RAINBOW CITY — Westbrook Christian’s Mattie Loyd had one collegiate offer to play soccer at the next level, and that was all she needed to complete her childhood dream.
The Warriors’ senior goalkeeper signed her National Letter of Intent to play at Jacksonville State University on Wednesday at Westbrook Christian School.
“I’ve always wanted to play D-1 soccer,” Loyd said. “I told my parents when I was in eighth grade that I was going to go D-1 and that I was going to be the best goalkeeper (laughs).”
Loyd has been Westbrook’s starting goalkeeper for the past three seasons.
She has been a big key to the Warriors run of two straight trips to the state championship game, where they finished runner-up both times. She also helped the team make the final eight her freshman season.
Loyd has 42 career shutouts and a playoff record of 7-3. The Warriors won two area championships with Loyd at goalie.
“She’s been very successful,” Westbrook coach Joel Hawbaker said. “In the three years (with Loyd at goalkeeper), we’ve had the most success this program has ever had. She has been a huge part of it.”
Now Loyd has one more goal she wants to accomplish before heading to Calhoun County, and that’s win a state championship. Westbrook’s soccer season starts Monday at Susan Moore.
“Hopefully we can win a state championship,” Loyd said. “Third time's is a charm.”
Loyd plans to get an undergraduate degree in biology.