Gloucester area鈥檚 Hanna Heaton: An undeniable force on the pitch
GLOUCESTER, Va. — Hanna Heaton has spent the past sixteen years fiercely committed to her journey of continuously growing and thriving as an elite soccer player; a span of time which serves as a testament to her unwavering passion and competitive spirit.
Hailing from a soccer-obsessed family, Hanna, 20, now a junior studying Cybersecurity at Christopher Newport University (CNU), had a love for the game instilled from a young age. Playing with local club teams like Baystars FC, Virginia Legacy, and Richmond United honed her skills and prepared her for the collegiate and pre-professional level. Hanna now plays as midfielder for both the CNU Captains and the Richmond Ivy, a newly founded women鈥檚 soccer team based in Richmond which competes in the USL W League.
Hanna initially began her college career at the University of North Carolina Wilmington prior to returning closer home to Christopher Newport University. Her experience with a variety of clubs and leagues, coaching styles, and team dynamics undoubtedly shaped her into the resilient athlete she is today. When asked about her goals, Hanna鈥檚 aspirations are clear and couple perfectly with her talent to set the stage for accomplishing her dreams. She shares, “My main goal in the world of collegiate sports is to help my team win a national championship.”
Her perseverance and goal focused mindset are some of Hanna鈥檚 most noted characteristics by those who work closely with her. One of Hanna鈥檚 current coaches, James Gunderson, CNU Women鈥檚 Soccer Head Coach, says, 鈥淗anna made an immediate impact on and off the field her first year at CNU. She is a fierce competitor that hates to lose. She will become more of a leader in the next two seasons, driven by her determination to succeed in all she does. Along with being a stand out athlete, she is a role model for our program and the university. We are grateful she is a part of our program and are looking forward to the next two seasons.鈥�
One of the most significant challenges in soccer, according to Hanna, is the often unpredictable nature of refereeing. This challenge is one faced in every game and Hanna has built up a sense of mental fortitude to move past those moments when a split-second decision or a missed call can significantly impact the outcome of a game. “It is such a challenge dealing with a bad referee. I have to constantly remind myself that I cannot control or fix his/her calls,” she explains.
Despite the frustrations that come with the game, Hanna finds immense joy in the freedom and creativity soccer offers. She recognizes soccer as truly player centric and enjoys that degree of independence and competition. “I love that soccer is ‘the players’ game.’ Coaches don鈥檛 have much control after that whistle blows to start the 90 mins. It’s the 22 players on the pitch that really impact the outcome of the game,” she enthuses.
The mentorship and support of her family have been instrumental in Hanna鈥檚 development as a player. Her father and brother, both soccer enthusiasts, have played a significant role in shaping her skills. She fondly recalls countless hours spent practicing in their home, using the most unconventional household items to support her play. “I would like to thank my father and brother for passing the love for the game to me, and spending constant hours outside of practice and games helping me improve my technical and tactical ability. I know my parents will never forget the constant thudding from me and my brother playing 1v1 upstairs with doorways for goals and also many games of 鈥渕egfests.鈥� I also want to give our old couch a special shoutout for being my loyal rebound wall, and returning so many great one touch passes,” she expresses.
Beyond the physical demands of the sport, Hanna understands the importance of mental resilience. She believes in focusing on the present moment rather than dwelling on past mistakes. “I make mistakes all the time, but what is important are your first few actions after your mistake in order to regain possession,” she emphasizes.
It is tough to imagine that there is much free time for Hanna in between sports schedules for two teams and the priority she places on academics as well, but she knows how important balancing time with her loved ones is as well. She shares, 鈥淚 love spending time with my family and boyfriend. I love boating and fishing, specifically cobia fishing. I love relaxing and watching sports on tv, or in person, with good company. I also love to get coffee at a coffee shop and go shopping for anything.鈥�
With such an impressive number of years in her sport, Hanna has had many chances to gain knowledge and insight from not just her own time on the field but also from her coaches and teammates. Working with a team has taught Hanna to collaborate and communicate, and to trust in her teammates鈥� and her own ability while doing so. When it comes to advice from others, she says, 鈥淭he best advice I have been given is to be a goldfish, because they have a 10 second memory. In soccer you should never hang onto your last play, good or bad. Soccer is also a game of inches, meaning the game could be won or lost based on one action from one player. That is why you give everything to the game every time you step on the field.鈥�
As Hanna continues her soccer journey, her passion for the game is evident. Her dedication, coupled with her mental toughness, positions her for continued success. With a clear focus and unwavering determination, she is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with on the soccer pitch.
“We are proud of all her game time successes around the Continental US to International play in Iceland. But, throughout it all she has remained grounded in her hometown roots. She not only reflects proudly on where it all started for her, right here in Gloucester County, but she still maintains strong relationships with those that impacted her on and off the field, just as she has influenced our younger generation. Our community has traveled to Newport News, Williamsburg, Richmond and Fredericksburg; and it has been truly heartwarming to witness such Gloucester strong community support throughout her journey.” 鈥擟raig and Amy Heaton, Hanna’s parents
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