Paige Cargill, a 2025 graduate of BFA-Fairfax High School, spent all four years of her varsity high school career contributing diligently and effectively on the field. She was known for her talent, speed, and focus on the field, but also for her leadership and kindness.
After graduation, Cargill enrolled at Vermont State University at Castleton, where she is studying elementary education and playing soccer for the Spartans.
Q&A Paige Cargill
Why did you choose to attend Vermont State University Castleton? During the journey of looking at a bunch of schools and reaching out to a bunch of coaches, I focused on D3 and D2 schools. I wanted to play, not sit on the bench. I was happy to work toward playing time, of course. I loved the team dynamic here, especially coming from a small high school. I also wanted good coaches and relationships, and I didn’t want to leave Vermont. I love the community aspect of Vermont. The Castleton community reminds me of home. My grandparents both attended Johnson for their education, so it was nice to carry on my family’s legacy through a Vermont school.
What was your biggest surprise when you started playing college soccer? I would say how past faced and physical it is compared to high school. The experience of playing club soccer prepared me for college and was probably the biggest piece. I remember playing against SUNY Plattsburgh. I started that game, and I’m sure I haven’t been more tired in my life. I played the full 90 minutes, but it was also so much fun. It was a lot more fun than high school soccer in that sense. I like the speed and physicality. It makes me want to work harder.
What position did you play this season? I played centerback for three years in high school, and then Dom Caforia, my high school coach, moved me to center mid. I played as an attacking midfielder this past season. It’s a lot different and a lot quicker. You have to be a lot more controlled; you’re passing and seeing the field more. You have to make quicker decisions, especially because you often don’t have time to think. That was challenging for me as a freshman, but I learned and did well.
What did you enjoy about playing for your college coaches? Chap (Chris Chapdelaine), Ray Nichols, and Amaya Rogers, but especially Chap, reminded me a lot of Stan Williams, my club coach. He’s a good all-around person, and that was so big for me. I don’t want a coach who screams at me, and he’s the opposite of that. He’s so laid back and helpful. I really enjoyed that. The two assistant coaches were also super nice and very attentive. It’s always about you as a person before you as an athlete, and that stuck out to me about them. College is stressful, and it’s good to have coaches who care about you as a person, not just as a player. They make it possible to manage everything. I’m so happy I chose where I did.
Do you have a memorable moment from the season? When I played against my BFA-Fairfax teammate Marianna Merritt, that was so memorable because it connected me back to Fairfax. It was crazy to play each other on different teams. When we played U-Mass Dartmouth, it was one of our best games of the season. We won, which was memorable. It was a conference game, which was a big deal, and we knew we were the underdogs. We put everything out there, despite our doubts, and we played so well with each other. It was a great game. Having that conference win under our belt felt really good. It’s not about goals for me, but when I scored my first college goal and assist, that was memorable.
What have you enjoyed about playing with Mikayla Chagnon, a former opponent from Franklin County? It’s really nice, and I wouldn’t change a thing. I have a friend now, and we have fun talking about playing in our high school years. We’re in the same major and in the same classes.
It’s funny, too, that we have these fun memories and make comments about things that happened in high school games. She’s fun! A lot of people don’t have those connections, so I’m grateful to have them.
What have you found to be difficult with the transition to college? The transition was hard for me; I wanted to quit, but I didn’t. Once soccer season started, it got better. I think it’s important for people to hear that and know that the transition can be hard. The soccer season was positive, but I struggled with being away from home. It’s a cliché, but I really missed my family. I enjoy being with them and with my dogs. I’m someone who gets up early and goes to bed early, and I don’t party or stay out late. I’m so happy I have a great roommate. I had to get comfortable with telling myself it was okay to be who I am. It was also hard not playing soccer all year round, so I have a lot of time. I like to be busy.
What are your goals for your sophomore year as a player? My personal goal is to get physically stronger. I’m more of an athletic build than a bulky one, and I. I want to work on my confidence, and I felt that as a freshman. I was a leader on my high school team, and when I came to college, I was a little more timid. I want to work on the mental stuff—overcoming mistakes. Our senior midfielder is graduating. I will be the only starter there as a returner. My goal is to become a leader, and I’m working to take on more of that leadership role on the field and on the sidelines. I’d like to become a leader and a captain.
As a team goal, I look forward to seeing us grow as technical players. We’re a strong, physical team, but we could grow in our confidence in the basics. I’ve done a thousand touches a day for years, and as a team, we could make sure we were getting 20 minutes of soccer in every day. That would really help us improve individually and as a team. I’m hoping to see us grow in that in the spring. It’s not hard to do, you just need to find the motivation. I’ve been playing soccer every day for as long as I can remember—using a ball, a wall, and two cones. The basics make a good player.
What do you love about the game of soccer? I love the competitiveness. It’s something I’ve done my whole life and can’t imagine life without it. I love the team sport aspect and how it brings people together. When I was a very young child, playing at five, I played with all the people I grew up with through high school. And that’s why I love the game. The people make the game for me. That’s why I chose Castleton. I want to win, obviously, but I love the people.
The people I grew up with helped me love the sport; it’s what made me love the game. I hope to continue finding that through college. The people matter most to me, and getting to play with them helps grow those relationships. Soccer is a selfless game; it takes everyone to win. If you don’t have that bond, you won’t succeed. I’ve had that bond in high school and in club. Going to practices and seeing teammates—having those inside jokes and competing. It’s all about the team and the people.
What would you say to high school athletes? Don’t take high school sports for granted! I know I did, and I admit it. We had such a good bond, and that will never be replaced. I played with the seniors for 10 years. I’m so glad I stayed there to play varsity soccer. It’s a great community and a great town, and I had great teachers, coaches, and friends.
Do you have any wise words for young athletes? There are so many! Work hard. That’s so cliche, but it’s what you have to do. It’s all about your work on your own, especially, which makes you an impactful player, regardless of the sport. That also makes you a leader—you have to put in the time. You also have to be an unselfish player. In a team sport, you need selflessness, drive, and motivation. When you do that, you’ll be separated from others. Time, effort, and hard work are the biggest qualities that help athletes make varsity and college teams.
It takes a lot to get up every day, go to the gym, run, and practice, but I do it because I know it’s helped shape me into the person and player I am. You also need to love the sport. It takes a lot, but I’m so happy to have soccer, and it’s taught me so many lessons.
Thank-yous: I’d like to thank my parents, Hannah and Ben, and my brother, Hunter. My parents only missed one college game, and seeing them after helped me get through. I also thank my retired club coach, Stan Williams, and Dom Caforia, my high school coach.
