Rhylie Erdman enjoys the physicality of soccer, and the Rochelle Township High School senior midfielder is always battling with her opponents for possession of the ball when the Lady Hubs varsity team takes the field.

Erdman began playing soccer during her recess time in elementary school nine years ago, often playing against the boys in her class. She participated in the AYSO program when she was younger, and she also played for the Rochelle Middle School team, which consisted of both boys and girls.

“I always just wanted to play,” Erdman said. “It’s really a contact sport and I think it’s a lot of fun. I would describe myself as a strong-headed player because I’m always trying my best and I’m always trying to encourage everybody to do their best as well. Playing soccer is an amazing experience, and I think soccer has helped make me the person I am today.”

Playing with the boys didn’t stop Erdman from continuing her passion for soccer. Rather, the Lady Hub senior said her experiences with the sport growing up helped motivate her to push herself and improve her game.

“It was weird because I had been used to playing with an all-girls team going into middle school,” Erdman said. “The boys play so differently but it was nice because we were pushed harder, and I think that experience helped me once I got to high school.”

While Erdman and her Rochelle teammates are off to a 1-4 start this season, the girls are seeing a resurgence in both participation and excitement for Lady Hub soccer. Rochelle had no junior varsity team last year, and the Lady Hubs even struggled to field a competitive varsity team.

But with two full squads this year, Rochelle has taken the first step toward rebuilding its girls soccer program. For Erdman, who is in her fourth year with the Lady Hubs, the uptick in players and the increased camaraderie on the field are making her final season at RTHS much more satisfying.

“It’s amazing that we have more girls trying out because I feel like people were scared to get into a new sport,” said Erdman, who is a co-captain on this year’s varsity team. “We have a lot of girls in their first year who are doing amazing right now… We can really play soccer as one team again. I think we’ve been doing a really good job bonding together and I want to see us continue to communicate with each other and trust each other.”

Erdman typically starts on the left side of the midfield, allowing her to utilize her strong left leg to push the ball up the sideline and set up crossing opportunities for her teammates in front of the opposing team’s penalty box. One of Erdman’s biggest influences in soccer has been junior teammate and co-captain Olivia Piloni, who Erdman said has helped her stay on top of her game both on and off the field.

“She pushes everybody on our team to do their best,” Erdman said. “She pushes us in our sports and in academics. She’s always on top of everything, she has a good attitude and everybody follows that. She’s been there for me through everything and she’s helped me be the best player and person I can be.”

Despite a few tough losses to start the season, Erdman and her teammates continue to hold their heads high. And with Rochelle’s conference schedule about to begin, Erdman is looking to step up as a vocal leader and role model for her teammates.

“Being in the midfield is awesome because you can see what’s going on in front of you and behind you,” Erdman said. “I can help the newer girls up front with what they’re doing and I can help the girls in the back as well… It’s important to keep pushing because there are going to be some hard days when we lose game or have a tough practice.”

Erdman has run cross country at Rochelle for two years in addition to her time with Lady Hub soccer. She said she enjoys learning about psychology in school, and she said she plans to pursue a career with the U.S. Armed Forces after she joined up a few months ago, following in the footsteps of her mother Joyful Hunter, who served with the U.S. Air Force.

“I’ve always wanted to be a part of the military ever since I was little,” Erdman said.