VSA Heat 96 Blue announces update on college commitments

HAYMARKET, VIRGINIA (Via Virginia Soccer Association) – Following National Signing Day, out of 22 girls on the VSA Heat 96G Blue roster, 17 have now committed to colleges while two girls are already enrolled. While news of the team’s college commitments is not done, see below for a look at where the girls will be going this fall.

The 96s are one of the most successful teams in VSA history. Coached by Steve Smith, the girls are ranked No. 1 in Virginia, the region and the nation by GotSoccer.com and reached the 2014 National Championship. During their time together the girls have won a wide range of tournaments, including the 2014 Disney Showcase, and they will now continue their soccer careers away from each other at the next level.

The three-time Virginia State Cup champions already have two girls in their freshman year at college; Michele Micciche and Karina Lacey are already enrolled at High Point University and North Carolina State respectively. Micciche played in 19 games for the Panthers in the fall, while Lacey saw action in 6 games for the Wolfpack.

“We are very excited and proud to announce our 2015 college commitments for the U18 VSA Heat Blue team, a 2014 National Finalist. Due to their hard work and determination, these young ladies will be moving onto the collegiate ranks,” said Smith. “They are leaders on and off the field and have a great team spirit and culture, we have been privileged to coach them these past three years and look forward to seeing them excel at the next level.”

Technical Director Matt Lacey echoed Smith’s sentiments, and hopes the younger VSA teams look up to these girls as an example.

“This is a fantastic achievement for all of the girls and it speaks volumes of each player’s hours of hard work and dedication to get to this point,” said Lacey. “As a club we are very proud of what they have achieved and we hope that our younger girls can follow in their footsteps over the next few years.”

Arial Gardner, Christopher Newport University

Maddie Watson, East Carolina University

Gabby Gillis, Christopher Newport University

Kayla Christian, Coastal Carolina University

Ava Roth, Lehigh University

Bella Muzo, Virginia Commonwealth University

Erika Tomayko, James Madison University

Sarah Strachan, Messiah College

Kady Badham, University of Maryland

Olivia Korhonen, Northwestern University

Mia Barreda, George Washington University

Amanda Phillip, Radford University

Zoe Foxhall, Virginia Tech

Lauren Short, Jacksonville University

Lauren Ciccone, Christopher Newport University

Abby Gashel, Coastal Carolina University

Kelli Burney, University of South Florida

Michele Micciche, High Point University

Karina Lacey, North Carolina State University