For The Tribune
Seymour senior Elizabeth Davis listed the reasons she chose to continue her academics and soccer career this fall at Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky.
“My family is all originally from Kentucky,” she said. “It’s a small Christian school. I was mainly looking at smaller schools, so we went and visited and I really like the school, and the campus, the (soccer) coach and the team was all a lot of fun.
“I went to a couple of soccer camps there and I really enjoyed the atmosphere that they have going on there. I look forward to continuing with soccer and being able to meet new people, and to get better as a player and playing at a different level.”
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
Asbury is a member of the Kentucky Indiana Athletic Conference. The Eagles won the KIAC conference (7-1) and tournament titles last fall, and posted a record of 12-5-1 under third-year coach Brooke Lincoln.
Seymour girls’ soccer coach Greg Musser said he feels Asbury will suit Davis.
“I think she’s got a really good shot of getting some good playing time in there over her career,” he said. “She talked to me a little after she’s gone down there a few different times, and played with the team, and just asked for some pointers and things I thought about what she could do.
“Her versatility will possibility allow her to play her first season there. She’s got the ability to pretty much play any position on the field with her smarts and athleticism. I’m looking for some good things from her.”
Davis said she began playing soccer in Seymour when she was 5 or 6, and played numerous positions throughout her career.
“This past year I played outside mid(fielder),” she said. “I moved the ball up the field from defense to the forwards, and worked on getting the ball toward the net, working on the flow.”
Last fall, the Owls’ captain had four assists commanding the middle of the field.
Musser said that Davis was always there to encourage and help her teammates.
“She was always there to reiterate things that maybe the girls weren’t understanding,” Musser said. “A lot of times girls are just afraid to ask when they don’t understand a drill, or something that I’ve told them. Liz was always there to pull them aside and explain it to them, and be there as a second voice for me, which is what you really want out of a captain.
“She was a huge part of our program. She may not have been great as far as goals and assists, but her leadership on the field and the position she played defensively, solidifying the backline and being a solid-holding mid for us (was valuable). She did a lot of the behind-the-scenes work, the ‘dirty’ work.
“A lot of the girls have been able to look up to her and see her work ethic and what she’s turned herself into. She’s a great role model to refer to.”
Davis said she had a good experience playing club soccer with SCIFA, a Seymour-based travel team.
“I got to see a lot of different players from different places,” she said. “Playing with a different group of girls you get to see different skill levels.”
Davis said she also had a lot of fun playing high school soccer in Seymour.
“I’ve enjoyed my teams and having a good time and working hard during the season and in the off-season, and working on getting better as a team as well as an individual,” she said. “I really enjoy (the physical part of soccer). From the very beginning, since I started playing, it’s something I like to do.”
Davis said she plans on majoring in engineering at Asbury, a school that pairs up with University of Kentucky to do a three-two program.