College Soccer

Danville's Samantha Sadidge and Boyle County's Chelsea Gill and Hannah Harris recently signed to play college soccer at Campbellsville University.

East Jessamine senior Josiah Clements made his college choice last month by signing with the University of Pikeville. He will play soccer for the Bears. “I'm so proud of him. I'm real happy that he's found a home at Pikeville ... I'm glad that he's pursuing his dream of playing college soccer,” East Jessamine coach Tom Morgan said. Clements is the third Jaguar to sign to play college soccer this year. Clements decided late in the school year that he wanted to continue playing soccer past high school.

Centre College men's soccer player David Hewitt of Lexington has been named to the College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-America first team in the South Region. Hewitt is a senior midfielder for the Colonels, who finished with an 11-6-1 record. Hewitt was instrumental in the team's success leading the Colonels in scoring with 15 points on five goals and five assists, and he led the Colonels in six offensive categories. "David is very deserving of this award," Centre coach Jeb Burch said.

Julie Johnson thought she may have an in at Campbellsville University. Campbellsville's head coach, Abbie Whitley, was Johnson's coach at summer soccer camp. "I thought I might have made an inside source to get a chance to play soccer," Johnson said. "I went down there for a day trip and practiced with the soccer team and came back for a weekend stay. " Those trips made the difference for Johnson. She signed a letter-of-intent with Campbellsville Friday to play soccer for the Lady Tigers, who were 11-6-3 last season.

STANFORD - Haley Reed didn't play soccer her first two years at Lincoln County High School. But she had strong junior and senior seasons, and will now keep playing at the college level. Reed, along with fellow senior Chris Reardon, has signed to play soccer at St. Catharine College in Springfield. The chance to play right away was a key factor in Reed's choice. "I went to visit and knew they were going to let me play," she said. "I was going to check out a couple of more schools, but St. Catharine just made me feel at home.

“I've always loved soccer,” said Estridge. “I've been playing soccer since I was four, and it's always been a dream of mine to play college soccer.” When Brescia University came calling, the Lincoln County High School senior  knew she had found the pathway to her dream. After meeting with women's soccer coach Dave Donahue, Estridge was sold on becoming a Lady Bearcat. “For as long as I can remember, I knew I wanted to play college soccer, and it was between Hanover, Lindsey Wilson and Brescia,” Estridge said.

West Jessamine soccer coach Brock Sutherland choked back tears at the college signing of Colt seniors Joshua Owens and Austin Martin on March 19. It was an emotional day for Sutherland as not only did he get the opportunity to coach the pair during their senior years; he has worked with them since they 10 years old, and next fall they will attend his alma mater, Alderson-Broaddus College. “To see them sign to go play soccer at Alderson-Broaddus for four years is a real honor for me,” Sutherland said.

STANFORD - When his senior season ended, Daniel Simpson had no idea he'd be playing soccer in college. In fact, it wasn't until his final days in high school that his opportunity came. Thanks to two teammates who had already signed with St. Catharine College, the Lincoln County graduate has his chance to play college soccer. Teammates Chris Reardon and Haley Reed, who had committed to the men's and women's teams at the Springfield school, were meeting with St. Catharine administrator Christi Medley when Reardon dropped his teammate's name.

LANCASTER - Ashley Quinton was sold on Union College all along. It only took some time before the school was sold on her. The Garrard County senior was just about ready to give up on the idea of playing college soccer when the Union coach contacted her. After that, one successful visit was all it took for Quinton to decide to play for the Bulldogs. "I really liked the campus, I really liked the program, their soccer team is great and I really like their potential," Quinton said.

West Jessamine boys' soccer lost two of its top players Wednesday as seniors Sam Brown and Logan Daily signed their college letters of intent. Brown, who scored 12 goals for the 14-11-1 Colts in 2012, signed his name to play at Anderson University (S.C.) while teammate Daily, who scored 18 to lead the team, signed with Alderson-Broaddus College in Philippi, W. Va. Head coach Brock Sutherland said he “was fortunate enough to be their first traveling soccer coach” with the Lexington Futbol Club, where each played until this season.

Four Danville soccer players made their college choices official Friday, and a fifth was recognized for singing earlier this year during a ceremony in the Danville High Library. Alexa Burks (Transylvania), Shawn Ramos (Berea), Dylan Mullins (Berea) and Christian Gateskill-Fuqua (Centre) all signed Friday, while Matt Oster (Georgetown) signed earlier this year. Burks, a defender, said she has looked at Kentucky and Samford University just for school, but knew she wanted to keep playing soccer in college and Transylvania gave her everything she wanted.

Danville's Samantha Sadidge and Boyle County's Chelsea Gill and Hannah Harris recently signed to play college soccer at Campbellsville University.

East Jessamine senior Josiah Clements made his college choice last month by signing with the University of Pikeville. He will play soccer for the Bears. “I'm so proud of him. I'm real happy that he's found a home at Pikeville ... I'm glad that he's pursuing his dream of playing college soccer,” East Jessamine coach Tom Morgan said. Clements is the third Jaguar to sign to play college soccer this year. Clements decided late in the school year that he wanted to continue playing soccer past high school.

East Jessamine's Becca King made her college choice official last week by signing with Centre College. A year ago, King signing to play college soccer wouldn't have sounded out of the question, but back in August, it seemed like a long shot. Last summer, King blew out her ACL, sidelining her for most of her senior season at East. She was able to play in four matches and recorded an assist in a 5-1 win over John Hardin. “This year was so challenging because she blew her knee out before the season started.

East Jessamine soccer and track star Danielle Lee still has all of track season ahead of her, but she's made her college decision official by signing with Lindsey Wilson College. She will play soccer and run track. Lee said she was drawn in by the level of play at Lindsey Wilson as well as some of the international flair on the team. “It was the right fit, and I felt really at home,” Lee said. “I've been playing soccer ever since I was 4, so it's where my heart is at.” During her senior year at East Jessamine, Lee was second on the team in scoring with 19 goals.

West Jessamine soccer coach Brock Sutherland choked back tears at the college signing of Colt seniors Joshua Owens and Austin Martin on March 19. It was an emotional day for Sutherland as not only did he get the opportunity to coach the pair during their senior years; he has worked with them since they 10 years old, and next fall they will attend his alma mater, Alderson-Broaddus College. “To see them sign to go play soccer at Alderson-Broaddus for four years is a real honor for me,” Sutherland said.

“I've always loved soccer,” said Estridge. “I've been playing soccer since I was four, and it's always been a dream of mine to play college soccer.” When Brescia University came calling, the Lincoln County High School senior  knew she had found the pathway to her dream. After meeting with women's soccer coach Dave Donahue, Estridge was sold on becoming a Lady Bearcat. “For as long as I can remember, I knew I wanted to play college soccer, and it was between Hanover, Lindsey Wilson and Brescia,” Estridge said.

LANCASTER - Ashley Quinton was sold on Union College all along. It only took some time before the school was sold on her. The Garrard County senior was just about ready to give up on the idea of playing college soccer when the Union coach contacted her. After that, one successful visit was all it took for Quinton to decide to play for the Bulldogs. "I really liked the campus, I really liked the program, their soccer team is great and I really like their potential," Quinton said.