Maryland Athletics 2021 Hall of Fame Spotlight: Erin Taylor Blount

Erin Taylor spent most of her career roaming the Maryland backline, ensuring that nobody enjoyed playing against Maryland. 

Whether it was clearing the ball away, stoning a defender, or even stepping and scoring goals when called upon, Taylor epitomized what it meant to be a defensive sweeper.

A three-time United Soccer Coaches All-Region honoree (1994-96), three-time All-ACC selection (1994-96), two-time All-ACC Tournament choice (1994-95), and 2006 ACC Player of the Year, Taylor cemented herself as not just one of the greatest soccer players in school history, but a player worthy of the Hall of Fame. 

“It’s an honor,” Taylor said of her Hall of Fame induction. “To not only be considered one of the best women’s soccer players but to be considered worthy of being called one of the best athletes, period, that’s amazing. It’s a validation of all the hard work and sacrifices it takes.”

Taylor credits her mother and father, both of whom are still alive, for her success on the pitch. They nurtured her gifts from a young age and allowed her to make the choices that would dictate her life’s path.

All of that led Taylor to College Park, where after her redshirt year, she stepped into the starting lineup and never looked back.

The star defender has always been a player who didn’t crave the spotlight and always highlighted her teammates.

The game that epitomized Taylor’s leadership skills came in a 1994 contest against Southern Methodist University. The Mustangs opened up a staggering 4-0 lead against the Terps, and when everyone was at their lowest, Taylor refused to let them quit.

She told her teammates that they were going to win that game and they just needed to believe it before they went out did it.

Taylor’s words got through as the Terps reeled off five straight goals and stunned the Mustangs to win 5-4. That game was a microcosm of Taylor’s career as she was the quintessential leader that the team needed. 

“I always tried to lead by example, but sometimes you have to speak up,” Taylor said. “That game was so funny in hindsight because I don’t know if I actually thought we were going to win. I just wanted us to compete for the whole game and just let the result be what it was. Winning that game said a lot about who we were and about where the program was going.”

With how special her time in College Park was, it was far from a sure thing when she was a recruit. 

Having not grown up in the age of social media, Taylor had to rely on word of mouth for her recruiting journeys. The Florida native toured several different schools and wasn’t sure if Maryland was the right place for her. 

It was only until the culture at Maryland won her over, with several of her future teammates being friends of hers from their time playing youth soccer together. 

Being a Terp ended up being one of the best decisions of Taylor’s life as she is now going into the Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame, where she will now be celebrated with her name and photo on the Xfinity Center walls for fans to see for years to come. 

“I actually have never been to the XFINITY Center, so I am very excited to go finally,” Taylor said. “When I see my photo on the wall with my name on it, I don’t know how I’ll feel. I just wish there could be an entire team photo of my teams up there. They’re the reason I’m a Hall of Famer.”

After her time in College Park, Taylor moved onto the international circuit as she was a U.S. Women’s National Team pool player in 1997, before going back to the college ranks and becoming an assistant women's soccer coach at Ohio State University from 1998-2001.

Since then, Taylor has adopted the super-mom lifestyle as she and her husband raise their three children together, with Taylor even coaching them in soccer. 

“My kids are probably even more excited about me going into the Hall of Fame than I am,” Taylor said. “It might even help when I’m coaching them like ‘See, I know what I’m talking about!’”

When Taylor started out playing soccer, she didn’t do it because she wanted fame, accolades, or even a spot in the Hall of Fame. She just loved playing the game and letting that love take her as far as it could go. 

Now years removed from her playing career, Taylor can reflect on what is undoubtedly one of the most outstanding soccer careers in Maryland Athletics history.

“It’s so hard to put it into words,” she said. “I never expected it, and I don’t know if it will ever feel real. I don’t like to think of myself as a player like that but for the school and the athletic department to think I’m worthy of this truly is an honor.”