Maddy Campbell: From Bonney Lake’s Midfield to Eastern Washington

Meet Maddy Campbell, a senior center midfielder for Bonney Lake soccer who has spent the better part of her life on the field and is about to take that career to the next level.

Campbell started playing soccer at 3 years old, and 14 years later, the game is still where she feels most like herself.

“I fell in love with it because it gave me a way to channel my competitiveness into a team sport, where I have met my best friends,” Campbell said. “I love being able to show my personality through my play and I have continued to love playing the sport, even after 14 years!”

Over the years, Campbell has played almost every position on the field, with one exception.

“I have played almost every position, except for goalkeeper, but I found my spot at center mid because I love being on the ball, and that position definitely gives me the opportunity to do that,” she said. 

That love for controlling the game from the middle of the park has turned into a captain’s role on both sides of her soccer life, leading Washington Premier FC’s ECNL squad and Bonney Lake’s varsity team.

Committing to Eastern Washington

In May 2026, Campbell made it official, committing to play soccer at Eastern Washington University.

The decision came together after an official visit to campus in April, where she got a firsthand look at the program she’d be joining.

“In April I went on my official visit where I got to meet the coaches, team and tour the campus,” Campbell said. “The coaching staff immediately made me feel at home, and the minute I met the team, and saw their chemistry and personality, I knew I would fit in. I took my time on the decision, but I know I made the right choice for sure!”

Proximity to home played a role too, along with Eastern’s standing in a competitive conference.

“It stood out for its proximity to home and how it continuously ranks high in the Big Sky, providing me with a competitive team,” she said.

While she hasn’t locked in a major yet, Campbell already has an idea of where she wants her education to take her.

“I am still undecided but I am interested in studying exercise science to go into a career for PT or an Athletic Trainer,” she said.

A Résumé Years in the Making

Campbell’s commitment didn’t come out of nowhere. She’s picked up All-League honors in back-to-back seasons and was recently named to the ECNL’s Northwest Conference First Team, on top of an invitation to the Continental Tire ECNL National Selection Game, a national showcase reserved for some of the top players in the country.

For Campbell, that kind of recognition is less about the spotlight and more about validation.

“The recognition helps me understand that all the hard work I do, actually pays off,” she said. “It gives me a sense of accomplishment and motivates me to work harder. When playing in the ECNL national selection game, my teammates’ support made me really see how lucky I am for such an amazing team.”

Leading by Example

As a senior captain, Campbell has had to figure out what kind of leader she wants to be, and she’s landed on leading with encouragement rather than pressure.

“I feel the best way to lead a group is to be supportive,” she said. “I definitely struggle sometimes with staying positive, but it helps to remember that I wouldn’t want someone yelling at me, so I try to stay positive and hype up my team as much as I can, especially as a senior for high school.”

That mindset is showing up in how the Panthers are playing this fall.

“I think the team is the strongest it has been and will be able to compete against some of the bigger schools this year,” Campbell said. “We’ve started the season very strong, so I’m excited to see where we go. My main goal this year is honestly just to embrace the fact it’s my senior season and enjoy it!”

The Person Behind the Player

Away from the field, Campbell keeps things simple, splitting her time between friends, schoolwork, and one specific hobby.

“Outside of soccer, I really enjoy hanging with friends and I spend a lot of my time doing schoolwork,” she said. “I also love doing nails!”

And if fans want to know the one thing that doesn’t show up on a stat sheet, Campbell says it’s her adventurous streak at the dinner table.

“Something that the crowd probably doesn’t know about me is that I love eating new foods and getting to try new restaurants,” she said.

From a 3-year-old chasing a ball for the first time to a Division I commit anchoring the midfield for a Panthers team that’s off to a strong start, Campbell’s journey is a reminder of what nearly 15 years of loving a sport can build. Bonney Lake will get to watch her finish that story out this season, before she takes her game, and her leadership, to Cheney next fall.