National Women’s Soccer League rookie and Madison Comprehensive High School alum Taylor Huff finished her first full season as a professional soccer player last Sunday in Louisville.
And in terms of how the campaign went, the stats don’t lie.
Huff was tied for being the second-leading goal scorer on Bay FC, with four goals and one assist, according to ESPN.
But perhaps the most impactful numbers revolved around how Huff was healthy and fit for every Bay match, one of three players to be on the pitch for all 26 league fixtures.
Huff was signed by Bay FC in January 2025, as the team was looking to fill a giant gap in the midfield. The squad needed a “box-to-box” mid that could close down defenders around the top of the 18-yard box and then run all the way down to the other end to help create goal-scoring opportunities.
The NWSL didn’t have a traditional draft for college players, so Huff, as a highly coveted graduate, could shop teams and try to find the best fit.
“I’m grateful for that because it’s on me if I chose the wrong team. It’s not like, oh, I got drafted and I don’t want to go there,” Huff told Source Media in an interview earlier this year.
One of the big selling points for Huff was her faith in head coach Albertin Montoya, who wanted to feature Huff as both the corner and dead-ball taker, but also give her the freedom to become the number six or the number 10, based on the matchup and game flow.
“Taylor is a dynamic midfielder who has consistently excelled at every level of the game,” Montoya said. “Taylor embodies the values, soccer IQ, and relentless drive we strive for at Bay FC and are excited to see the energy and excellence she will bring to our team.”
In sports, however, things don’t always go as planned.
On Sept. 8, Bay announced that Montoya “has decided to step down at the end of the 2025 season,” as stated in the press release.
The “mutual” decision wasn’t a huge surprise as Bay was close to the bottom of the table and was not going to make the playoffs. Those types of moves can have a giant impact on players and it’s something that Huff noted when talking to Source Media at the end of the year.
“My rookie season challenged me in a lot of ways. I learned what it takes to compete at this level, stay consistent, and believe in my process,” Huff said right before her final game of 2025 in Louisville.
Four days after that last match, Huff was named Rookie of the Month for October and November.
“Huff finished the 2025 season with one of the strongest resumes of any first-year player league wide. She ranked first among rookies in minutes played (2,230), chances created (30), duels won (116), recoveries (116) and expected goals (5.02), owing to strong performances in all facets of play,” a Bay press release stated.
The NWSL season awards will be announced Nov. 19 at 5:30 p.m. on ESPN 2 and Huff could be in contention for Rookie of the Year.
Watching that game live and in person, along with 20 or so Mansfieldians that made the trek to Kentucky, it was apparent Huff had found her footing in the league. Constantly she would check to the ball and distribute with quick one touches and field vision.
Although thriving in the U.S.-based league, one could argue that Huff’s style may be more suited for the European game and system.
Much love to American soccer, but if Huff was playing the six (holding midfielder who sits in front of the back line) for Barcelona or PSG, her quick pace and one touches would be rewarded with left-to-right ball movement and endless possession. And a faster pace might also benefit her core soccer style that has been ever-evolving and improving since her days at Madison.
“I’m proud of the foundation I’ve built and the growth I’ve had,” Huff said, reflecting on her first year.
How did she become a pro:
Many people in central Ohio fondly remember in 2020 when the Madison graduate and Mansfield native won a Division II high school state championship with the Rams and was named the United Soccer Coaches National Player of the Year.
After transferring to Florida State University (FSU) from Tennessee, Huff became a three-time All American and won a national championship in 2023.
Huff has been called into U.S. Women’s National Team camps at the U-16, U-20 and now again at the U-23 level.
“I’m motivated to continue improving and excited for what’s ahead,” Huff said.
Huff’s goal against Seattle: