Thomas

JEFFERSON TWP — Shiann Thomas' future in soccer was uncertain when her high school career ended in October.

Then came a showcase for college hopefuls in Ohio.

“I wanted to play in college, but didn't think I'd get the opportunity. The showcase was in December. They split the players onto teams and we played three games,” said Thomas, a senior attacking midfielder at Knoch who impressed coaches from several schools, including Wheeling Jesuit University.

“I visited the campus in February and could just see myself going there,” said Thomas, who signed a letter of intent last month to attend the Division II school.

Thomas was also being courted by several other schools, including La Roche, Bethany and Penn State Behrend.

WJU coach Tyler Absalom sees Thomas as a player who can help his team in several areas.

“She is very athletic and has an incredibly high soccer IQ,” he replied in an emailed interview. “Her vision is fantastic and she fits in very well with our possession-based style of play.”

Thomas proved adept at creating opportunities for her high school teammates. Over the last two seasons, she totaled 26 assists, including 14 last fall to go with four goals. She was named to the Butler Eagle's Girls Soccer Honor Roll as a junior and senior.

“She did a fantastic job of distributing the ball for us,” said Knoch coach Kevin Wood, “but her numbers don't tell the whole story. There were a lot of times when she helped create a goal, but didn't get credit for it because there were a few passes in between.”

It was during her sophomore season when Thomas laid the foundation for a solid varsity career and, ultimately, the chance to play at the next level.

Lauren Betts was a senior midfielder for the Knights in 2016 and took Thomas under her wing.

“That was my first year as a starter and I was scared at getting the opportunity, being just a small sophomore,” remembered Thomas, “but I learned so much from Lauren. She had been through it all before and pushed me, but wasn't mean about it.

“I played defense when I was younger, but moved to the midfield in middle school and stayed there. I was drawn to the position.”

WJU competes in the Mountain East Conference, which includes schools in West Virginia and Ohio.

The Cardinals are coming off a 3-13-1 season. Absalom believes he will soon have the talent on campus to help change the program's fortunes.

“Shiann is part of a very gifted class coming in,” he replied. “We feel that this class' potential is incredibly high and we look to them to push us forward in our conference and region.

“We have recruited Shiann to impact our program on the field, in the classroom and in the community.”

Now that her soccer career has been extended, Thomas is anticipating a new challenge.

“I'm looking forward to getting to play at a higher level and learn more about the game,” she said. “It's a great opportunity.”