Shooting Star

Sooner Soccer Forward Emma Hawkins

“It feels like a new environment,” Hawkins said of her new coach. “And then getting all these goals, it has been a lot of fun.”

“Getting all these goals” is a slight understatement for the senior forward. Hawkins has already surpassed her 2022 season goal and point totals in seven contests. She is also making program history with her ability to find the back of the net.

In an early season win over Murray State, Hawkins scored three unanswered goals over 25 minutes to notch her second hat trick of the year, becoming the first Sooner ever to tally multiple hat tricks in their career and in the same season.

“I just feel like we’re playing better as an attacking front. We’re getting balls crossed in,” Hawkins said. “That’s exactly what I want - my teammates being there and putting great balls in. It really helped me score. So, all credit to them.”

In that same match, Hawkins registered six points which marked the second-most in program history, trailing only her own school record of seven points she set vs. Tulsa earlier this season.

“She’s fast, she’s quick, she’s really tough,” Mott said of Hawkins. “She scored four goals with her headers and jumped over people. She’s a firecracker, good with both feet. She’s all about it and she’s making the most of her last season.”

A product of Forney, Texas, Hawkins fell in love with soccer at a young age. Starting at the young age of 4, she quickly realized how much passion she has to be on the pitch.

“I started soccer at 4, and then I stopped for a little bit to do dance,” Hawkins said. “At about 5 or 6, I realized I really like soccer.”

During her year away from soccer, Hawkins came to the realization that one piece of the family’s DNA was not passed along to her.

“My mom was a dancer and a drill team member and teaches a dance class,” Hawkins said. “But I had no rhythm so thankfully my sister Ally carried the banner on that front.”

Hawkins may lack rhythm on the dance floor, but on the field, she has been completely in tune. With her family supporting her the way they do, the sky is the limit.

“I lived basically my whole life in Forney, Texas and I don’t think they’ve missed a game, maybe like two games my whole life is all they’ve missed,” Hawkins said. “They’re always watching. They’re always supporting me, doing whatever they can.”

Hawkin's passion for soccer continued as she grew older and played more at every level. As she continued to step up in competition, she realized she was just as good as the players she was facing. The possibility of playing college soccer started to become more and more of a reality.

“In high school, I started scoring a lot more goals. We didn’t have the best conference, but I realized ‘oh yeah, I’m a little bit better than some of these girls,” Hawkins said. “Then I started playing in different showcases and I realized I’m just as good as the players there and I really want to go play in college and get my education paid for. I realized I could do this.”

As her high school career wrapped up, the honors had piled up. Hawkins received Offensive Player of the Year for the North Forney Lady Falcons as a freshman in 2016 and Most Valuable Player (an honor shared with fellow junior Shannon Boyle) her sophomore season in 2017. During her senior campaign, she scored 17 goals for the Lady Falcons in her role as an outside midfielder and striker.

Her numbers were impressive, and her skills were strong enough that the college offers were piling up. Hawkins decided to leave Texas to play college soccer in Conway, Arkansas for the University of Central Arkansas.

"My dad was asking me what I really wanted to do. At that moment, I was all about being a PT (physical therapist), and Central Arkansas has a good PT school,” Hawkins said. “So, my dad told me to research them and when I did, I really liked what I saw. I went on a visit, then a camp, and I realized this was the school for me.”

When she stepped on the field at Central Arkansas, Hawkins was immediately making an impact. She broke the school’s single-season record for shot attempts. She also led the ASUN conference in goals, assists and points. Hawkins became the first Central Arkansas Bear to record three ASUN (Atlantic Sun Conference) Player of the Week honors.

But after breaking records and raising the standard during her three seasons at Central Arkansas, Hawkins was ready for a new challenge. She wanted to play in a program that not only faced highly ranked teams but one that could improve her odds of playing professionally.

Although other schools recruited her, Hawkins said she chose OU because “it just stuck out” and because of the championship mindset the whole athletics department fosters.

“The competitiveness and the championship mindset across all the teams is better than I expected,” Hawkins said after committing to Oklahoma. “It’s just fun, it’s a whole new ballgame. I really like the culture here, the competitive nature of all the sports.”

During her first season with the Sooners, Hawkins made an instant impact, just like she has everywhere she has played. She led all Sooners with 13 points and 23 shots on goal and had two game-winning goals. After the end of the 2022 season, Oklahoma decided to make a change at head coach and Hawkins decided to stick it out. With the hiring of Mott, Hawkins would be playing for her third coach in as many seasons. To compound the challenge, Mott had to rework the roster, adding 10 transfers to the Sooner roster. Hawkins had to not only find a way to mesh on the field but also in the locker room with her new teammates while learning a new system.

“It was a bit hard because we didn’t have much time before pre-season,” Hawkins said of the revamped roster coming together quickly. “I met everyone a few days before practice started. We spent most of the time together just building the relationships off the field and that really helped in building the rest.”

Hawkins was challenged to step up even more as a leader.

“It’s hard to be a leader in some ways with me having only been here for a year,” Hawkins said. “But it’s been fun. I’m not a vocal leader at all. So, I just try to lead by example, try to bring energy on the field, and just do what I can to inspire others to do their best. Hopefully, people follow.”

Hawkins has never had a problem scoring, but her style of play may be more impressive than her ability to put the ball in the net.

“She’s impressed us,” Mott said. “She’s strong, fast and feisty. Just overall a great worker”

“That’s my style exactly,” Hawkins confirmed. “I have always been like that, a go-getter who works hard. I try to do my best and strive to make it exciting for people watching. I just throw my body into it and hope something comes out of it.”

In a new era for Oklahoma Women’s Soccer, Hawkins has brought an exciting and inspiring perspective. While scoring at a record pace, she won’t allow herself to be outworked. Despite the constant change, she has stayed consistent in her commitment and energy.

Now it’s time for the fans to match that energy.

“When we have a great crowd, it just really builds on to the excitement of the game,” Hawkins said. “It really gives us energy. It’s just always so much more fun with a lot more people there. It’s so loud and the excitement everyone brings, you won’t leave disappointed.”