THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 19, 1994 TAG: 9406180080
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 31 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PATTI WALSH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: 940619 LENGTH: Medium
Patterson, who played four sports at Western Branch High School, has signed a soccer grant-in-aid with Division I Radford University where she will battle for the starting goalkeeper position next fall.
{REST} Though her stay in the Bruin goal box has been a short one, Patterson's lists of statistics and honors are impressive.
This season Patterson led Western Branch (8-5-2, 6-1) to a second-place finish behind Great Bridge and a trip to the region tournament. She posted nine shutouts and posted an outstanding 1.06 goals against average.
More unbelievable is that Patterson, who graduated Thursday night with honors, has been playing soccer for just two years.
Twice she was named to the All-Southeastern District first team and twice she was named to the All-Tidewater second team chosen by The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star.
``She was outstanding for only her second year playing soccer,'' coach Howard Meissel said. ``She's a very strong athlete and has developed very quickly. She obviously impressed some college coaches.''
Despite the honors and praise that Patterson has become accustomed to, she takes her quick success in stride. After all, it wasn't too long ago that she was a first year player.
``They (Western Branch) needed a goalkeeper and no one wanted to be a goalkeeper,'' Patterson said of her initial decision to play soccer. ``I thought I'd give it a try. The next thing you know, I'm going to Radford to play.''
Patterson intends to major in physical education, and if her busy schedule and her soccer coach allow it, she may go out for the basketball team.
Juggling multiple sports and a full academic load are as natural to Patterson as being in front of the goal.
She's played softball, run track, and excelled on the basketball and tennis courts before she discovered her first love, soccer.
``It's fun and challenging,'' she said. ``I wouldn't play something if it wasn't fun.''
Patterson, who also played for Beach FC U-19 under Norfolk Academy coach Kevin Sims last fall, is looking forward to learning more about the game in her upcoming college career. But, she has no intention of venturing out of the goal box.
``I'm not comfortable playing in the field,'' she explained. ``Keeper is my position. And not just anyone can be a keeper. You have to be aggressive and quick. You have to have confidence.
``I'm not afraid of anything,'' she added. ``I'm kind of scared, but I know I can adjust to it. I don't really hold back.''
by CNB