During her four years with the Bridgeport High School soccer program, Morgan Willis played 75 games and recorded 240 saves for the Lady Indians. When the four-year letterman and second team All-Stater graduates this May, she’ll look forward to another chapter in her soccer career.

 

This afternoon, Willis signed an offer of acceptance for academic and athletic scholarships to Point Park University. Starting with the 2016 fall semester, she will enter the Pittsburgh school as a biology major and member of the Women’s soccer team.

 

 

She said she chose Point Park because of the total package it had to offer: A competitive soccer team – which this year made it to the final 16 in its conference – at a school with a heavy artistic foundation and located in downtown Pittsburgh. The fact that the team is coached by Maggie Kuhn with assistance from Mackenzie Pinto – both former goalkeepers – is icing on the cake.

“I’m really excited. I like Point Park because it’s really nice and because it’s in Pittsburgh and it’s a performing arts school,” Willis said. “It has a nice soccer field and a nice coach and seems like just a nice place to be.”

 

Though she is pursuing a biology degree – with plans to ultimately become an optometrist – Willis will also be part of the performing arts program. She plans to minor in art.

 

At BHS, Willis is a member of the BHS National Honor Society and National Thespian Society. During her high school soccer career, she gathered some impressive stats. Having played 75 games, she had a save average of 5.27 and a goal average of 1.19. She was credited with 19 shutouts, but played 45 games without giving up a goal.

 

Under the coaching of John Reese and Melissa Miller, Willis said she learned to work better with her teammates and will carry that with her through her college soccer career. She has many good memories of her years with the Lady Indians, but didn’t have trouble recalling her favorite.

 

“I think that would be saving a penalty kick in Grafton during regionals,” she said.

 

That play happened during her sophomore year, after which the Lady Indians claimed the state runner-up title. During her freshman year, the girls were named state champs and during her junior year, they again were named the state runner-up team. This past year, the Lady Indians concluded their season with a 15-5 record and for the first time in recent years, came up short for a sectional win and therefore didn't advance to regional or state action. 

 

It was an easy decision, Willis said, to continue soccer though college.

 

“I really enjoy it and feel comfortable doing it. It’s something to do and to stick with,” she said. “It’s one of my favorite things and I want to keep doing it as long as possible.”

 

Willis has played soccer since she was 6 years old. Although she participated in other sports, including softball and basketball, soccer was always her favorite sport. Rather than playing for Bridgeport Middle School, she participated in travel soccer during the spring, winter and fall seasons. She was a member of the Mountaineer United Soccer Club-Elite, Fury Soccer Club and has played travel games and tournaments throughout West Virginia, as well as in Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, DC, Virginia, Tennessee and North Carolina. She played in the Pennsylvania West and Colonial leagues and has guest played with several competitive teams throughout the state. Tournaments in which she has played include CASL and the Jefferson Cup.

 

Her travel coach is Fairmont State Head Women’s Soccer Coach Pat McGinnis, who is also her soccer mentor, she said. McGinnis was among those attending today's signing which was held at the BHS library. 

 

Editor's Note: Pictured front row, left to right are Sean Willis, Maggie Kuhn, Morgan Willis, Susan Willis and Ethan Willis. Pictured in the back row are Patrick McGinnis, Coleman Willis and Mary Willis. Also pictured is the 2014 BHS team.