Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 27, 1990 TAG: 9003261990
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV9 EDITION: NEW RIVER
SOURCE: Chris Bachelder
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
But it wasn't just the quality of the biology department that attracted Lacy. So did the quality of the women's soccer program.
For Lacy, a standout forward for the Indians, N.C. State's No. 4 ranking last season and the program's consistency were powerful selling points. "I've just always wanted to see how far I can go in soccer," she aid.
N.C. State is banking on her. She chose the Wolfpack over 60 other colleges.
At NCSU, coach Larry Gross, after distributing his scholarships, picks a few non-scholarship players for his team. Lacy was one of Gross' chosen few.
And with good reason. Lacy, who has lettered in soccer for three years, made solid contributions to last season's Group AA state championship team.
In addition, Lacy has earned spots on the under-14, under-16 and under-19 Women's State Select Olympic development teams, the only female from Southwestern Virginia ever to do so.
She is also an excellent student and is involved in many activities, including indoor and outdoor track.
Lacy, who turned 18 last Thursday, is confident that she is ready for college soccer. "I believe playing at Blacksburg has prepared me very well - playing against the speed and the strength of the guys," Lacy said. "I've also had some really good coaches.
"The level of skill is just a lot better [in college]. It's a much faster game and the passing is so precise.
"I'll have to work hard. I may not start as a freshman, but I think I can contribute and I'll be learning and getting much better."
After her first year, Lacy hopes to receive a scholarship.
Pat Johnson, Lacy's coach at Blacksburg High, also thinks she is well prepared for her soccer future.
"Playing with the guys should make her tougher," Johnson said. "Her playing on our team has been good for her development as well as for our team's."
But while Lacy is awaiting college, she is having no trouble focusing on another matter: the 1990 Blacksburg soccer season and the quest for a second consecutive state title for the Indians.
Lacy said her early commitment gives her freedom from the distractions of visiting interested schools or continued recruiting.
"I believe we can [repeat]," she said. "We have a very strong team. And I won't have trouble concentrating on the season. It's my last year playing with the guys, and it's exciting for me to get to start."
Next year, while she will miss playing with her supportive male teammates, she may also miss playing against the opposite gender. Some male opponents tend to get unusually upset when Lacy blows by them with the ball.
"I like that," Lacy said.
And she is likely to have just as much enjoyment and success beating opponents while playing for the Wolfpack in the future.
"Soccer is very important to me; it's one of the main reasons I chose the school that I did," she said. "But it's fun. I really love it."
by CNB