By Owen Gotimer
LoCoSports Editor-in-Chief
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Purcellville (November 8, 2015) –Loudoun Valley High School senior Morgan Widdifield has made a commitment to continue her soccer career at Clarkson University starting in the 2016-2017 school year.

“I’ve wanted to play in college ever since I could remember and being done with the recruiting process has lifted a huge weight off my shoulders,” the 5-foot-3 Widdifield said. “Now I can enjoy my senior year and not have to worry about applying to tons of schools.”

While considering a handful of schools to further her education, Widdifield visited Clarkson in September and felt it offered the best combination of everything she was looking for.

“I wanted a school with strong academics and a soccer program that would give me the chance to play and maybe start in games. Clarkson provides a perfect balance between academics and athletics and even has a Division I hockey program that puts most college football programs to shame,” Widdifield said. “Coach Sarah Raymond really knows the game of soccer, and the team plays a possession based style of soccer that benefits my skills. It was an all-around perfect fit for my needs.”

Widdifield will join Raymond – who played for the Australian National Team from 1991 to 2001 including appearances in the 1995 and 1999 World Cup tournaments – in Potsdam, N.Y. next fall. The pair hopes to help the – extremely young – Division III Golden Knights improve on their 8-7-2 record in 2015.

“I plan to add a physical and mental toughness to the back line, along with my ability to attack as an outside defender, which would help connect the back line with the midfield line to create more scoring chances,” said Widdifield who plays club for FC Virginia.

Girls Soccer: @LVHS_Jungle senior (and @LoCoSports copy editor) @MorganWiddifiel has made a commitment to D3 Clarkson! #LoCoCollegeCommit

— LoCoSports (@LoCoSports) September 27, 2015

Throughout her high school career, Widdifield has helped Loudoun Valley put together a few impressive seasons including a Conference 28 tournament championship and an appearance in a VHSL 3A East region quarterfinal last spring as the Lady Vikings finished their 2015 campaign 13-6-1.

Loudoun Valley will have their work cut out for them, reclassifying to the VHSL 4A this year, meaning the Lady Vikes will have to compete in Conference 21B with two of Virginia’s top programs including the 2015 VHSL 4A state runner up Heritage and the 2015 VHSL 4A state champion Loudoun County.

“Last season was our best season in a long time, and I hope that I’ll be able to help the team continue that streak through my senior year,” said Widdifield who was named second team All-Conference 28 and All-LoCo honorable mention in 2015. “I would also just like to enjoy my last season as a Viking.”

A northern-Virginia native, Widdifield got the inspiration to play soccer while watching her older sister play at a young age.

“I wanted to be just like her. I began to love the sport, and basically, quit every other sport I played to be able to have enough time for soccer,” Widdifield said. “I love absolutely everything about soccer, and I’m super excited to be able to continue playing the sport I love through my college years.”