Photo Credits: University of Alabama Athletics

 

Royals AZ’s Larkin Thomason Makes Her Mark in
WPSL Desert Conference

Written By: Jennifer Ellis

 

Larkin Thomason wrapped up her second season in the Women’s Premier Soccer League this summer, leading Royals AZ in goals and tying for most goals scored in the Desert Conference. Thomason found the net 11 times, showcasing her finishing ability throughout the season.
 

At just 19 years old, Thomason’s impact has been hard to miss. Her scoring helped Royals AZ to a 6-1-1 record and the top spot in the conference standings—a strong showing for the club and an impressive accomplishment for a young striker only about midway through her college career.
 

“Confidence is a big thing as a forward because, you're gonna mess up probably the most out of anybody on that field, but you have to have the confidence to go again.” Thomason said. “And it’s about having a goldfish memory. Goldfish only really remember 30 seconds, and then their brain is wiped. So it's forgetting those mistakes and being confident to do the same thing again. I think that's very important."

 

Beyond the summer months, Thomason’s college journey thus far has been marked by ambition and results. Originally from Arizona, she started her freshman fall at Mercer University at just 17 years old—a testament to her maturity and drive.

 

“My recruiting process was unique to me,” Thomason said. “I think a big thing about me when I was going through it was I didn't want to stay in Arizona…I wanted to have the experience of something new and I also wanted somewhere where I could go in and play immediately. I heard too many stories of people sitting on the bench their freshman year and I really didn't want that to be me.”
 

Thomason didn’t just earn minutes early on—she excelled. Despite only starting two games her freshman season in 2023, she scored 11 goals. She followed it up with 16 goals as a sophomore, starting all but one match last fall.
 

During those two seasons, she was named SoCon Player of the Year in 2024, made the All-Tournament team, and secured first-team All-Conference honors. Still, she wasn’t satisfied. Thomason wanted to push herself further and test her game on a bigger stage, which led to her to transfer to the University of Alabama this past December.
 

“I loved my teammates, I love the players they have, but I wanted something more competitive,” Thomason said. “I wanted the opportunity that if I had the same success at a different school; could I have a better chance of going pro from there? So I finally made a decision to transfer and my head coach, Tony, at Mercer was great. The first little bit he did try to convince me to stay, but then after that he was like, ‘where do you want to go and how can I help you?’”

 

Adapting to a bigger program brings its own challenges, but Thomason credits the support from Tony Economopoulos at Mercer and Alabama’s staff and players with making the transition easier.

“Being in a bigger school, having transfers is a lot more common than at a smaller school. I came in with two other transfers here so we all had similar experiences. It was nice to get to know them, as well as getting to know the other girls. The other girls were super, super welcoming. Wes and Mike, two of my coaches here, have been so great. They are constantly checking in on you.”
 

Balancing life as a student-athlete in a demanding conference like the SEC requires sacrifice and discipline—something Thomason has embraced in her new position.
 

“Being a student-athlete, it's a great title, but there are challenges that come with it,” Thomason said. “You hear of regular college students—they're going out every weekend in the fall and doing things like that—and that's great, but that's not the same life that I live. We travel a lot. You're missing a lot of classes at all times. You try to manage your time well. There are people that are here to help you and you just have to want their help. And that's sometimes the hard part for people.”
 

At such a young age, succeeding in highly competitive environments isn’t easy. While some may see age as a disadvantage to overcome, Thomason views it as a strength. She credits her competitive mindset and drive to succeed for helping her match up against opponents and teammates with more years and experience. 
 

    

“I'm full of energy. I'm full of a ‘let's do it’ type of mentality. I think the younger players are there to push the older players. Just because you're a senior, just because you're a junior, doesn't mean your spot is guaranteed. But it's healthy competition and I think that's a good part of me that came to college is like, ‘I want to see what I can do’. I mean I’m not necessarily gonna beat them out as a freshman, but I want to make them better, to make our team better.”
 

That same mindset fuels the WPSL’s summer competition. Facing high-caliber opponents is one of the most effective ways to raise the level of play. In the NCAA, many top players are spread across different schools, conferences and regions. But, during the summer, the WPSL brings those players together, turning teammates into opponents and rivals into teammates.
 

The league has become a key meeting ground for top collegiate talent to test themselves against their peers, regardless of school or conference affiliation.

 

“There's SEC girls, there's ACC girls in the WPSL. There's some Big 12 girls. I think those players are what make all those power conferences good, so having them come back to our teams and our rival teams just makes the league better,” Thomason said. “Just the way you train day in, day out in college—you're bringing those habits back to your summer league team. Because we do have some girls that are about to enter their freshman season, it's kind of like you're being a role model and just being like, ‘hey, this is what you got to do. This is how you'll succeed.’ Or at least, ‘these are some things you might want to add to your repertoire.’”
 

The WPSL’s eight week season is also a place where fierce competition on the field can coexist with friendship and respect off of it.
 

“There's multiple girls on my team and in our area that are in the SEC that we're going to have to go against. And there's going to be rivalries there. But at the end of the day, the soccer part of me and then the person side of me are two different people. I'm going to be competitive. Who knows? I may yell at someone on the field, but when we get off the field, you've got to have that friendliness about you. You have to have that personable side,” said Thomason.
 

That healthy rivalry was on full display this summer as Thomason traded goals with rival team, SC del Sol’s Farrah Walters, both finishing at the top of the Desert Conference scoring chart.

 

“Outside of our individual teams, me and Farrah, I've known her forever. She's great,” Thomason said. “But, everyone wants to see their name at the top of that list. And just continuing that competitive drive, it's helping me because I'm competitive in the spring, I'm competitive in the fall, and so there's no reason to not be competitive in the summer. At some point it doesn't become a thought of competitiveness, it becomes a habit and I think that's very important, to be the best at everything you do.” 

 

Royals AZ will not field a team in the postseason, but Thomason led the team to Team of the Week honors in Matchweek Four and its first Desert Conference Title. Individually, Thomason was named to the Desert Conference Best XI during the end-of-season Best of the WPSL Awards.

 Despite this WPSL chapter closing, Thomason remains focused on her goals—balancing short-term improvements with long-term dreams of playing at the highest level.

 

“I do want to play professionally, whether that's in the US or abroad. But I think I'm more concerned about my short-term goals: having the same success I had at Mercer here at Alabama, so I can make those professional goals more of a reality. I mean I always have a goal of scoring. I've had a trend so far my freshman and sophomore year going up, so I'd like to continue that if possible. But if I can't score as many as I have in the past, then I'd like to up my assists. If I can't create for myself, I'd like to create for others.”

As she continues her journey on and off the field, Thomason’s drive and competitive spirit promise to keep her name as one to watch in seasons ahead.