- May 6, 2024
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Madison Hald signed to forward her playing career and education at Florida Southern College. Photo by Jeff Dawsey
Hald signs with the support of her family. Photo by Jeff Dawsey
Hald scored 70 goals and recorded 47 assists in her four years with FPC. File photo
Coach Pete Hald spent his first 17 years coaching other parents' kids, but he got to coach his daughter for the last nine years. Photo by Jeff Dawsey
Going into her final season with Flagler Palm Coast, Madison Hald had already committed to a college, and she was ready to make another strong run at a state title. But, several matches into the season, Hald lost her scholarship — while she was injured.
Hald had previously signed to play college soccer for Lynn University in Boca Raton in 2015, but, the university’s budget was cut, and several student-athletes’ lost their scholarships. Hald was one of them.
“I was pretty devastated, she said. “I had worked hard to get where I was, and I was proud it had paid off. So, getting that phone call was pretty upsetting.”
“Over the last nine years, I’ve had the privilege of coaching her. I know she’s made FPC proud, and I know she’s made her mom and me proud.”
PETE HALD, FPC girls soccer coach on his daughter, Madi Hald
What made her situation more disheartening was that Hald had re-injured her quad muscle and was sidelined a lot longer than expected.
Looking for another landing spot in the final hours, Hald knew she didn’t want to leave Florida, sign with a Division-I college, and she expected a good-paying scholarship. With those parameters, she was doubtful but expected something to
happen.
After getting back to full form and helping the Bulldogs return to the region final with upset victories over Spruce Creek and Buchholz, Hald picked up several offers and chose Florida Southern University.
“Southern mostly had everything I wanted in a school,” she said.
She officially signed with the school with the support of her family, teammates and friends on Tuesday, April 18, at FPC.
During the ceremony, head coach Pete Hald got emotional during his speech as he described one of his best players, who just so happens to be his daughter.
“Madison, like so many of our players, led by example,” he said. “It’s hard being the coach’s kid. But she is so proud of this team. She felt like this team was her team, much more than club soccer. Over the last nine years, I’ve had the privilege of coaching her. I know she’s made FPC proud, and I know she’s made her mom and me proud.”
