Samford soccer continues its season and their goal to win the Southern Conference while one player has made a name for herself among the victories. Redshirt sophomore goalie Peyton Hull has proven to be a key piece of this Bulldogs team. She has started all 13 games this year putting together eight shutouts.
Hull was tied for first in shutouts in the NCAA earlier in the season and still remains one of the top ranked goalies in the country. Head Coach Todd Yelton said that having a goalkeeper like Hull allows him to coach his team more aggressively.
“You can certainly be more attacking minded,” Yelton said, “which is just a huge boost for everyone.”
Yelton said that confidence in her has been high all season and has allowed the team as a whole to be more confident in their ability to win games.
“She was a big reason we went to the NCAA tournament,” he said.
Hull found out about her accolades earlier this season through one of her teammates.
“Accolades were never even on my radar and then they just kind of started happening,” said Hull.
Her focus is one game at a time. By being the best goaltender she can be, she helps her teammates with the goal of winning the SoCon and going back to the NCAA tournament.
“My dad told me to stay humble, but hungry. I would rather continue to win the SoCon to get us to the NCAAs (tournament) than have my personal name up on an accomplishment,” said Hull.
The Bulldogs only have 3 more weeks of the regular season before transitioning to the conference tournament and postseason play.
Going forward, Coach Yelton said that they “want to keep as many clean sheets as we can. If you can keep a clean sheet, the worst-case scenario is you’re getting a point (in the standings).”
As the team prepares for its upcoming final stretch of the regular season, Hull and the rest of the team are heavily focusing on repeating their SoCon title. Confidence is high and every game brings a new opportunity for Coach Yelton and his team to move one step closer to their overall goal.
Staff Reporter
