The Howland Tigers proudly announce that senior Taylor Fairchild, a four-year letter winner and standout varsity goalkeeper, has committed to continue her academic and athletic career at Lake Erie College. A 1st Team All-District and 1st Team All-Conference honoree, Taylor has built a legacy defined by resilience, leadership, and excellence.

From the moment she stepped onto the field as a freshman, Taylor set her sights on earning a varsity roster spot—an ambitious goal she achieved by embracing the demanding role of goalkeeper. She quickly developed from a rookie into a poised, reliable presence in net, finishing her freshman campaign with a remarkable 0.9 goals-against average and helping secure Howland’s first All American Conference Championship in a decade.

Taylor’s journey is a testament to true grit. After tearing her ACL following her freshman season—and later tearing the other ACL after her sophomore year—she fought back each time, returning ahead of schedule with unwavering determination. Her perseverance fueled the Tigers to another AAC Championship as a junior, highlighted by a perfect 8-0-0 conference record and a school record-tying 16 wins.

As a senior, Taylor served as one of three team captains, guiding a young squad to its fifth straight double-digit win season while recording nine shutouts. She graduates as Howland’s all-time shutout leader with 31 career shutouts, earning a place in the OHSAA record books.

“Taylor has been the embodiment of resilience and commitment for our program,” said Head Coach Greg Mitchell. “Her leadership, work ethic, and competitive drive elevated everyone around her. Coaching her has been a privilege.”

The Howland community celebrates Taylor’s outstanding achievements and looks forward to cheering her on as she continues her soccer journey at Lake Erie College. We wish her every success in this exciting next chapter.