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Branford’s Wilkerson, Wardle sign to play soccer collegiately

Branford's Kayleigh Wardle (left) and Wren Wilkerson signed on Wednesday to play soccer at the collegiate level. Courtesy of Cara Soride
Branford's Kayleigh Wardle (left) and Wren Wilkerson signed on Wednesday to play soccer at the collegiate level.
Courtesy of Cara Soride
Key Points
  • Wren Wilkerson signed to play soccer at Faulkner University in Montgomery, Alabama, after finishing second on Branford's team with 41 steals.
  • Kayleigh Wardle signed with Mid Atlantic Christian University in North Carolina, leading Branford with nine assists and scoring eight goals.
  • Branford's girls soccer team finished the season 9-10-1, losing 8-0 in the Class 2A-Region 1 Quarterfinals to Providence.

Two members of the FHSAA Class 2A-District 2 champion Branford girls soccer team will get a chance to play at the next level.

On Wednesday, midfielder Wren Wilkerson signed to play soccer at Faulkner University in Montgomery, Alabama, and forward Kayleigh Wardle inked with Mid Atlantic Christian University in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.

“We are incredibly proud of these student-athletes,” said Branford coach Cara Soride. “We are excited to watch their growth in the sport at the next level.”

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Branford's Wren Wilkerson. Photo by C.J. Gish
Photo by C.J. Gish Wren Wilkerson

Wilkerson finished second on the team with 41 steals.

“Wren was a natural leader on our team,” Soride said. “She was a reliable player that we could use anywhere on the field. Her defending skills helped us greatly against teams with high-pressure offenses, yet she had the midfielder skills to create runs for our offense.”

Wardle, who had three assists in the 3-1 district championship win against Dixie County (Cross City), led the team with nine assists and finished second on the team with eight goals and 25 points.

Branford's Kayleigh Wardle. Photo by C.J. Gish
Photo by C.J. Gish Kayleigh Wardle

“Kayleigh has spent countless hours and touches on the ball during the off-season to improve her skills,” Soride said. “She knew we needed key plays to help improve our scoring capabilities and she put in the work to be that player for us. In result, her corner kicks and free kicks set up multiple goals and goal-scoring opportunities for us.”

The Bucs finished 9-10-1 this season, which included an 8-0 loss at state semifinalist Providence (Jacksonville) in the FHSAA Class 2A-Region 1 Quarterfinals.

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