Montclair High senior captain Morgan Stith verbally accepted an offer from Virginia during early summer, a commitment that will become official when Stith signs her National Letter of Intent from UVA in February. As evidenced by her early decision, becoming a Cavalier was a no-brainer.

"I had visited the schools I wanted to see, and I just felt it was the right fit and the right time despite it being so early," says Stith, who last season was named first team at sweeper in several publications that produce a New Jersey All-State team. "I’m excited to play soccer, but even if I wasn’t, it would still be the right place in terms of academics and everything the school has to offer."

Stith chose Virginia over Georgetown, the only other school she put strong consideration into attending. A spot on the Hoyas would have reunited Stith with Montclair High 2007 grad Ingrid Wells, the Big East Freshman of the Year and an All-American currently on the U.S. Under-20 National Team.

"I stayed with Ingrid when I visited, and she didn’t any pressure on me, telling me to make the right decision for me," Stith says. "It would have been cool to play with a former teammate, but it didn’t work out that way."

Wells also gave Stith plenty of advice regarding the college game.

"Ingrid told me it’s a much more physical style of play, and because we are both smaller players, speed and technical ability are two things I will have to do well," says Stith. "Ingrid plays mostly up front while I’m usually in the back for Montclair, but seeing how well she did this year as a freshman at a high level was very encouraging."

Mountie coach Chris Johnson called Stith "the best sweeper in New Jersey last year," yet his star player will likely move to center halfback this season. Johnson will also give her carte blanche to attack and create.

"Morgan is so quick to the ball and once she gains possession, that she will be utilized in several roles for us," Johnson says. "Her talent level allows her to play many positions very well."

Stith has played sweeper since her freshman year for MHS, but as a member of the Montclair Aristocats, her club team, and on numerous developmental training squads, she’s been in the front, middle and back.

"I think Morgan is really going to excel at the high school level by moving up," says Johnson. "If there is an instance where we need her to fall back and close up the ranks a bit, we also have that luxury."

FULLY FOCUSED

With her college future a done deal, Stith won’t have the added pressure faced by many high school athletes who not only have to visit schools during their senior year, but then pick a place where they will spend the next four years.

Stith will be able to focus on studying and maintaining her A average. A winner of numerous service awards, Stith has also volunteered her time tutoring children, mentoring young soccer players and serving at the New Jersey Food Bank in the past.

And there’s also that one other thing she hopes will take up most of her autumn.

"This team has a great chance to be very successful. We’ve been to the sectional final three times and lost, [so] I want to win States this year," says Stith. "That’s definitely a top priority."