SACRAMENTO, Calif. – St. Francis senior Hailey Barrett will fulfill her goal of playing soccer at her dream school when she signs to play next year at UC Santa Barbara on the National Signing day for soccer on Feb. 3.

“UCSB had been my top choice for as long as I can remember.” said Barrett.  ”The location, academics and great soccer program, made it exactly what I was looking for.”  said Barrett. “It is my dream school.” 

The Gauchos are coached by veteran coach Paul Stumpf, who has coached at the school for 17 seasons and is the school’s all-time winningest coach. UCSB tied for the Big West regular season title in 2015. 

“I visited the campus a few summers ago and again last year, said Barrett. “I fell in love with the campus and after watching a game, decided UCSB was a perfect fit for my college experience.” 

Barrett lists the coaching staff and players as central figures in her decision.

“The coaches are awesome,” said Barrett, who has played for Sacramento United since she was 10. “The team is amazing. Everyone was very nice and welcoming. I’m really looking forward to being part of it.”

Barrett enters her senior season with 22 career goals and 21 assists in 57 career varsity games. She had a career-high 11 goals as a freshman playing forward. She added three goals and nine assists as a sophomore and eight goals and eight assists last seasons from her midfield position. 

Barrett, who is a two-time Delta League first-team selection (2014-15), has helped St. Francis make two consecutive section championship appearances, including a title in 2014.

“It was an amazing experience and I am so glad I got to do it with the St. Francis girls,” said Barrett. “Our team chemistry was so good.”

While the team fell short of their goal last season, it was motivation for the upcoming season.

“With Maryclaire (Robinson) it was an amazing season,” recalled Barrett. “Even though we didn’t come out on top, I felt we grew as a team. She made changes that brought us together and strengthened us. These changes will continue to benefit the future seasons.” 

With her college decision made entering her final high school semester, Barrett is excited to be able to focus on school and enjoy her senior season.

“I am beyond blessed to play soccer in college,” said Barrett. “I have always known that I wanted to continue playing soccer in college and am so grateful to all my coaches throughout the years, both at St. Francis and Sac United, that have contributed to the opportunity that I now have to play at my dream school.”

With the graduation of senior All-American Anna Gregg, Barrett, who was selected as a captain last year, will help with many roles on the team this season including the leadership of the team.

“I am looking forward to being a senior on the team and having that responsibility,” said Barrett, the winner of the Iron Women Award in 2015. “I know when I was a freshmen I really looked up to the seniors on the team. I hope to be able to serve as a role model to the younger players.”

Barrett will participate in a Signing Day Celebration at the school on Feb. 3.