Gilroy High’s girls soccer team is in the midst of a season to remember. It became even more memorable Wednesday afternoon.
The NCAA signing period for soccer, among other sports, began Wednesday and runs through Aug. 1. Gilroy held a ceremony at Garcia-Elder Sports Complex to honor the signings of Taylor Slattery and Cynthia Sanchez with Division I college programs.
Slattery, a midfielder, signed with Utah. Sanchez, a striker, inked with Cal State Northridge.
“I’m proud of the girls. It’s a big day for the school,” said Mustangs coach Carlos Hernandez, who added that both signees carry GPAs of 3.5 or higher. “Their hard work is paying off, and I’m excited for them.”
Slattery has 15 goals and five assists this season, helping Gilroy to a record of 8-3-5 overall and first place in the Monterey Bay League Gabilan Division at 7-0-2.
“Honestly, I have no words. It’s unbelievable,” Slattery said of signing. “I’ve been waiting for this day forever. I’ve been playing since I was a little kid, 7 years old, and I’m so emotional.”
Slattery said the chance to play in the Pac-12 Conference and study in a new area made the Utes too hard to pass up.
“What stood out the most for Utah was, it’s a new experience, a new area and the Pac-12,” she said. “It’s a chance to play with the best of the best.”
Sanchez has sat out the season as she recovers from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her right leg, but Wednesday provided a chance for her work in the program to be recognized. She said she knew she wanted to play for the Matadors while visiting campus.
“When I got to CSUN, I immediately knew, ‘This is where I was going to go,’ because of the coaches, and the environment was just so warm,” Sanchez said. “I knew that was the place for me.”
