Four More Talented Valkyries Commit to Play at Collegiate Level

From soccer to field hockey, four more talented Valkyries will take their game to the collegiate level.

From the soccer field, two star seniors have both signed to play NCAA Division I soccer. First, Eleanor Gabriel signed with the University of Tennessee. Gabriel said, “I liked the place and how it’s close to home. I also really liked the coach there.” As Gabriel reflected over her years playing for SHA she said her favorite moment was “beating Assumption sophomore year. We came back from 2-0 down with only fifteen minutes to go and ended up winning,” Gabriel said. The win against Assumption was also memorable for senior goalie, Corinne Peabody. Next year, Peabody will take her soccer skills to Fairfield University located in Connecticut. She believes playing at SHA “has really prepared [her] to be able to play at a D-1 school because [she] had great coaches and great teammates [that] really helped.”

In the gym you will find a 2012 State Field Hockey trophy. Two of the top team leaders will advance their athletic talents at the collegiate level. Ms. Field Hockey 2012, Kristin Matula, signed with Michigan State. On her choice of Michigan State, Matula said, “I really like the campus and the coaching staff is really open and welcoming…I felt at home there.” Matula credits move to a top D-1 school to the SHA’s Field Hockey program. Matula said, “It has really helped me and prepared me for college because the intensity level of practices and game is just as high.” Matula said her most memorable moment was winning state this year. Her teammate, Katherine English, scored a goal in the last minute to take home the state title. English choose Davidson College because of her love of North Carolina where she in originally from. She added, “I liked the balance between sports and school. Playing field hockey wouldn’t take up my life, but it’s still something I wanted to do.” English speaks fondly of playing for Sacred Heart saying, “It’s how I’ve met most of my friends and stayed busy.” English said, “Just playing at Sacred Heart has been a great experience.”

The Sacred Heart newspaper staff wants to congratulate these exceptional athletes and wish them luck on their next stage of life! Congrats girls!