Original Article on Longview News-Journal Website

SOCCER: Friday signs soccer letter

By JACK STALLARD

Thursday, March 10, 2005

It took one match, and technically two plays, for Marcia Oliveira to decide she wanted Jaclyn Friday to be a part of her soccer program for the next four years.

Friday, a senior standout at Pine Tree High School, signed a national letter of intent Wednesday to play soccer at Sam Houston State University. A three-year varsity starter, Friday was joined in a brief ceremony at the Pine Tree field house by her parents – Bob and Tammy Friday – along with Lady Pirate soccer coach Daniel Rich and Pine Tree athletic director Tim Russell.

‘‘Jaclyn Friday has a very classy way of playing soccer,'' Oliveira said when contacted by phone after the signing. ‘‘She is fast and tall, and she really makes things happen for herself and the team. She's a natural. She comes from an athletic family, and I think that, along with her natural ability, gives her insight into the game. She's also very competitive and very smart. I enjoy watching her play.''

Friday had 20 goals and 31 assists in her first two varsity seasons. She moved from halfback to forward this year, and has racked up 19 goals and 15 assists for the Lady Pirates. Pine Tree leads the district with an 8-0 record (16-3-3 overall) with two regular season matches remaining.

Oliveira said Friday caught her eye at the Lady Governor's Cup tournament in Georgetown early in the season. In that tournament, Pine Tree finished with a 1-1-1 record. After opening with a 3-0 win over El Paso Riverside, the Lady Pirates fell to No. 9 ranked Friendswood (1-0) and then tied an unbeaten Wichita Falls team, 1-1 on the final day.

Friday had two goals in the win over El Paso Riverside, but it was her one goal against Wichita Falls that turned heads.

‘‘The thing that caught my attention was that she created a foul and then went on to capitalize by putting in an upper 90 off a free kick from 30 yards out,'' Oliveira said.

Rich said Friday has all of the tools to be successful at the next level.

‘‘She's a big, physical player with the ability to use both her left and right foot. She's constantly churning and heading toward the goal, and she's fast,'‘ Rich said. ‘‘She has 19 goals this year, and she is constantly doubled team. For her to still get open is amazing.''

Friday was a first team all-district and honorable mention All-East Texas selection as a sophomore. She was named the district's offensive MVP and earned first team All-East Texas honors a year ago after leading the Lady Pirates with 21 assists to go along with 11 goals.

Sam Houston State University has fielded a soccer team for two seasons, competing in the Southland Conference along with SFA, Texas State, Nichols State, Southeast Louisiana, Louisiana Monroe, Northwestern State and McNeese. Louisiana Monroe will drop out of the conference in 2006, but UT-San Antonio will join the league next season

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