WOODBURY — Growing up in the Higgins household is not for everyone. One moment, you’re playing soccer and doing your best to win, and the next you’re studying hard so you can get an A on your next test.

“My life growing up revolved around school and soccer,” said Nick Higgins, a senior at Nonnewaug High School. “I had practice and games almost every day throughout the week and on the days I didn’t, I was at school focusing on getting good grades.”

Soccer and school were the only things on Higgins’ mind throughout his middle school and high school years. His favorite memory in middle school was “being one of the three sixth-graders to make the soccer team in middle school,” said Higgins.

Higgins has ambitions to follow in his parents’ and sister’s footsteps and be the next person in the family to attend the University of Connecticut. With these high goals, it is easy to see why he works so hard and demands so much of himself.

With his sister joining UConn two years ago, there is a lot of added pressure on him to be able to reach those heights.  

“I feel that Mia going to UConn really puts the ball in my court,” Higgins said. “It makes me excited that I have the possibility to go there and complete the family circle.”

Higgins thrives under pressure, as seen during his senior soccer season. He was the captain of the Nonnewaug boys soccer team and managed to score 12 goals while also providing multiple assists. He also got a spot on the All-Berkshire League second team. His coach, Toby Denman, and many of his teammates recognized Higgins as a strong leader and a great person.

“He’s the kind of guy you want to have around,” Denman said. “You know, he’ll work hard in anything you’re doing. [He’s] positive vocally, but also heightens the level of competition because every drill we’re doing. He wants to win, sometimes to the point of, which was our topic of discussion this year, ‘If you’re not cheating you’re not trying.’ He sees it as so important to him that he will do anything to win.”

Senior teammate Carson Buck raved about Higgins.

“Nick was a great teammate and always made it fun to be on the team,” Buck said. “Even in practice when things aren’t as competitive, he was able to push us to be our best.”