BATON ROUGE — LSU head coach Brian Lee announced the addition of standout forward Sarah Benson to the women’s soccer team on Tuesday as the Baton Rouge native is set to compete for the Tigers beginning in the 2007 season.
Benson, who was named the Louisiana Gatorade Player of the Year as the state’s top senior in 2006, enrolls at LSU for the spring semester after spending her freshman season as a member of the squad at the University of Maryland where she appeared in five matches for the Terrapins.
“We’re excited that Sarah has decided to come home to Louisiana and represent this great university for the next three years,” Lee said. “It’s a goal of ours to have the top kids in the state continue their careers here at LSU and Sarah certainly fits that bill. She’s had a good start in her transition, and we’re ready to get her on the field in the fall.”
Benson wrapped up a stellar four-year career at Baton Rouge Magnet High School a year ago as the most decorated recruit in the state of Louisiana for the Class of 2006. She was a three time first-team all-state and all-metro selection under the tutelage of head coach Sheila Achee, while also being named a four-time all-district performer and two-time district MVP.
In addition to her high school exploits, Benson competed against some of the nation’s premier players as a member of the Region III Olympic Developmental Program Team in 2006 with appearances in exhibition matches against such college teams as nationally-ranked Texas A&M and Rice during the spring. She was also a member of the Region III ODP Pool in 2005.
Benson, who also led the Baton Rouge Soccer Association to three club state championships from 2004-06, said that she’s excited to be back in her home state where she is able to compete for a championship caliber program in front of her friends and family.
“I’m just happy to be back in Louisiana at a place where my friends and family will have the chance to see me play over the next three years,” Benson said. “LSU is a place that has always interested me, and I’m just thankful that Brian has given me the opportunity to come back home and compete for the Tigers.”