Three to sign

letters of intent
By Steve Behr
sports@wataugademocrat.com

Three Watauga girls soccer players will continue their careers into college when they sign letters of intent next week.

Two will be playing in the Southern Conference. Macy Johnson will sign with Chattanooga next Thursday, while goal keeper Sarah Caldwell will sign with Furman next Friday.

Another Pioneer, Lucy Binning, will stay a Pioneer when she signs with the Tusculum College Pioneers next Thursday.

All three are expected to play pivotal roles for the Watauga Pioneers this season, which begins with scrimmages at the Hickory Jamboree Feb. 16. Another scrimmage in Asheville is scheduled for Feb. 23, followed by the first game of the season Feb. 26 at East Forsyth. Two days later, the Pioneers host Ashe County.

Caldwell, who is currently playing basketball for the Pioneers, played keeper in 24 games for the Pioneers last season. She gave up 23 goals, made 160 saves and posted 8.5 shutouts, sharing one of them with backup keeper Heather Hodges.

Johnson led the Pioneers in goals with 17 last year. She also dished out six assists, giving her 40 points.

She has 20 career goals and 56 career points.

Binning led the team in assists with 11. She also had three goals, giving her 17 overall points. She has six career goals and 24 overall points.

All three led the Pioneers to a 12-8-4 overall record, 8-2-2 in the Northwestern 4-A Conference. Watauga reached the third round of the state 4-A playoffs before falling to Weddington 2-0.