All-Region girls soccer: Hallquist leaves legacy at Columbia River

In middle school, Taylor Hallquist could not imagine playing soccer in college. For that matter, she wasn’t confident she would play high school soccer.

She certainly wasn’t dreaming about contributing to a legacy of success at Columbia River.

But, as she looks forward to playing college soccer at Western Washington, Hallquist can look back on a high school career that includes helping River to first- and third-place state tournament seasons.

This season, she was named the defensive player of the year in the Class 3A Greater St. Helens League. Her versatility and consistency made her The Columbian’s All-Region Player of the Year for girls soccer.

“I’ve been so lucky to have such a great team and to make so many lasting friendships,” Hallquist said.

Filomon Afenegus deserves credit for those opportunities, Hallquist said.

Not only because Afenegus took over the River program when Hallquist was a sophomore, but because he was the coach who rekindled her passion for the game several years earlier.

Hallquist was in middle school and frustrated, wondering if she should stick with soccer. Some training Afenegus did at that time with Hallquist and her twin brother Ryan changed her outlook.

“Fili talked about being creative with the game,” Hallquist said. “It really inspired me to work that much harder on my game.”

This season, her third playing for the River varsity, Hallquist helped the Chieftains limit opponents to only 12 goals over 22 matches. She also scored five goals and assisted on 10.

“I honestly could have played Taylor in every position on the field except goalkeeper and she would have excelled,” Afenegus said. “I think what really set Taylor apart is she could defend brilliantly but also go forward and provide goals or make that pass that set up a teammate.”

She is right-foot dominant, but enjoys playing on the left because it allows her to cut inside onto her strong foot when joining the attack — which is how she scored in the state semifinals.

Hallquist said having to compete every day at practice — both to lead by example and to earn her spot in the field — taught her lessons that benefitted her beyond soccer.

The demands of her increased role, and nagging injuries that she played through this season, made her appreciate what it takes to be a committed leader.

“I remember last year seeing Ana (Delgadillo) drag herself off the field. She worked so hard. Now I know how she felt.”

Like Delgadillo last year, Hallquist’s legacy includes the All-Region Player of the Year selection.

Legacy, she said, is something Afenegus often asks his players to think about.

“That’s such a big thing with the River program,” Hallquist said. “I hope mine is as a team player, and as the girl who made other girls want to work harder.”

The rest of the All-Region team

• Katie Anthony, so., Columbia River

• Mari Chopp, sr., Columbia River

• Anyssa DeVera, jr., Camas

• Marion Lilly, sr., Columbia River

• Mason Minder, jr., Camas

• Taryn Ries, so., Ridgefield

• Lauren Rood, jr., Camas

• Alex Sanders, jr., Union

• Rylee Seekins, jr., Hockinson

• Sydnee Smith, sr., Skyview

• Jordyn Voyles, sr., Ridgefield