Teammates, best friends Ilana Hall, Maci Onstott will take soccer skills to Kentucky Wesleyan
HENDERSON, Ky. -- Kentucky Wesleyan gets a two-for-one deal as versatile Henderson County seniors Ilana Hall and Maci Onstott will join the Panthers soccer program.
Hall and Onstott worked in both the midfield and the defensive backfield as they helped Henderson County reach the Final Four of the state tournament for the first time in school history.
More: Girls soccer: Henderson County hopes Final Four run pays benefits down the road
For Onstott, the decision to continue her education and soccer career seemed like a natural progression. Hall's plan to join her best friend at KWC came much later.
"I’ve grown up watching their games. My dad would take me. I’ve always loved to go and watch them. I love everything about it," said Onstott, who never really considered attending another college.. "I’m so excited to be on that team."
Hall wasn't planning to play soccer in college at all but had a change of heart as her senior season neared an end.
"I really love the sport, so after high school I wasn’t ready to part with it yet," she said. "A month before the high school season ended I decided I’m not ready to leave it yet."
More: Girls soccer: Henderson County advances to Final Four with 5-1 win over Ohio County
Onstott didn't like the idea that she might no longer be teammates with Hall.
"When she told me last year that she wasn’t going to play soccer, it upset me because I’ve been playing with her since we were 7 years old," Onstott recalled. "When she told me that she wanted to play at Wesleyan with me, I was so excited. I love going into college with my best friend."
Not only will Hall and Onstott be teammates, they are both planning to enter the pre-veterinary program at KWC.
As far as soccer goes, both are preparing to start over.
"It’s hard starting with a new team," Hall said. "You’re not one of the top players anymore. You’re back at the bottom of the food chain."
"The game will be at a faster pace with bigger girls and faster girls and older girls," Onstott said.
This article originally appeared on Henderson Gleaner: Henderson County's Ilana Hall, Maci Onstott will play soccer at KWC
