Robinson has college dream come true
BUTLER TWP — Butler senior McKenna Robinson has realized a goal she set down a decade ago.
“I was 7 years old, watching a (Division I) college soccer game on TV,” she recalled. “Watching those girls play at such a high level ... It looked like so much fun.
“From that point, that's what I wanted to do.”
And she'll be doing it.
A forward who tallied 13 goals and 27 assists for the Golden Tornado this season, Robinson signed a letter of intent to extend her academic and soccer career with St. Bonaventure University.
The Bonnies, a member of the Atlantic 10, were 7-10-1 overall this season, 3-6-1 in conference play.
Robinson, carrying a 4.1 grade point average in high school, plans to major in health science.
Kent State and Charleston Soutrhern were among the other schools she considered.
“When I saw the campus, I really liked it,” Robinson said of St. Bonaventure. “I wanted to go to a smaller school, too.
“They (Bonnies) are in the middle of the pack in terms of their conference, but they're heading in the right durectuon. I feel like I can get significant playing time with them in my first year.”
St. Bonaventure has won more games this year than the previous two seasons combined. The Bonnies have not had a winning season since 2011, when they finished 9-7-4.
Robinson has been playing soccer since she was 4.
“I've known McKenna since she was 8 or 9 years old,” Butler girls soccer coach Steve Perri said. “She has tremendous upside. I know she's going to do very well up there.”
Robinson becomes the third Butler girls soccer player in eight years to gain a Division I scholarship. She joins Macy Stalnaker (West Virginia) and Haley Michel (Akron).
“At times, she is unstoppable,” Perri said of Robinson. “She is outstanding with the ball between her feet. She will beat people to the dribble.”
Robinson scored approximately 30 goals in her high school career.
“I feel like my ball skills, my dribbling are my biggest strengths as a player,” she said.
St. Bonaventure had only six seniors on its 28-player roster this season. It had nine sophomores and nine freshmen.
The Bonnies are graduating two senior forwards, including Bella May, who led the squad with three goals and 11 points. The team scored only 15 goals in 18 games.
“McKenna has the ability to set up teammates,” Perri said. “She can make all the plays. She can score from distance. She can score on free kicks. She can score off crosses.
“She is a total offensive player who will have a chance to grow with a young team. I'm excited for her.”
