Get to Know OL Reign Forward Leah Pruitt
Like most people, OL Reign forward Leah Pruitt’s 2020 has not shaken out exactly the way she anticipated. Still, Pruitt is looking forward to the possibility of making her club debut in the NWSL Fall Series after months away from the game she loves.
The 22-year-old was home in California when the news came that the North Carolina Courage, who had selected her with the fifth overall pick in the 2019 NWSL College Draft, were waiving her. Her rookie season, which saw her score two goals and add an assist in 557 minutes of play, was derailed by a knee injury that sidelined her for the final two months, including the Courage’s triumph in the NWSL Championship.
OL Reign didn’t wait to secure Pruitt, announcing her signing four days after she was waived, while simultaneously placing her on the 45-day disabled list and leaving her off of their NWSL Challenge Cup roster.
The move helped restore Pruitt’s spirits during a stressful time.
“Personally, since I was going through an injury, it was hard in the beginning,” Pruitt said. “Once I got dropped from (North Carolina) and got picked up by OL Reign, it was super exciting. It sparked my fire to come up here and be a part of this club. Watching them play in the Challenge Cup, I was thinking ‘this is going to be so fun when I can play soccer again and be back with the team.’
“When they reached out and told me that there might be a continuation of the season, I was ecstatic. I just want to get back out on the field. It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions, but I’m on top right now and I’m really excited to be training again.”
Due to roster restrictions at the Challenge Cup, Pruitt found herself recovering from her injury at home, while watching her new teammates play at the Challenge Cup—many of whom she hadn’t met.
“I thought it was pretty cool to be able to cheer on a new team and have new faces to get to know,” Pruitt said. “To know that they were going to be my teammates and watch them before I joined up with the team was pretty cool. I was buying OL Reign gear to wear already during the tournament.”
The time away from the pitch also gave Pruitt time to focus on how much soccer means to her.
“With my injury, it gave me time to reflect on how soccer was where I found most of my happiness,” Pruitt said. “It made me really miss the game. I’m so thankful and blessed that we have the NWSL to play in to continue our professional careers and do what we love. It’s really opened my eyes to how grateful I am to be able to keep playing and to stay healthy and keep pursuing my passion.”
Pruitt, who lived her entire life in California, says the cross-country move away from family for her rookie season with North Carolina was a big adjustment. Off the back of a 12-goal, nine-assist senior season at USC that saw her earn All-Pac 12 First Team honors, Pruitt’s injury kept her from fully adjusting to the professional game.
Now, she’s glad for a fresh start with OL Reign.
“They’re all really welcoming,” Pruitt said of her new teammates. “I’m already making a lot of great friends. I’m happy every day that we’re out there. It’s been great just getting touches in what’s been a welcoming environment.”
Describing herself as 90 percent of the way back to full fitness, Pruitt hopes to help liven up head coach Farid Benstiti’s attack.
“I think I could fit in and be a good attacking threat with this team,” Pruitt said. “They play really good soccer and I’m excited to see how I can fit in. Right now, I’m just excited to bring my own game to this team and help out in any way that I can.”
Pruitt also looks forward to getting to know the club’s fans and the community around the club as best she can.
“I’m loving it right now. It’s been warm and beautiful. We stay in super nice apartments right on the water, so it’s been terrific. I’m so happy to be back on the west coast. I have some family out here, so it’s great. I’m really enjoying it so far.
“(Not being able to play in front of fans is) another hurdle to deal with, but I would say that having fans and young girls and boys look up to you is a big part of the joy I take as a pro. I enjoy trying to be a role model. It’s definitely going to be weird not playing in front of those fans, but I know we’ll get through it and that they’ll still be watching. We all have to keep grinding through this weird time.”