Butler soccer girls sticking together
BUTLER TWP — Clarion University went shopping for one and wound up with a three-pack.
The Golden Eagles’ women’s soccer program is adding Butler forward Madi Rose, center-back Paige Griest and center-forward Leah Deal to its team next season. The three girls recently signed their letters of intent to continue their academic and soccer careers at Clarion.
“They (Clarion coaches) came down here to look at some of our girls and ended up taking three of them,” Butler girls soccer coach Dan Buzzard said. “I believe all three will be successful up there.
“They’ll set a good example on the field and in the classroom. I’m excited for all of them.”
Rose also considered Pitt-Greensburg and Penn State Behrend before deciding on Clarion. Griest was looking at those same two schools as well. Deal, who plans to major in nursing, was on Clarion from the start.
“This was not a plan for all three of us to go there,” Deal said of Clarion. “That’s just the way it worked out. Having familiar faces on the field with you can only help, though.”
Griest said the trio never talked with each other about where they were going to college.
“It’s wild how we’re all winding up there,” she said. “I’m looking forward to plying more soccer with Madi and Leah, but I’m looking forward to earn playing time right away.
“We’re all going to have to work, improve our games to make that happen,” she said.
The trio will be joining a fairly young team. Clarion had only three seniors on a team that went 4-9-4 overall, 4-7-3 in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference play. Jason Edwards will be entering his second season as Golden Eagles head coach. He is a former Point Park assistant coach and Chartiers Valley High School head coach.
In 22 seasons, Clarion women’s soccer has won as many as five conference games only once, in 2017. The Golden Eagles have not had a winning season.
Deal scored 10 goals and added 11 assists for Butler last season while Rose scored five goals and Griest one.
“All three of us want to do well for the school and the team,.” Griest said.
“These girls are still developing as soccer players,” Buzzard said. “They’ve played club soccer, they love the game and they work hard. I know Clarion is going to be very happy to have them.”
