Lambert makes herself known
JACKSON TWP — When it came time to be seen by college recruiters, Lexus Lambert could not be spotted.
The Seneca Valley senior was on the sidelines during Cup soccer season last spring, recovering from a torn ACL suffered during basketball season in January.
“My goal since I was a little girl has been to play Division I soccer,” Lambert said. “The prime time for recruiters to see you is the Cup season between your junior and senior year and I couldn't play then.
“I didn't think I'd get an opportunity. But the Robert Morris coaches approached me and everything worked out.”
Lambert, a defender, signed a letter-of-intent Friday to continue her academic and soccer career at Robert Morris University. She didn't return to action until midway through her senior season.
“They know our players,” Seneca Valley girls soccer coach Dave Sylvester said. “Madison Kozlowski is a senior at Robert Morris now and will be graduating.
“Robert Morris is a good fit for Lexus and Lexus is a good find for them.”
Kozlowski scored three goals and eight points for the Colonials last season.
The Colonials are coming off a 10-11-4 season and have had just one winning campaign — 11-8-1 in 2-11 — since 1992. But their 5-3 record in the Northeast Conference last season marked their first-ever winning season in NEC play.
“I'm excited to be joining them now,” Lambert said. “I followed their season last year and they lost a bunch of games by one or two goals. It's not like they were getting destroyed every game.
“I'm looking forward to coming in there and making a difference.”
Lambert knows all about winning. During her four years at Seneca Valley, the Raiders were 80-10 overall, 43-4-1 in section play, won two WPIAL championships and finished runner up once. Last year's team finished 17-5 and lost in the WPIAL semifinals.
John Kowalski, a former Pittsburgh Riverhounds and Pittsburgh Spirit coach, has been coaching the Robert Morris women's team for 15 years. He has coached a U.S. National team as well.
“He's followed my career and told me he felt like I could start as a freshman for him — and that's when I was out with a torn up knee,” Lambert said. “The fact he showed that kind of confidence in me made me feel good.
“My goal is to start as a freshman. That would be a nice accomplishment. When I visited the campus, talked to girls on the team, found out how much they liked the coach ... I fell in love with the place. I didn't look at anything else.”
Sylvester said Lambert “worked her butt off to get back” in time to join the Raiders for the second half of her senior season.
“She's a determined kid who loves the game. I know she'll help them,” he added.
The Colonials are graduating two senior defenders from last year's team. They will have three juniors and one sophomore in the defensive corps this fall.
Lambert is carrying a 4.1 grade point average and plans to major in political science. She hopes to get into law school down the road.
“All I want to do is get on the field and become a positive part of the team,” she said. “I have passion for the game and that helps you win. It doesn't matter if the player you're lined up against is faster or has more skills than you.
“If you have enough passion to win, you will win.”
