Silver Bluff senior Sierra Lamar, front and center, signs a letter of intent to play college soccer at USC Salkehatchie next season. Standing next to Lamar is her mother Michelle, left, and father Kenneth. Silver Bluff athletic director Al Lown, back left, and USC Salkehatchie coach William Glass are also pictured~PETTICOAT JUNCTION -- For the second consecutive year, USC Salkehatchie women's soccer coach William Glass has mined the talent at Silver Bluff High School. On Thursday, Bulldogs senior Sierra Lamar signed a letter of intent to play at the two-year school for Glass next season.
"We signed Veronica Lopez from here last year, and she did a good job," Glass said. "I've got a good relationship with Silver Bluff High School."
That bond paid off for Lamar. The sweeper/forward had interest from other four-year schools to play soccer but as a walk-on. She received a scholarship from USC Salkehatchie, which made her decision easy.
"It was a big factor; it really helped financially," Lamar said of the scholarship, which landed her at USC Salkehatchie rather than other potential destinations, including College of Charleston, Clemson, USC Aiken and Coastal Carolina. "I didn't know I'd get a soccer scholarship. ... Now I feel I will be able to continue to play soccer" at a four-year college.
There were other factors that helped form Lamar's decision. Among them was a visit to the school, when she got to meet with the women's soccer players. Described as an energetic player, Lamar said she was struck by the USC Salkehatchie players' enthusiasm. The fact that it's not too far from home was another bonus.
That, along with the intimacy of the school, where she can get more direct contact with professors, pushed Lamar toward USC Salkehatchie. That should help the student who intends to major in nursing.
"I've seen the classrooms, and they're built like hospital rooms. They have a lot of technology," Lamar said. "My grades will be first. I'm going there to better my education."
She also intendsto improve her soccer skills. Lamar pointed out she could further develop her dribbling, shooting and touch game. She won't have to wait to hone those skills. Both Glass and Lamar expect she will play immediately.
"She should see significant playing time as a freshman," Glass said of the player he described as very aggressive and who plays hard. "That's the advantage of a junior college, where we only have freshmen and sophomores. ... She's going to get experience right away and won't be sitting on the bench."
That should help Lamar continue her playing career beyond USC Salkehatchie. She said she remains interested in ultimately transferring to Clemson. Lamar is in the right place to help her move on.
"Last year, we graduated eight sophomores," Glass said, "and seven left Salkehatchie with soccer scholarships to four-year schools."
Contact Noah Feit at nfeit@aikenstandard.com.
