Sky Blue FC draft pick, Leah Galton, talks NWSL draft and preseason preparation

With the 13th pick in the 2016 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Draft, Sky Blue FC selected forward Leah Galton from Hofstra University.

An England native and dynamic forward who scored 48 goals over four seasons at Hofstra, Galton is looking to hit the ground running as the NWSL preseason approaches. Wanting to make an immediate impact, Galton knows it will take a tremendous amount of effort and commitment as she will be completing her final semester at Hofstra as the 2016 NWSL season begins.

I had the privilege of speaking to one of the newest additions of Sky Blue about her soccer career, transition into the NWSL, and getting to know this rookie a little bit more!

Leah Galton (gohofstra.com)

Double G Sports (DGS): What do you do in your off time?

Leah Galton (LG): I tend to try and be around my friends as much as possible. Out here in the States I don’t have my family around me, so friends have truly become my family. I don’t know what I would do without them. I love to hang out and relax with them during my off time, because when it’s time to work, I know I will always be ready to put in everything I can.

DGS: How did you begin playing soccer?

LG: I began playing soccer when I was about four years old. I have my dad to thank for this! He has played soccer his whole life and he initially got me into the game. I would go with him on weekends and watch him play. One time I asked him if I could join a club as I got old enough and the rest, well as they say, is history.

DGS: Has there been anyone that has been with you every step of the way throughout your career?

LG: My dad has always been there for me through everything. Obviously, he hasn’t been able to watch me week in and week out while I have been in America the past four years, but he has definitely been there for me.

While I have been at Hofstra, the coaching staff and my amazing team have helped me progress and become the player I am today, and I will be forever thankful for them.

DGS: How did you find out you were drafted?

LG: I watched the draft on the live web link with some of my close friends at Hofstra. I arrived back in the country the night before the draft and was very excited; so excited to the point where no matter how bad my jet-leg was, I couldn’t sleep!

DGS: Can you take us through the process of deciding to enter the draft?

LG: To be honest I wasn’t quite familiar with how the whole draft process worked.

After my senior season at Hofstra, I took a few weeks off from soccer and just worked out to my own accord. I was speaking to my coach and asked him about how the process worked. Then I signed up for the draft online with my application and to my luck and hard work, Sky Blue drafted me as the 13th pick of the draft, and I will always be grateful for this.

DGS: You ended your college career with 48 goals and 26 assists, how can you keep this momentum up as you transition into the NWSL?

LG: I hope to transition to the NWSL as quickly as possible. Obviously, it’s not going to be easy, but I am hoping I will pick it up quickly, and fit in with the level and standard of the team. I just hope I can find my feet and help get myself and the team on a roll of goal scoring, assisting and winning games.

DGS: What is one thing you want to focus on improving in your game before the season begins?

LG: I have a lot of work to do in the next couple of months before preseason. I know for a fact I have to continue to work on every aspect soccer wise and my fitness needs to see improvement too. I am working on those aspects as we speak and hopefully will be at my best fitness level when I join the team in March for preseason.

DGS: What are a few characteristics or qualities you think you bring to the team that will make an immediate impact?

LG: I think my enthusiasm and hard work. I always try my hardest to bring my “A” game and work as hard as I possibly can no matter the situation. I am very keen, excited to meet the team, and work with the coaching staff to prepare to take on the 2016 NWSL season.

DGS: Are you planning on finishing school and playing with Sky Blue?

LG: Yes, I am indeed. I only have one semester of college left. It’s going to be hard work for the next couple of months, but I am going to give it a good shot. I am excited to get my degree in sports and exercise science, as well as play professionally with a great team like Sky Blue.

DGS: What are looking forward to or most excited about now that you’ve been drafted?

LG: Like I said before, just cracking on with the season. I love being in-season and the whole atmosphere of it, so let’s hope Sky Blue has a good one! And I know I am going to do everything I can to make that possible.