Drake to kick for Radford
February 3, 2010 by Bryan Rothamel · View Comments
Senior forward, Tyler Drake, signs her national letter of intent to play soccer for the Highlanders
Drake, forward for the Fluco girls’ soccer team, is excited to get on campus at Radford.
“I like it a lot there. There’s other stuff to do besides just playing soccer and stuff. It’s big enough so it’s actually like a college but its small enough classrooms will be a good size,” Drake said.
Around the signing was Drake’s mother and father. Also in attendance where her younger brother and sister as well as coaches and friends.
“It’s great as a parent to experience this,” Michael, Tyler’s father said. He also said she was very deserving of the scholarship offer and the many long trips with the family were worth it.
This upcoming year will be Drake’s fourth year on varsity. Her first two seasons she played defense. Her junior year she was moved to offense where she plays on the club level.
Her active statistics are 40 goals and 25 assists. She led the Jefferson District last year with 31 goals and 20 assists.
Fluvanna girls’ soccer has made it to the Region II tournament the past three years with Drake on the team. Head coach Tara Garcia opened the signing ceremony with how the Flucos made it to their first regional behind the help of the then freshman Drake.
Three years ago, with the Flucos down one against Western Albemarle in the Jefferson District semi-finals, Drake stole the show.
Along with the many interviews Tyler Drake gave Wednesday, two were with the local television stations.
“They passed Tyler the ball, as a freshman. She dribbled through the whole Western Albemarle defense and went on to score the goal.” Garcia continued, “If you would have asked me after that game if we would be sitting here four years later, I would say, ‘definitely.’”
Radford, located in the town of Radford in the New River Valley, finished last year sixth in the Big South Conference with a 9-11 record overall and 5-4 conference record. They lost seven games by one goal and one in double-overtime.
The Highlanders won the first game of the Big South Championship upsetting Charleston Southern University in overtime. Radford lost in overtime to the eventual Big South champions, High Point University, in the semi-finals.
RU currently has 14 players on roster who are sophomores or freshmen. The Highlanders dress six current players at midfield, the position Drake anticipates playing.
The schedule for Radford will keep Drake close to home. The Highlanders furthest game was in Northern Charleston at aforementioned conference opponent Charleston Southern University. The closest game to Palmyra was in Farmville against Longwood University. All conference games are broadcasted on the Big South Network’s online webstream.
“The ones we don’t go to, we’ll be able to do the watch online so it’s nice,” Michael said.
The first day of spring practice for girls’ soccer in Virginia is Feb. 22 with games slated to begin mid-March.
“I’m excited. I’m ready to start the season. Tryouts are coming out soon. It should be a good season,” Drake said. She said hopes she makes the team. With a smile Garcia said she better workout a lot.
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