Jimmy with his parents, Randall and Brenda Slayton, along with Athletic Director Michael Maltese and Coach Rob Jachym.
Two Wethersfield Goalies Sign Letters of Intent
WETHERSFIELD - Jimmy Slayton and Summer Budaj have become synonymous with protecting the soccer nets at Wethersfield High School. The two seniors will be graduating this June and taking their goaltending talents to the next level.

       Slayton will stay local and play for the University of Hartford. He is a three-year varsity goalkeeper for the Eagles who helped lead the school to their second straight CCC Divisional Championship and reached the CIAC Class L Finals this past fall. He earned All-CCC honors in 2013, 2014 and 2015, All-State accolades in 2014 and 2015 and All-New England Status in 2015. During his senior season he anchored a defense that recorded 16 shutouts (a school record). He was also named the NSCAA Connecticut Player of the Year and to the United States All-American Soccer Team.

       â€"I chose UHart because of the coaching staff, they did a great job recruiting me and they run a great program. It was definitely the right fit for me with the staff they have. The business school is also strong, which helped because I want to go into business,” said Slayton, who will join 2012 Wethersfield graduate Matt Barry, who is entering his senior season with the Hawks. â€"Being 20 or so minutes away from home also was big for me. I want my family to be able to come out and see me. Wethersfield is the place that makes me who I am and I don’t want to drift too far away either.”

       Budaj will be heading southwest to play at Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Miss. She was a four-year starting goalkeeper where she helped lead the Eagles to four straight CIAC postseasons. She was selected to the CCC All-Conference Team in 2013, 2014 and 2015 while also being selected to the CHSCA All-State Team during both her junior and senior seasons. For her career, Budaj recorded 29 shutouts.

       â€"I was looking for a college that suited me academically and athletically and it was hard to find a balance with both. When my mom and I went out for a visit to Missouri Valley the coaches were great and they made sure everything in admissions was taken care of and set me up to meet with a biology professor,” said Budaj, who plans to major in animal science with a minor in biology. â€"My personality fit very well with their coaching staff and the players I got to meet when I was there.”

       She will be joining a very successful program that is led by veteran head coach Drew Dawkins, who is a former player and graduate of the college, and assistant coach Melanie Prudhomme.

       â€"We are excited to add Summer Budaj to our 2016 signing class. She is a powerful and athletic young goalkeeper. Summer is fearless in the box and has a strong presence. She has played at a high level and we expect her to do the same for us,” her new coaches wrote.

       Both humble student athletes credit their family, friends and coaches for getting them to this point.

       Slayton credited his entire family. â€"They have always brought me to and from practices and games. They’ve always been my biggest fans.”

       He also credited Wethersfield soccer coach Rob Jachym, who has been helping him develop his technique and abilities since the age of 10, and the entire coaching staff at FSA, which is a club team that he played with for eight years.

       Budaj added, â€"It’s been hard having three different varsity coaches in four seasons, but some people that have helped me get to this point for soccer would be my parents. They both have a great soccer knowledge. My dad stopped coaching high school soccer so he could get to all my high school games, so that meant a lot to me. Their sports knowledge has helped me to be a better player and a better leader for my teammates.”

       Together they created many memorable moments at Wethersfield, but they each have a season that stood above the rest.

       â€"My entire senior season is one of my greatest memories. The team chemistry made countless memories on and off the field,” said Slayton. â€"Every aspect was something I dreamed about. We beat Glastonbury to win the CCC Tourney, we broke the shutout record, and we got to the state championship.”

       Budaj fondly remembers her junior season.

       â€"We had a great season as a team and making it to the semi-finals was something that Wethersfield girls soccer hadn’t done in 10-plus years. It was a great team accomplishment to be able to get to that stage. The postseason leading up to that game was great with a first round bye and two home tournament games. It couldn’t have been better.”

       Both share a passion for the game of soccer, excelling at one of the most unique positions in organized sports.

       â€"Goalkeeping is just something I love. I feel like my personality suits the position, as I have to communicate a lot and I enjoy being the final defender and having pressure on me,” said Slayton. â€"I always want to rise to the occasion and I feel like in goalkeeping I am able to do that.”

       â€"What I like most about being a goalie is that you can see the whole field and there’s a lot of communication that comes with the position,” added Budaj. â€"I’m not afraid of contact with opponents so I love coming out on a breakaway and being able to come away with the ball.”

       Come next fall, the two will be missed at Wethersfield, but they are ready to tackle the next chapters of their lives.

       â€"The future excites me because it’s been my goal to be a Division 1 soccer player my whole life. I’ve put in the work to get where I am today and it’s the next step in the journey,” said Slayton. â€"It’s a new challenge where I’ll have to fight for a job and compete at a level I’ve never been at before.”

       â€"I’m excited to play at the next level because I love to challenge myself and push myself to be a better competitor,” said Budaj, who is a die hard fan of the Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos. â€"I’m looking forward to the challenge of playing soccer at the college level.”
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