East Ridge senior to play soccer for Tennessee Temple UniversityEast Ridge High School senior Sage Vandergriff signed scholarship papers Friday afternoon to continue her soccer career at Tennessee Temple University.
Vandergriff had double-digit goals and assists totals as the Lady Pioneers went 12-4-2 this season. She also has played for the Express 94 Shockers.
"She's got great skill with the ball. She's been a very good winger for us for three years," East Ridge coach Jeremy McIntyre said. "She's got good aggression and good power on her shots, and off the field she's a great student and person. She definitely deserves to play at the college level."
Hiwassee College also offered her a scholarship, Vandergriff said, but she picked Temple because "I like the atmosphere a lot. I like that it's small and I like the Christian aspect, and I like that it's in my hometown. And I like the girls and the coaches."
Temple coach Emmanuel Awotula praised her quickness and on-field creativity.
"Her pace will bother some of the defenders we face, and her ability to whip the ball in the box will help us continue to score more goals," he said. "And we love getting local kids to help our program."