Shelby Township native, Regina alum sets school records for Ave Maria University women’s soccer

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Returning for her fifth soccer season at Ave Maria University in Florida, Shelby Township native and Warren Regina graduate Haley Iacona gave the team everything she had both on and off the field.

A defensive staple at the center back position, Iacona’s reliability as a defender and veteran leader led her to the Ave Maria record books.

Prior to her final season concluding on Nov. 4, Iacona set Ave Maria career records in minutes played (5,382) and games played (76) while also setting a single-season record in minutes played (1,539).

“She’s extraordinarily consistent, and I think that’s why she stayed on the field for us,” Ave Maria coach Tyler Rosser said. “The reason why she stayed on the field, and how I would describe her consistency, is her effort was very consistent and her play was very consistent. We could always trust her in the back to maintain possessions and help get us out of binds defensively.”

With Iacona on the back line, Ave Maria set a school record the past two years — in back-to-back seasons — for fewest goals against in a season. Ave Maria allowed 23 goals in 18 games last season. Support and encouragement were two major things Iacona flourished in bringing to Ave Maria, especially to her underclassmen teammates.

“I just tried to play as hard as I could and be as positive and vocal as I could, especially in my position as a center back, because you can see the whole field,” Iacona said. “I just tried to provide as much encouragement and direction so they knew they had support.”

Rosser said Iacona’s impact as a leader was evident throughout the season, especially when she spoke to the team during its final game.

“She did a great job of developing friendships with freshmen, women who were sometimes five years younger than she is,” Rosser said. “Not only on the field, but she’d get coffee with them, lunch with them, and really just get to know them as players and people. We really appreciated that. At the end of the season, she was really kind of the mom of the team and people really looked up to her. At the end of the last game, she just talked and told us how much she appreciated this team and this was her favorite team she ever played for, and there was not a dry eye in the huddle. It was just beautiful to see how her teammates loved her and she loved her team.”

Iacona earned all-state honorable mention at Warren Regina, leading Regina to three Catholic High School League finals and two Michigan High School Athletic Association state semifinal appearances.

Holding a double major in both exercise physiology and business administration, Iacona said she’s still unsure of what career path she wants to choose.

Iacona has been shadowing Ave Maria women’s soccer strength and conditioning coach Alan Dalton, and has gained interest in the field through her hands-on experience.

But as Iacona still decides on her career path, she’s still pursuing different options of soccer after college, whether on the field or on the sidelines.

“There’s other semi-pro teams in Michigan, and I’ve thought about joining one of those teams or playing pickup,” Iacona said. “Even if I don’t play, I definitely want to get into coaching, even if it’s volunteering and eventually becoming an assistant coach for a club. Even if I don’t play, I definitely want to coach.”

Iacona said she chose Ave Maria years ago because not only was she accustomed to attending smaller Catholic schools in the past, but also because she said it felt like home.

Now five years later, Iacona bids farewell to a university that she will forever call home, and a trio of records along the way as well.

Iacona said she learned one major thing throughout her time at Ave Maria.

“I would say that there’s always going to be people to support you and want you to succeed and grow as a person,” Iacona said. “My coaches have supported me so much and have always asked me how I’m doing, if I need anything, and if they can pray for me. They just really want me and the rest of my teammates to succeed on and off the field.”