Plunkard opts for Grove City
SLIPPERY ROCK — A solid scorer as a sophomore and junior, Hannah Plunkard blossomed offensively on the soccer field last fall.
Grove City College looks to benefit from the Slippery Rock High School senior building off that productivity. Plunkard recently signed a letter of intent to continue her academic and soccer career with the Wolverines.
Plunkard led SR’s region in District 10 with 23 goals last fall. She had five assists as well. She tallied 11 goals her junior season, eight as a sophomore.
“I was always leaning toward Grove City,” Plunkard said. “It’s a local school and it felt like a family when I visited there. It’s a good school academically, too, a good Christian school and that’s important to me.”
Also considering Westminster and La Roche before choosing Grove City, Plunkard plans to major in business and sports management. Her goal is to become an athletic director for a school.
“My goals in soccer are just to continue to grow as a player,” she said. “I want to do my part in helping their program continue to win.”
Grove City does win — quite often.
Melissa Lamie has won 333 games and seven Presidents’ Athletic Conference titles in 29 seasons. She’s taken teams to five NCAA Division III tournaments.
The Wolverines were 11-7-1 overall in 2022, 7-2-1 in PAC play. Over the last nine years, Grove City has gone 67-9-2 in conference play.
“Hannah is going to fit in there very well,” Slippery Rock girls soccer coach Sarah Vermilya said. “Grove City’s offense is a lot like we run. It should be a smooth transition for her.
“Hannah is a goal scorer who plays end to end. She’s willing to do what she has to do to benefit her team.”
The Rockets reached the District 10 finals last season.
“We played as a team and I know that’s the type of program I’m joining now,” Plunkard said. “My high school career was a great time, a learning experience for me.”
Plunkard is one of three Butler County players recruited by Grove City this year. Tori Stevenson of Butler and Emma Dailey of Karns City are also headed there.
Two other Butler County products — forward Natalie Merrick from Seneca Valley and goalkeeper Courtney Lisman from Mars — are already on the roster.
Plunkard was a three-year starter and four-year letter-winner at Slippery Rock. She’s been playing soccer since the second grade.
“Coach Lamie has had a long, successful career there,” Vermilya said of Grove City. “She wins because she knows the type of player she wants. She likes smart players who love the game and Hannah certainly fits that bill.
“She will play her way into the lineup rather quickly. I’m confident of that.”
