South Riding, Va. — Freedom High School senior forward Andrew Strait has verbally committed to continue his athletic and academic careers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham starting in the 2020-2021 school year.

“It’s been one of my goals my whole life to play Division I soccer,” the 6-foot-2 Strait said. “I had a lot of different schools reach out which was amazing, but in the end, I picked the school that really felt like home and a place I’d like to spend the next four years of my life.”

Over those next four years, Strait – who grew up in Alabama – will join a UAB team that finished its 2018 campaign with a 6-9-3 record, posting a 2-5-1 in Conference USA. The Division I Blazers – led by first-year head coach Jeff Kinney – open their 2019 season at Marquette University on August 30.

All the way back in Virginia, the Freedom Eagles finished their 2019 season 17-1-1, as both the Potomac District and VHSL Region 5C runners up, before falling in a VHSL 5A State semifinal on June 7.

“It was obviously amazing that we went as far as we did. It was a great ride,” Strait said. “I’m hoping we can go even further this year and break even more records.”

While leading the Eagles to a record-breaking season, Strait picked up numerous individual accolades as well, including first-team All-Potomac District, All-Region 5C, All-VHSL 5A State, and All-LoCo honors. Strait also earned a spot on the All-Met honorable mention list.

Strait has one more season left at Freedom before he takes his talents to Alabama. He currently holds three school records – single season assists, single season goals and career goals – as well as a share of the record for single game assists and single game goals.

“I want to do as well as I can and as far as I possibly can in my soccer career,” Strait said. “Soccer is what I live for; it is my passion, and I want to play it as long as I possibly can.”