On Monday, Feb. 13, 2017, Pennsbury seniors Kelly Amador, Abby Johnson and Meredith Webber were recognized for committing to compete in soccer at the collegiate level. To view photos of the event, please visit the Photo Gallery.
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Kelly Amador – George Washington University (Soccer)
Major: Undecided/International Affairs
Final list of colleges: George Washington, Columbia, Indiana
Reasons for choosing George Washington: “I’ve been so undecided, and the only major that I always come back to is international affairs, so obviously, GW is perfect for that. GW is good academics and athletics. Strictly athletic-wise, I wanted a school that had a strong program but also room for improvement so I could come in and possibly make a difference and help them reach a level they haven’t reached yet.
“Plus the location – it’s right in the city, and the moment I stepped on campus I loved it. I was the first (incoming freshman) committed, and since then, 11 people have committed in my class. Something that solidified my choice was when we all met and got along so well.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in soccer at the collegiate level? “From the time I started, I knew I wanted to play at the highest level I could, and college is the next step towards that. I don’t want to stop playing. When I started going to tournaments and started getting noticed by colleges, I was like, ‘Wow, I can do this.’”
Coach Kaitlyn Battiste says: “Kelly is someone who has that deceptive speed and the ability to take on defenders. She has a very large skill set in that sense. She’s just naturally athletic and really had the ability to take over games. Two years ago when we were able to beat Neshaminy at their place for the league title in 2015, she was the game changer. She was nursing a back injury, but we put her in off the bench, and she just took over. She had a goal and an assist, and she’s just someone who has that type of talent and leadership to really take over a game.”
About Kelly:
Favorite food: Avocado Toast
Favorite movie: Pulp Fiction
Favorite music: Alternative
Meredith Webber – University of Maryland, Baltimore County (Soccer)
Major: Biology
Final list of colleges: UMBC, Bucknell, Loyola
Reasons for choosing UMBC: “I went to visit UMBC on my unofficial last year at the Super Bowl, and I just had a really good time with the girls, and I really seemed to click with the coaches. I thought that my head coach really resembled coach (Kaitlyn) Battiste and (Kim) Voorhees, and the assistant really resembled my club coach. It just made sense to me, and after experiencing a class the next day, I just knew that I would fit really well there.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in soccer at the collegiate level? “I have been with YMS since I was four years old. My coach, John Greaves, has been a huge part of my life, especially since we train so much, so I see him more than some of my teachers. He just always engrained the importance of hard work, and I think that’s been a huge part of my game.
“Soccer has been a huge part of my life for 14 years, and it would be impossible for me to give it up.”
Coach Kaitlyn Battiste says: “Meredith Webber is the reason Pennsbury has had so much success throughout her tenure – three league titles when we had never won a league title before she came here. She’s been a two-year varsity captain, but this year she took on even more of a leadership role because of so many different injuries to players. She had 16 goals, and the first half of the season she was averaging a goal a game. She just is that fearless player and is not afraid to compete. She has a great work ethic and set the tone and the attitude that we want - the culture of winning and working hard in order to achieve that in the whole program.”
YMS coach John Greaves says: “Meredith has been a major player on the YMS Xplosion girls’ soccer team from the age of U10. It has been very rewarding to watch her grow into the player she has become. She is a very strong athletic player, a leader and a fierce competitor, who plays like she practices. She is always fully committed in everything that she does, both in soccer and outside of soccer. She gives back to our YMS program by helping coach our young academy girls’ teams before she begins her own practice. I am sure that Meredith will have very good college soccer experience over the next four years.”
About Meredith:
Favorite food: Pickles
Favorite movie: When Harry Met Sally
Favorite music: “Anything that I can dance to”
Abby Johnson – Southeastern Louisiana University (Soccer)
Major: Digital Media
Final list of colleges: Southeastern Louisiana, American University, Francis Marion, South Carolina, Charleston, Philadelphia University
Reasons for choosing Southeastern Louisiana: “I didn’t have any expectations going into it. They asked me to come visit. I said, ‘Why not?’ I went to visit New Orleans, and I loved that. I went to the school thinking it wouldn’t be for me, and I ended up falling in love. I teared up there because I was like, ‘What if I can’t go here?’ because I didn’t know if my knee was okay at the time, but it ended up being okay. I fell in love with it.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in soccer at the collegiate level? “My team – YMS Xplosion – has gotten really far. We’ve had many accomplishments, and that drove me. Soccer is my passion, and I’ve always wanted to play in college. Having my injuries was a setback definitely, but since I love it so much, I just can’t let it go. I’ve been very driven to get where I am now and am proud of myself for what I’ve overcome with my injuries. My team made it to the finals in nationals three years in a row. Unfortunately, we lost every year, but the fourth year, last summer, we finally pulled through and became national champions. It was definitely a long ride to victory, but it was all worth it.”
YMS coach John Greaves: “AJ, as she is known to me, is a great story for never quitting. Abby has been playing for my YMS Xplosion since U10, and she always showed great promise. AJ just loves being fit and works very hard in the gym and on the soccer field. She suffered three major injuries, which prevented her from playing in some major finals for the Xplosion. AJ could have quit after her last knee operation, but her love of playing soccer and the support of her teammates and myself gave her the strength to continue. It was pure joy for me to see AJ playing in the final and winning the national championship in Dallas, the true reward for never giving up. AJ also gives her time to our younger girls team before her own practice. She is a very strong player, very competitive and has a very powerful left foot shot. She can play in defense and attack. She is a very good leader and a team player, which is very important. She will be a success in college soccer.”
About Abby:
Favorite food: Cotton Candy
Favorite movie: Deadpool
Favorite music: Clarence the Rapper
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