Weiland opts for Youngstown State
BUTLER TWP — While not a no-brainer, Leah Weiland’s college choice is easy to understand.
The Butler senior recently signed a letter of intent to continue her academic and women’s soccer career at Youngstown State University. Her older sister, Chloe, led the Penguins in scoring as a freshman forward at YSU, tallying four goals and 11 points.
Leah also considered Akron before choosing Youngstown State.
“It’s certainly not a surprise with her sister already there,” Butler girls soccer coach Dan Buzzard said. “I imagine Leah will have the same type of impact on the team. She shows great creativity with the ball.”
Leah scored 11 goals and added 11 assists for the Golden Tornado in her senior season. She tallied 36 goals and 27 assists in her high school career.
She plans to major in engineering.
“There are great people there and that program is on the rise,” Leah said. “I want to be part of it.”
The Penguins were 7-7-3 overall, 3-5-2 in Horizon League play under sixth-year coach Brian Schrum last season. In 2022, Schrum led the team to a program-record nine wins (9-8-3) and a program-high five league wins. The Penguins advanced to the Horizon League championship game for the first time in program history.
Leah is part of a seven-player recruiting class at YSU this fall.
“Leah is a wonderful athlete and a tireless worker on the field,” Schrum said in a prepared statement. “She demonstrates all the characteristics of a player who can play any role when asked.
“Leah will be asked to play as a full-back to get up in the attacks as well as defend in wide areas one-on-one. Her stamina and never-give-up attitude will fit right in with our team.”
Buzzard described such a role as suiting Leah’s game just fine.
“She’s a great facilitator who can transition into offense quickly,” the Butler coach said. “She can be a game-changer that way. Leah is strong with the ball, especially for her size. I expect her to put together a productive career there and have a successful four-year career.”
Leah played basketball through eighth grade before deciding to focus on soccer. She’s been playing soccer since age 5.
“I feel like I’m good with the ball and can help to facilitate plays,” she said. “I want to become the best player I can be and I feel Youngstown State will bring that out of me.
“Just moving up to another level, meeting new players and adjusting to a new team, being able to travel to different places ... It’s all very exciting to me.”
