Erin Hardy
Encyclopedia
Erin Rachel Hollingshead (born Erin Rachel Hardy, September 16, 1986) is an American soccer player from Costa Mesa, California
. She was a defender
for the UCLA
women's soccer team and the Pali Blues
of the United Soccer Leagues
' W-League
.
and helping UCLA to eighteen shutouts in the season. Over the next three seasons, Hardy became a key leader of the Bruin defense; during her senior year, the Bruin defense only allowed six goals in twenty-five matches.
During the 2008 NCAA Final Four
game versus North Carolina
, Hardy drew a controversial call for a penalty kick
after she tackled North Carolina
's Brittani Bartok in the goal box. Yael Averbuch
scored the penalty kick, which ended up being the game-winning goal for the Tar Heels. The loss would be the last Final Four appearance for Hardy, a senior. Despite the loss, UCLA coach Jillian Ellis praised Hardy, calling her "the best defender in the country."
, but withdrew her name two days before the draft took place, citing a desire to complete her degree at UCLA and focus on other aspects of her life. She rejoined the Pali Blues
for the 2009 W-League
season.
that competed in the 2006 FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship
in Russia
, alongside UCLA teammates Danesha Adams
, Lauren Cheney
, Christina DiMartino
, and Valerie Henderson
. She was also part of the United States U-23 women's national soccer team player pool.
Costa Mesa, California
Costa Mesa is a city in Orange County, California. The population was 109,960 at the 2010 census. Since its incorporation in 1953, the city has grown from a semi-rural farming community of 16,840 to a primarily suburban and "edge" city with an economy based on retail, commerce, and light...
. She was a defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
for the UCLA
University of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA. It was founded in 1919 as the "Southern Branch" of the University of California and is the second oldest of the ten campuses...
women's soccer team and the Pali Blues
Pali Blues
Pali Blues is an American women’s soccer team, founded in 2008. The team is a member of the United Soccer Leagues W-League, the second tier of women’s soccer in the United States and Canada...
of the United Soccer Leagues
United Soccer Leagues
The United Soccer Leagues is the organizer of several soccer leagues with teams in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. It includes men's and women's leagues, both professional and amateur. Leagues currently organized are the USL Pro, the USL Premier Development League, the W-League, and...
' W-League
W-League
The USL W-League is a national women's soccer league in the United States on the 2nd level of women's soccer in the United States soccer pyramid, alongside the Women's Premier Soccer League and below Women's Professional Soccer....
.
College career
As a freshman, Hardy started twenty-five of twenty-six matches for the Bruins in 2005, anchoring the UCLA defense alongside Jill OakesJill Oakes
Jill Pauline Oakes is an American soccer defender currently playing for Chicago Red Stars of Women's Professional Soccer....
and helping UCLA to eighteen shutouts in the season. Over the next three seasons, Hardy became a key leader of the Bruin defense; during her senior year, the Bruin defense only allowed six goals in twenty-five matches.
During the 2008 NCAA Final Four
NCAA Women's Soccer Championship
NCAA Women's Soccer Championships are divided into three divisions. This article lists NCAA Women's soccer championships.-Division I:The NCAA began conducting a Women's Division I Soccer Championship tournament in 1982 with a 12-team tournament...
game versus North Carolina
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
, Hardy drew a controversial call for a penalty kick
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
after she tackled North Carolina
North Carolina Tar Heels women's soccer
The North Carolina Tar Heels women's soccer team represent the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the Atlantic Coast Conference of NCAA Division I soccer...
's Brittani Bartok in the goal box. Yael Averbuch
Yael Averbuch
Yael Friedman Averbuch is an American soccer midfielder currently playing for Western New York Flash of Women's Professional Soccer, and is a member of the United States women's national soccer team....
scored the penalty kick, which ended up being the game-winning goal for the Tar Heels. The loss would be the last Final Four appearance for Hardy, a senior. Despite the loss, UCLA coach Jillian Ellis praised Hardy, calling her "the best defender in the country."
Post-collegiate career
Hardy was expected to be a top draft pick at the 2009 WPS Draft2009 WPS Draft
The 2009 WPS College Draft took place on January 16, 2009. It was the first college draft held by Women's Professional Soccer to assign the WPS rights of college players to the American-based teams.-Round 1:-Round 2:-Round 3:-Round 4:-Round 5:...
, but withdrew her name two days before the draft took place, citing a desire to complete her degree at UCLA and focus on other aspects of her life. She rejoined the Pali Blues
Pali Blues
Pali Blues is an American women’s soccer team, founded in 2008. The team is a member of the United Soccer Leagues W-League, the second tier of women’s soccer in the United States and Canada...
for the 2009 W-League
W-League
The USL W-League is a national women's soccer league in the United States on the 2nd level of women's soccer in the United States soccer pyramid, alongside the Women's Premier Soccer League and below Women's Professional Soccer....
season.
National Team career
In 2006, Hardy was a member of the fourth-place United States U-20 women's national soccer teamUnited States U-20 women's national soccer team
The United States U-20 women's national soccer team is a youth soccer team operated under the auspices of U.S. Soccer. Its primary role is the development of players in preparation for the full Women's National Team. The team's most recent major tournament was the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World...
that competed in the 2006 FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship
2006 FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship
The 2006 FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship was held in Russia from 17 August to 3 September 2006. It was the officially recognized world championship for women's under-20 national football teams...
in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, alongside UCLA teammates Danesha Adams
Danesha Adams
Danesha Adams is an American soccer forward and midfielder currently playing for Medkila IL in Norway's Toppserien. She has played for WPS's Chicago Red Stars and Philadelphia Independence and the United States national team.-International career statistics:-References:* * * * *...
, Lauren Cheney
Lauren Cheney
Lauren Nicole Cheney is an American soccer player and member of the United States women's national soccer team. She is currently a forward for Women's Professional Soccer's Boston Breakers.-Career:...
, Christina DiMartino
Christina DiMartino
Christina DiMartino , is an American soccer midfielder currently playing for Philadelphia Independence of Women's Professional Soccer and is a member of the United States women's national soccer team...
, and Valerie Henderson
Valerie Henderson
Valerie Kay "Val" Henderson is an American soccer goalkeeper currently playing for the Philadelphia Independence of Women's Professional Soccer....
. She was also part of the United States U-23 women's national soccer team player pool.