were people that I looked up to and admired.” By the way, Dothan High won which certainly sweetened the memory.
Sports has helped Aubrey build her confidence and reach her full potential as a person and she credits DHS Soccer Coach Haley Williams with being instrumental in her growth. “She is not just a soccer coach, but a friend as well. She recognizes when I am down and lifts me up and encourages me. Coach Haley helped reignite my passion for soccer when the flame got a little dim,” Aubrey said.
Auburn University will be Aubrey’s new home next fall. She plans to study genetics. She said, “I am trying to figure out what exactly I want to do with that. I am very interested in cancer research because my mom had cancer and I am grateful that she made a full recovery.”
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