Published: June 5, 2021
Just a few months ago, Madison Nichols says she had never considered playing in the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL). Then a coach contacted her about an opportunity to train and play with an Atlanta-based club. Until then, Madison did not know much about WPSL. After a little research and a visit to a tryout, she was officially offered a spot on the team.
Madison began training with MOBA Peachtree City WPSL in May this year as the youngest player on the team roster. After several weeks of hard work in training sessions, Madison found herself on the gameday roster starting at left forward. In the game against North Alabama SC WPSL, the youngster, Madison Nichols, fit right in. She went to work carving up the defense and helping her side to a 1-0 win, the team’s first win of the season. See highlights of Madison’s performance by clicking here.
This week, Madison was again on the gameday roster in a starting role at right forward against a strong Nashville Rhythm side. Nine minutes into the opening half, Madison’s corner found a cutting MOBA PTC forward resulting in her first WPSL assist. Watch Madison’s assist here.
Madison says, “Things have moved so fast I really haven’t had time to think about how WPSL is helping me and what I am learning. At the beginning, I thought this opportunity could help me by playing with bigger, stronger, faster D1 players who are older and more experienced. And that has been true. But what I have learned the most has been what the college and pro experience is going to be like…
- Every minute is earned every training session, every week. The first couple of games I didn’t start. That was new for me. Actually, I wasn’t even on the game day roster – something I have never experienced since I started playing soccer at 4.
- Teammates value and respect a strong work ethic and the locker room environment is fun and encouraging. I know every team is different, but I love what I am experiencing this season.
- I love the faster speed of play. Even though I play on a very good club team, the faster speed of play with WPSL has been fun for me and has raised my confidence with my club team.”
Madison is ranked in the top 150 club players in the country and trains and plays with Tophat Soccer in Atlanta, Georgia as a member of the #11 ranked team in the country with the #1 soccer club in the US. Madison also plays in the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) with MOBA Peachtree City.
