Hayes Scores Celtic’s First-Ever Women’s Champions League Goal

By Datti Jinkiri

The best women’s soccer players play in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, which is the premier women’s club soccer competition in the world. Former Mississippi College women’s soccer standout Caitlin Hayes made her mark in that tournament last Wednesday, scoring a free kick goal in Celtic FC Women’s 2-1 loss to Levante FC of Spain. Hayes’ goal was the Scotland-based team’s first ever Women’s Champions League goal.

“To score a goal in any team is a special moment. I can’t say I’ve ever felt an emotion like the one I do when I score for Celtic,” Hayes said.

“If you’d have told me that I’d score Celtic’s first-ever goal in the Champions League and make history, I’d have probably laughed. But to sum up, such an honor is simply ineffable.”

On Saturday, the Warrington, England native added an extra-time goal in Celtic’s 3-2 loss to FC Minsk. Though her team will be exiting the tournament with two losses, Hayes was still Celtic’s top scorer.

Hayes, who is a mainstay in the team’s lineup, is currently in her second season with the team. She played a vital role in helping the team secure a second-place finish in the 2020-21 Scottish Women’s Premier League and qualify for the Women’s Champions League for the first time.

This isn’t Hayes’ first time to play in the Women’s Champions League. She played for Barcelona FA of Cyprus in the 2018-19 edition, scoring twice in a 6-0 win over Olimpija Ljubljana in that tournament.

Hayes finished her Lady Choctaw career as one of the best players in school history. She started 63 matches in four seasons, tallying an impressive 20 goals and eight assists in the process. She was a United Soccer Coaches Division II All-American in 2017, as well as a two-time All-GSC selection and  two-time All-South Region selection. Hayes also helped the Lady Choctaws finish as runners-up in the 2015 NCCAA Division I National Championship and win a share of the 2017 GSC Regular Season Championship.