This week’s series of college athletic signings at Bridgeport High School continued Friday afternoon as Jordyn Bush committed to play soccer at West Virginia Wesleyan College. She will attend WVWC on an academic scholarship and will pursue a degree in nursing. 

 

Lady Indians Head Coach John Reese said Bush is sure to be an asset to the Lady Bobcats as she enters the Buckhannon-based Division II school this fall.

 

“Jordyn has good speed and you can play her anywhere,” he said.

 

A starting defender, Bush - who wore jersey no. 18 - was a great asset to BHS on both sides of the ball, Reese said. She proved that during a 2015 game against Lincoln High School. The Lady Indians were having trouble scoring and Reese moved Bush up front. She had no problem doing the job. It was a sometimes a problem, however, that there was only one of her.

 

“I remember when we played University and they were ranked No 2 in the state. I had her on defense and toward the end of the first half, the score was 0-0. I pulled Jordyn out and told her I was going to stick her up front for the second half to see if she could score,” Reese said. “But while I was talking to her, University scored three goals. She was only out three minutes. That’s how important she is to our defense.”

 

For the remainder of that game, Bush continued to play defense and the Hawks didn’t score again. The Lady Indians lost 3-0.

 

Bush also pointed out a memorable game from this year’s high school season.

 

“I think that would have to be Fairmont Senior. They’re always a fun team to play. It’s kind of the same rival type thing as Robert C. Byrd, but more fun. Everyone had a really good game that day,” said Bush about the regular season contest which ended in a 5-0 score in favor of BHS.

 

Bush has played four years for the Lady Indians. Her freshman year ended with a Class AA state championship and the team advanced to the title game during her sophomore and junior years, winding up as the state's runner-up team. Bush suffered some injury this year which interrupted her play, but the team finished the season 15-5 and came up short for a sectional win. Overall, it has been a great high school soccer career for Bush, who was named first team All-County, All-Conference and All-State. 

 

Still, she initially had no intentions of playing in college.

 

“At first I wasn’t that interested in it, but as the season progressed and the coach told me I had so much more coming for me, I got excited to play,” she said.

 

In addition to her involvement in BHS soccer, Bush has played plenty of travel team soccer and has also guest played for some leagues. Some of her travel team involvement was under WVWC Lady Bobcat Coach Patrick Holguin, who showed interest in Bush for college play.

 

Once she toured the campus, it was pretty much a done deal, she said.

 

“I liked how close it is to home. It’s convenient. And I love the campus atmosphere – how small and tight-knit the campus is. It’s really pretty up there,” she said.

 

Bush started playing soccer when she was little. In fact, it was sort of by accident. She said her aunt was supposed to sign her up for cheerleading, but registered her for youth soccer instead.

 

She’s so grateful that it turned out this way and said she will take what she has learned at BHS and carry it with her throughout her college soccer career.

 

“I want to be able to take that leadership with me to college and to be able to contribute to the team as much as I can,” she said.

Bush, who in addition to soccer has had some involvement with BHS Student Council, plans to get involved in the Buckhannon community.

 

“The university has a really good volunteer program so I’d like to get involved with helping out the community,” she said.

 

The Lady Bobcats finished the 2015-16 season with 17 wins, one loss and three ties. Some of Wesleyan’s in-state opponents include Fairmont State, Wheeling-Jesuit, West Liberty and Shepherd University. 

 

Joining Bush for Friday afternoon's signing at the Bridgeport High School library were her parents J.T. and Joilyn, brother Jacob, baby sister Jaci, Grandmother Cindy Davis, Lady Indians Coach John Reese, Assistant Coach Melissa Miller and nearly the entire BHS Girls' Soccer Team.