FAYETTEVILLE -- Ellie Breden grew up an Arkansas fan, calling the Hogs as far back as she can remember.
But being raised in Fayetteville, never did she imagine that she would one day be wearing an Arkansas uniform and be on the receiving end of those Hog Calls.
"I had always thought it would be great to go the University of Arkansas, but I never really considered playing a sport in college," the 2015 Fayetteville grad said. "Then this opportunity came up my senior year, so I decided to go for it."
Now, as a senior defender for the flourishing 8-2-2 Razorbacks soccer team, Breden admits that playing her final season is somewhat "bittersweet."
"This experience has been life-changing, just to be able to see what you can accomplish with the opportunities that are in front of you," said Breden, a marketing major and a member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll. "But this being my last year is a little scary.
"I know the real world is hard, and I'm not ready for it," she said with a laugh. "But with the support around me -- my family and my team -- I know I will be ready for whatever is to come."
The 5-foot-9 Breden was a three-sport standout at Fayetteville, playing soccer, volleyball and basketball. She was a member of a state championship volleyball team and made it to the state finals in soccer, where she got her first experience playing on Razorback Field.
"I really loved all three sports, but I wasn't really the right height for the other two," she chuckled. "And soccer was probably my best sport at the time. Not to mention, it would just be hard to play more than one sport at such a high level."
A two-time all-state performer on the pitch, Breden received academic scholarships her freshman year at Arkansas and was a walk-on to the Razorback soccer team. With hard work and a desire to get better every day, she played in nine games her first season and was rewarded with a soccer scholarship prior to her sophomore year.
"I think it just showed the hard work I had put in, so it was exciting to be rewarded," she said. "I have always concentrated on fitness and making sure I was in shape to benefit the team the best that I could. I have a role of just going in and helping the team in different situations. When I'm called upon, I just go in and try to play smart soccer and give it my all for the team."
Breden played in eight games her sophomore year, then 14 games as a junior last year, starting in two. She has played in six games this season for Arkansas, who has jumped out to a 3-1 mark in the SEC. The Razorbacks host LSU tonight at 6:30 p.m., with a chance to move into a tie for first place in the conference.
"Ellie's played some big, big roles, especially in our (3-2) win against Baylor, who is No. 9 in the country right now," Coach Colby Hale said. "She played like 50 or 60 minutes in a position she hadn't played before. She performed admirably, and I thought she was the difference maker in that game.
"Ellie is just wonderful, all around. She's a good player, she's a good athlete, she's a great representative of our program, and she embodies everything that we want to be about."
Now in his seventh year at Arkansas, Hale said it's vital to have players in the program from within the state, if they are good enough to contribute. Breden and Bryant's Caroline Campbell are the two lone players on this year's roster from the Natural State.
"They are both important members of our team," Hale said. "First of all, they are good enough to help us win, and that's the most important thing. We want the best players in the state."
Campbell, a 5-foot-3 forward, was the 2015-16 USA Today Gatorade Arkansas Girls Player of the Year at Bryant, and led the Hornets to the 2015 7A state championship -- which was won on Razorback Field.
A transplant from Minnesota prior to her freshman year at Bryant, Campbell began kicking a ball at age 3, and parlayed that into a soccer scholarship at Arkansas.
"I love this school," Campbell said. "The fans here are amazing. The atmosphere is amazing. To be able to come to the university and play at the D-I level is a huge opportunity.
"I knew that I wanted to come to the University of Arkansas academically. I spoke with Coach Hale my senior year (at Bryant) to see if there was an opportunity for me. He said yes, and I was super excited."
She logged 338 minutes in 12 games as a freshman last season but has been hampered by injuries to begin this season. She hopes to return soon to give the team an added boost on offense.
"She is a 4.0 (GPA) engineering student, a good little player and could not have a better work ethic," Hale said. "What else can I say? She is, and will continue to be, a huge part of our program.
"Both, Ellie and Caroline will definitely continue to help us on the field, as well as off of it."
Breden has the benefit of growing up just five minutes from campus, which allows her to remain close to her parents, Callie and Mark, who attended every game, home and away.
"I've had my family and friends so close by, and they've been able to support me all four of these years," Breden said. "They are here to cheer me on every game and have just been able to help me build as a player and as a person.
"This entire experience of being a Razorback has been so inspirational for me. I feel very fortunate, and now hope to inspire others be showing that hard work pays off."
Campbell would eventually like to be an engineer or pharmacist, but also has plans to stay involved with soccer after her playing days, with a desire to coach younger players.
"My coaches have given so much to me, so I want to pass that on and give back to the younger kids," she said.
Her parents, Heidi and Greg, drive up for all home games and make some of the road trips. She admitted leaving home was a bit difficult at first, but being part of this team and meeting new friends has made her experience in Fayetteville "beyond special."
"I can't even put it into words. It's just been an incredible experience."
Sports on 10/04/2018