Payton Galuski Commits to Penn State Women’s Soccer

Rising Talent Breaks Barriers in Section 2

Payton Galuski has spent years seeking new challenges, starting with the Fordians’ girls’ varsity squad in middle school, where she helped capture back‑to‑back state titles in 2022 and 2023. The following school year she moved to the boys’ team as a freshman and quickly earned a captain’s badge the next season. Coach Ryan Hardy praised her work ethic, noting she leads by example and pushes teammates to give their utmost.

Commitment to Penn State Endorses Ambitious Goals

After the recruiting window opened on June 15, Galuski solidified her choice on July 8, announcing she will play Division I soccer at Penn State. Her top five options were Penn State, North Carolina, Tennessee, Michigan State and Notre Dame, with the Nittany Lions standing out for their openness about her professional aspirations. She highlighted the program’s focus on player development as a key factor in her decision, emphasizing that she wants to “go pro” and play for the U.S. women’s national team. She also cited conversations with head coach Erica Damback as influential in her choice.

Statistical Highlights and Historic Achievements

Galuski’s résumé is already impressive, boasting 116 goals across both the girls’ and boys’ squads. She recorded 80 goals and 39 assists on the girls’ side, while adding 36 goals and 30 assists in two seasons with the boys’ team. As a seventh‑grader in 2022 she earned the New York State Class C and Times Union Small School Player of the Year honor, and she became the first girl ever named to the boys’ all‑state team.

Future Teammates and Motivation

At Penn State, Galuski will join former Section 2 standout Kennedy Ring, a Columbia High graduate set to debut in 2025, and she credits Ring’s encouragement for strengthening her commitment. She will be a freshman at Penn State when Ring is a senior, giving her time to integrate. Claire Hutton, a Bethlehem High alum who plays for Bay FC in the NWSL and is a regular with the U.S. women’s national team, serves as a constant source of inspiration for Galuski’s own professional dreams. The support from both a future college teammate and an established professional underscores her drive to reach the highest levels of the sport.

Look Ahead

Coach Ryan Hardy expressed pride in Galuski’s accomplishments, noting she now carries the responsibility of being a role model for other girls looking to follow her path. He reminded her that the work will continue, urging even greater effort beyond the Penn State opportunity. Galuski’s blend of relentless ambition, strong support network, and proven performance positions her as a rising force in women’s soccer.