Ten minutes with Taylor Hansen

There are two things happening in Taylor Hansen's life these days that remind her she is not in Missoula anymore preparing for another season as a Montana Grizzly.

The first is the weather as she makes her way to the San Diego Polo Fields for another day of training as a non-roster invitee of the San Diego Wave, a National Women's Soccer League expansion team.

It's sunny and 74 degrees. And repeat. "San Diego is not a bad place to be. It's sunny, it's beautiful," says Hansen, who spent her high school days living, playing and going to school just north of the city.

And then there are those moments at practice when she is reminded that she is surrounded by some of the world's best players. After all, the NWSL only goes a dozen teams deep, making for a concentration of talent.

"There were some girls who drove by and you just hear, 'WE LOVE YOU, ALEX MORGAN!'" says Hansen, who is one of just 34 players on the Wave's preseason roster as the club prepares for next month's NWSL Challenge Cup and the regular season that follows.

Morgan is a teammate and one of the most well-known soccer players in the U.S. if not the world.

"But you get in the environment and it's just normal. There is no talk about who's what. The coaching staff wants every player to feel valued no matter what. That's something they push. They make you feel like every other girl on the team. It's beautiful, really."

Some of the players are under contract. Others, like Hansen, aren't. All are competing to make the final roster cut. Teams have to carry a minimum of 22 players and can have a maximum of 24, with four additional supplemental players.

"Nothing is guaranteed. I'm just going in every day trying to enjoy it and take it all in." She has no Plan B or C or D, just this. "I'm putting everything toward this right now. I really want to make this work," she says.

"San Diego is where I want to be. The direction the coaching staff is taking the team and where they want to get is something I want to be a part of. They are just great people here."

That she is with San Diego is no fluke. The club inquired about the hometown girl before December's draft and had multiple conversations with Montana coach Chris Citowicki about the three-time first-team All-Big Sky Conference defender.

Hansen was one of 189 players to register for the draft, the only one from the Big Sky Conference.

She was on the Wave's short list going into draft day on Dec. 18, which doubled as graduation day at the University of Montana. And she knew she was on the short list. There was an expectation that she would be one of the 50 players to get drafted, one of the five picks that San Diego owned.

If the other soon-to-be graduates on campus that day were celebrating the end of a long journey, Hansen's focus was more on what was in front of her. Or what she hoped was in front of her.

"I woke up giddy in the morning. I went to graduation but the whole time I'm looking at the time, not really focused on graduation," she says.

"I wasn't sure I was going to be able to walk because I wanted to watch the draft all the way through. Chris said I ran off the stage, which I probably did."

She had to be out of her house by the next day, so her home was in no condition to host a viewing party. Instead everyone gathered at the home of Sami Siems.

"The emotions were super high. I was super nervous. I hadn't been that anxious in a while and didn't know how to calm down," she said.

She was surrounded by her parents and some of her former teammates. "Everybody was around me, but I felt alone and like I wanted to be alone."

San Diego's first pick came and went. Then its second and third. Then its fourth. With its final pick, the Wave selected Georgia's Kayla Bruster. A defender, just like Hansen.

"To not get my name called was pretty devastating," she says. "But it's a business, and depending on how the draft goes and who picks what players, that can affect everything."

If she couldn't then, today she's able to add, "It was pretty cool to even be in that position to be on the bubble."

She went home and continued packing up her house. Later in the day, San Diego assistant coach Rich Gunny, the one who had been in contact with Hansen and Citowicki leading up to the draft, called.

"He told me not to worry. He listed how many players in the NWSL went undrafted and how there are different routes to take," said Hansen.

"That was super helpful and reassuring. The draft is just part of the process, so I just had to keep my head up."

And wait to be extended an offer as a non-roster invitee, which is why she's back in San Diego, training on one of just 12 teams in the top women's professional soccer league in the U.S.

She's one of just a few hundred who can make that claim.

"I definitely have a lot of learning to do. The speed of play is something I have to get used to. Fitness-wise I feel really well prepared. I'm just trying to soak it all in and really enjoy it," she said.

"It's hard not to feel supported in this environment. The girls are so welcoming and the staff is super helpful. They really make you feel valued as a player."

Ten minutes with Taylor Hansen

Has playing in the NWSL always been a goal?

It was definitely a dream but I didn't know that it could be a goal. Those are two completely different things, so it's kind of surreal to even be in this position.

How did you prepare for the preseason?

I wanted to be prepared for anything. (Montana coaches Chris Citowicki, Ashley Herndon and J. Landham) were super helpful in dedicating their time to trying to help me. Chris and I were having sessions four times a week at The Sports Barn. They so kindly let us use their space and train there.

And then I was also meeting with Chris twice a week. We'd go over questions, mentality. We went over a book called "Winning" by Tim Grover, just to get my mental side right. That's the big question. Can you come into the pros from college and handle it mentally? I was also lifting and working out four times a week with a trainer.

How did you prepare mentally to be in such a talented environment?

All throughout college, Chris has helped me with the mental side of things. Even more so, the last month we made a really big push, not only soccer IQ-wise but also just reading books, studying great players and how they approach the game and what their mindset is. Just trying to be aware of my weaknesses so I can work on them.

How different is it playing in the NWSL versus playing at the NCAA Division I level?

The first thing I noticed was the speed of play and also the physicality. It's a lot, but it's also super fun. Everybody is here for the same thing. They are dedicated. They wouldn't have made it this far if they weren't driven and super competitive and high-quality athletes. It's incredible to be surrounded by such amazing women.

What was something you were expecting to be very hard or challenging but when you got there you realized you were just fine?

I felt like I prepared as best I could coming into it, but I still never knew about the unknown and how I was going to handle that. I didn't have any real expectations so that was kind of hard. I think I made up a lot of things in my head. Maybe the physical side of it. I take pride in my fitness but it's still something I always question.

What is a typical day like in the professional environment?

Meetings, training and there is a ton of time spent toward recovery and treatment. That's something that's changed the most. After our day, the rest of my day is spent on food, water, stretching, Normatec, just taking care of my body. It's expected at this level to be able to train as hard as we do.

And also, I want to control every variable that I can to give myself the best opportunity. It doesn't mean it's going to happen, but it will give me a chance.

What has been the biggest challenge along your journey from youth soccer to the NWSL?

The mental aspect of it and believing in myself and that I can do it. I've been very fortunate to have great coaches in college and coaches growing up who really believed in me and really pushed me. Without them it definitely wouldn't be possible.

What aspects of Griz soccer have best prepared you for pursuing a professional career?

There's a lot. I would say how Chris and the coaching staff just really focus on developing better people and a push to build relationships, because that's a massive thing too. The tactical aspect too. He always brings new things to the game. I don't feel super behind on the tactical side of things just because of all he does off the field for us and how he shares his knowledge.

University of Montana Athletics

Players Mentioned

Taylor Hansen

Sami Siems

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