Tsawwassen's Hannah Carrothers is heading south of the border, but not too far south, to take the next step in her soccer career.
The 18-year-old left fullback is part of the 2015 Seattle University women's soccer team's recruiting class.
"I really, really feel at home in the Pacific Northwest. I love the coaching staff. The girls are really great. The team is awesome," said Carrothers, who got a four-year scholarship. "I had offers from other places in the States but this just felt right for me. I felt like it was a great fit."
Carrothers, who's in Grade 12 at South Delta Secondary, said playing soccer at the university level is something she's always wanted to do and that it's amazing to get the opportunity to play at a NCAA Div. 1 school.
She has visited the campus a few times and met the team's coaching staff.
"It's a really great team environment. They're all about being a really big family. It was really welcoming and positive." In terms of her first year with the Redhawks, Carrothers said her number one goal is to crack the starting 11. She also wants to make an impact every time she gets out on the field, whether in practice or games.
She describes herself as a never-give-up defender who also loves to get forward and join the attack.
Being relatively close to home was also a positive for Carrothers, adding it'll be nice her family will be able to come and watch games.
"I love the location, for sure."
Carrothers has spent the last two years with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite U18 program after playing for Coastal FC of the B.C. Premier Soccer League.
She said she's learned a lot from Girls Elite head coach Jesse Symons.
"We've been able to focus on goals and to just continue to get better, being in that high intensity environment and playing so many times a week, it's been really good for my game."
She plans on working towards a business degree in marketing and said she may pursue law after that.
The Redhawks women's soccer team is coming off back-to-back Western Athletic Conference championships.
"This incoming class reminds me a lot of our outgoing seniors," said head coach Julie Woodward on the university website. "I believe that what sets the most successful student-athletes apart is their character, commitment and consistency.
"I can see those qualities in this class, and I know that our program will nurture their desire to reach both individual and team goals. These new additions to the SU women's soccer family have big shoes to fill, and I know they can do it."
Woodward described Carrothers as a high-level player who will transition to the college game very quickly. "She is a talented left back with incredible fitness, allowing her to contribute to the attack without neglecting her defensive responsibilities. Hannah is a special talent and a wonderful young woman who exemplifies our team values of character, commitment and consistency."
