Three seniors on the North Royalton Girls Soccer team fulfilled their dreams earlier this month when they signed their college scholarship offers.
Jackie Clegg, Emily Mark and Keeley Malley inked their National Letters of Intent on February 2, in a signing ceremony in the North Royalton High School Gym. Jackie and Emily signed to play at Ashland University. Keeley plans to play at Malone University.
All three players said it was their dream to get a scholarship and play soccer in college.
For Jackie, her dream of playing college soccer began when she was a little girl. “My dad played soccer at Ohio State. Since he played in college, I wanted to play in college,” she said. Jackie described how she felt when she had pen in hand and was signing on the dotted line. “It felt good. Maybe a little nerve wracking, but good.”
Emily Mark started thinking about her college scholarship when she was in high school. “I worked hard during my high school years and before that to work up to this point. I’m proud of what I have accomplished,” said Emily.
Keeley Malley thought that her college dream could be a reality in her freshman year at North Royalton High School. “When I was a freshman, I started getting recruited. I was just hoping that I would find the right place, which I did.”
North Royalton Girls Soccer Coach, Pete Ragone, is glad to see three more of his players getting a scholarship to college.
“It’s always nice to have girls who want to play at the next level. For the last several years, we’ve had two, three or four girls move on and play at the next level. For so many girls growing up, this has been a dream of theirs. I’m very excited that these three girls are moving on to play soccer at the next level.”
Coach Ragone hopes that the underclassmen on this year’s team and even younger players will notice that this dream of a college scholarship can come true. “If they work hard enough for it, you can achieve it. You don’t make it just because. These girls have dedicated themselves. They play high level club soccer. They have prepared themselves to play at the next level and I am sure that they will do well.”
In case you didn’t notice, Jackie and Emily are both heading to Ashland University. There they will join two other North Royalton graduates on the girls’ soccer team, Juliana Markovic and Bridget McEldowney.
“I like going to the same college as Jackie” said Emily. “It’s like having a friend with you when you’re going to college.” Emily is undecided on a major.
Jackie said the nursing program and the soccer team at Ashland won her over. “The soccer program can be worked around the nursing program. I like the coach and the facilities. And the team was very welcoming.”
Keeley Malley said it was the family atmosphere of Malone that won her over. “And I know a couple of people who are going there. That was a deciding factor for me.” Keeley plans to major in Criminal Justice.
Congratulations to Jackie, Emily and Keeley. We wish you the best of luck at the next level.

By JOE JASTRZEMSKI
Contributing Writer