Longwood midfielder and 2016 first-team All-Big South honoree Finnlay Wyatt will continue his soccer career professionally, with the Richmond Kickers of the United Soccer League (USL). The Sheffield, England native was a senior midfielder for the Lancers this past season, finishing his career with 50 starts out of 53 total appearances.
“He is a guy that takes care of business on and off the field, exemplary in the classroom, exemplary on the field. Just a model student and a model athlete,” said head men’s soccer coach Jon Atkinson.
Wyatt owns 11 career goals, including two game-winners, and 13 assists during his time at Longwood. He signed his first professional contract with the Kickers, a team he has been a part of since the age of 14. The Kickers finished last season in seventh place in the Eastern conference of the USL, one tier below the top division, Major League Soccer (MLS).
“I have known I wanted to play professionally pretty much since I was born. I have grown up playing it (soccer), and been around it since I was young,” said Wyatt. “I played for some of the youth professional teams when I was a lot younger, and ever since I thought about it.”
Wyatt moved to Midlothian, Va. at the age of 14, and he immediately began to play with the Kickers through their youth teams and academies. When he reached the age of 16, Wyatt began to train with the first team and got a chance to play in a few reserve games. Once he came to school he would go home every summer and jump in with the team for training sessions.
“College is the step from going from high school and club academy, to the next level. Longwood got me through and gave me the experience and exposure, and allowed me the opportunity to show my skills, give me the best chance possible to make it to the next level,” said Wyatt.
