THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, February 8, 1997 TAG: 9702080644
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: 47 lines
Lauren Rafal, Sarah Willis and Johannah Thompson paced the Kempsville Chiefs to the girls soccer state AAA quarterfinals.
This fall, they will again play together, this time on the Old Dominion University women's team.
Rafal, Willis and Thompson signed with the Monarchs earlier this week. Rafal, a two-time All-Beach district and two-time All-Tidewater player was also an All-Tidewater selection on the the Chiefs' state championship field hockey squad. She scored a team-high 15 goals with nine assists and earned all-state honors last season.
``I felt like it was the right choice for me,'' Rafal said of Old Dominion. ``It had all the elements I was looking for in a school.
``The coach and players are great and I felt like the program was on the rise and I could help them out.''
Rafal said the trio had talked about playing together in college, but were planning to go in opposite directions before the offers came.
Her former neighbor, Thompson, was swayed by the Monarchs' solid commitment to women's sports.
``They have a lot of expectations from their teams,'' she said. ``The coach is a very good coach. I just think it will be a fun experience.''
Thompson, a stopper, tallied five goals and three assists for the Chiefs last season. She was a first-team All-Tidewater and All-State selection.
Willis, a goalkeeper, earned second-team All-Tidewater, All-Beach and All-State honors. She initially considered West Virginia, but this week signed with the Monarchs.
``They have a promising future,'' she said. ``It looked pretty good.''
She admits that the idea of staying with her current teammates is ``awesome.''
``Lauren used to live behind me,'' Thompson said. ``We've been friends since first grade.
``As little kids we would think of what is happening now. It's pretty cool.''
Chris Johnson, an offensive lineman from Western Branch, has signed a football letter of intent with Morgan State. Johnson (6-1, 265) is expected to play offensive guard. ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Sarah Willis, above left, Johannah Thompson, below left, and Lauren
Rafal will still be soccer teammates.