Lock Haven locks up SV soccer standout Gamelier
JACKSON TWP — Alissa Gamelier's high school soccer career ended with a memory she wishes she could forget.
But she also knew that it wasn't the end of her playing career.
The Seneca Valley senior signed a letter of intent Friday to play soccer at Lock Haven University.
It fulfills a goal Gamelier had for herself long before she put on a SV varsity jersey.
"For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to play soccer in college," she said.
Gamelier, an outside defender, closed out a stellar career for the Raiders last fall in an unfamiliar place — the bench.
She was injured in the first half of a WPIAL Class AAA second-round playoff match at Mt. Lebanon and was unable to return.
The Raiders lost 1-0 to the Blue Devils in an overtime shootout.
"I sprained my right ankle," Gamelier said. "In the second half, I tried running sprints and dribbling along the bench. I wanted to get back in there, but I didn't want to take any risks and hurt the team."
Gamelier was a starter for SV since her freshman season and was named to the WPIAL All-Star team in 2006.
"She always had great speed on defense ever since she was a freshman," said Raiders coach Dave Sylvester. "It's going to be a big hole to fill, losing her."
Just as important as the physical ability she brought to the field was the improvement Gamelier made in four years of high school play.
"The offensive part of her game got better and better," Sylvester said. "As a freshman, she just wanted to defend. It took her a while to make the transition of running up into the offensive end. She improved with that."
Gamelier shouldered the responsibility of taking corner kicks last season and tallied several goals.
The list of schools she considered attending included Youngstown State, Slippery Rock University and Indiana (Pa.).
"I felt that Lock Haven offered a better health and physical education program. That's what I'm going to major in," Gamelier said.
Next fall, Lock Haven will enter its third season under head coach Heather Kendra, who is eager to see what impact Gamelier will have for the Eagles.
In an e-mail, Kendra wrote, "Alissa is a very talented defender, possessing both strength and skill. Her talents will allow her to adapt quickly to the college game. We are thrilled she has chosen Lock Haven."
The Eagles went 8-11-1 overall last season and 4-5-1 in the PSAC West.
Gamelier is hoping she can help the Eagles to a few more wins in her first season.
"One of their defenders recently had to quit because of academics," she said. "Coach Kendra said I could make an immediate impact. I'd like that."
