Husker at HeartHusker at Heart
Scott Bruhn
Athletics

Husker at Heart

N Our Voice by Haley (Hanson) McCutcheon

When I was just a young girl, running around on the soccer field, I never imagined the sport would take me this far.

I’m currently in my seventh season as a professional soccer player in the NWSL.

Soccer has given me so much—memories, opportunities, and lessons I carry with me every day. A lot of my success stems from my time at the University of Nebraska.

I’m incredibly proud to be an alumna of the soccer program.

I’m proud of the growth I experienced there—on and off the field.

I’m proud to be part of the Nebraska program that’s been a trailblazer for women’s sports for nearly 30 years.

And most importantly, I’ll always be grateful for the opportunity to play for the Huskers.

 

A Creative Outlet

My love for soccer started at a very early age.

I was always a multi-sport athlete, but soccer stood out—it was different.

Soccer wasn’t just a game; it was my creative outlet.

It gave me a space to express myself, to try new things, to take risks. And I loved it.

As it turns out, I was pretty good at it, too.

It wasn’t until high school that I realized soccer could take me places that other sports couldn’t.

That was when I started going to camps and visiting colleges. But I wasn’t looking for just any program.

I’ve always been a competitive person, and I wanted to be challenged.

I wanted to grow.

I wasn’t interested in just showing up and being another player—I wanted a place that would push me to get better.

I found that at Nebraska.

After attending a camp there during my freshman year of high school, I was hooked.

It was the longest, hardest week of my life, but it was also the most rewarding.

I left that camp knowing Nebraska was where I needed to be if I wanted to become the best player I could be.

So, I committed to Nebraska that summer and became a Husker.

The Professional Leap

I had a great career at Nebraska, leaving as a two-time All-Big Ten selection and an All-Region honoree.

I was also fortunate enough to be drafted in the first round of the 2018 NWSL Draft by the Houston Dash.

One question I’m often asked is what it’s like transitioning from college to the pros.

The answer is simple—it’s a massive leap.

The speed of play, the intensity, the level of precision—it’s all on a different level.

But thanks to my time at Nebraska, I was prepared for that leap.

Nebraska taught me resilience, discipline, and how to thrive under pressure, and those lessons carried me through.

I spent five incredible seasons with the Dash and even played a season in Australia during the offseason.

Today, I’m with the Orlando Pride, and we just capped off a dream season by winning the NWSL Championship a few weeks ago.

A Season to Remember

This year with the Pride has been everything I could have hoped for—and more.

Last season, we fell short of our goals.

But coming into this year, we had a renewed sense of purpose.

With most of our core players returning, we set the bar higher than ever: we wanted to win the Shield as the best team in the regular season and bring home the championship.

Before the season began, we meticulously mapped out our goals. We broke the schedule into sections, setting specific targets for each stretch.

We set an ambitious goal of 55 points for the season—something that felt like a dream at the time. But as the games went on, everything started to click.

The beginning wasn’t without its challenges, but as we found our rhythm, our confidence grew.

By the end of the regular season, we’d smashed our goals, finishing with 60 points, sitting at the top of the table, and breaking records along the way.

Winning the league was a milestone, but we knew the real test lay ahead.

Playoffs are a different beast—especially in American sports, where everything comes down to those final games.

We embraced that challenge.

In the semifinals, we went down early against Kansas but fought our way back to secure the win.

It was gritty, exhausting, and the kind of game that defines a team. By the time we reached the championship, we knew we had what it took to finish the job.

And we did.

Winning the championship wasn’t just the culmination of a season—it was the culmination of everything we’d worked for, individually and collectively.

It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but it was worth every second.

Husker for Life

Even though I haven’t been back to Lincoln since I graduated, I still feel deeply connected to the program.

I keep in touch with my teammates, and Coach Walker and I text frequently—he’s always cheering me on.

The Nebraska community was incredible during our championship run this year.

Former teammates showed up to our final match, and I heard from people who worked in the athletic department and even an old professor.

That’s what makes Nebraska so special.

It’s not just a place; it’s a family.

I’m proud to be part of a program that shapes its players for life—not just for soccer.

And I’m proud to carry what I learned there with me every time I step onto the field.

Once a Husker, always a Husker.

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