NCAA Horizon League

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From UWM to Cyprus: Lainey Higgins Embarks on European Soccer Journey

Former University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women’s soccer standout Lainey Higgins has taken a significant leap in her athletic career,signing a professional contract to play for Apollon FC in Cyprus. This move marks a considerable departure for Higgins, who describes herself as a “homebody.”

“Honestly, it’s something I coudl never imagine myself doing,” Higgins admitted. “I always thought of myself as a big homebody. My college was less than two hours away from my hometown. So doing this was something that even I was completely shocked that I was about to do. But it’s something that has really made me step out of my comfort zone and everyone here on the team has made the transition super easy.”

Higgins will not be navigating this new European experience alone. The team bolstered its roster in July by signing two other American players: Abi Hugh from Marshall university and Mallory Mooney from Auburn. The presence of fellow americans in a similar transitional phase provides Higgins with a significant sense of comfort.

“There are a couple of other girls in the same position that I was in terms of taking in this whole new lifestyle and adventure,” she shared. “It was comforting that there would be some fellow Americans with me and helping in my transition process here. We’re doing everything together and learning new things and going through it all together, which makes it easier.”

The club has facilitated the players’ living arrangements, with higgins and nine other teammates residing together in a house provided by apollon FC. Similar to her college experience, the setup offers individual rooms and a communal living environment. The team also benefits from shared transportation, with three cars available for the players.

“There’s 10 of us that live in a house and we all have our own room, so it’s kind of similar to college,” Higgins explained. “There’s a bunch of us girls living together, which is kind of fun becuase there are girls from tons of different countries and experiencing this together. We have three cars amongst us all, too.”

Looking ahead, Higgins hopes this European stint will serve as a stepping stone toward her ultimate goal of playing professionally in the United States.

“I’m hoping to play in the States eventually,but I think this was a good start overseas,” she stated. “My mind kind of shifted,you know,when I’m proudly going to have to move across the globe,something I was willing to do and excited to do.”

Higgins is embracing the prospect to develop her skills and experience new cultures. “I think right now I kind of want to take every opportunity that I can. Would love to continue improving my own personal skill and getting that travel aspect.Kind of exploring Europe would be cool and something I’ve never done before,and something that I want to take advantage of when I can.”