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THE VILLAGES, FLA. — Savannah Shaw has played an integral role in the turnaround of two sports programs at The Villages High School. Shaw helped the VHS volleyball team to its first winning season as a junior in 2009 — a feat the team repeated in 2010. Now Shaw is on the verge of leading the VHS girls soccer team to its first winning season. The team has already established a single-season record for victories with eight and needs to win one of its two final regular season games to guarantee finishing above the .500 mark for the regular season.
“When I look back on it from where we started in volleyball and in soccer and to see where we are now, it’s really amazing,” Shaw said. “It’s been a great experience to be part of two teams and to see how everybody grew and matured and improved. It’s hard to put into words. It’s just a great feeling to be part of two teams that came so far. And I hope that even after I graduate, the enthusiasm and the determination that us seniors have continues for years to come and they’ll have even more success.”
Shaw, a senior goalkeeper, is one of the key reasons for the Buffalo’s increased success this season.
“She’s a big reason why we set a record for wins this year,” VHS head coach Amanda Peters said. “I haven’t added up my stats lately, but she has more than 200 saves this year. We know that with her back there in goal that nobody’s going to get any cheap goals. Everybody on the team is real confident when she’s back there.”
Shaw, who also plays softball for The Villages, said this soccer season has been the most rewarding of her VHS athletic career.
“It’s a big honor to be part of a team that set the record for wins,” Shaw said. “I started playing soccer my sophomore year and we’ve come so far the last three years. My first couple years we didn’t win that many games, so it feels good to now be a team that expects to win. It’s been a privilege to be part of this team.”
Shaw didn’t play youth soccer. But after joining the team as a sophomore, soccer quickly became her passion.
“When I first started playing soccer I remember my first game was against Trinity Catholic,” Shaw said. “I didn’t even know all of the rules of soccer. They just put me in goal and the only thing I did was try to catch every ball that came my way. I have learned so much since then and I think I’ve come a long way. And I’m still learning new techniques. I feel like I learn something in every game I play. And I hope to continue to grow as a soccer player in the future.”
Shaw plans to play the game at the collegiate level.
“I’m really hoping to get a scholarship to play soccer,” Shaw said. “Three years ago I never would have guessed that I would be where I am today or even have the possibility to play soccer at the college level. But now I’m confident it’s gong to be a reality and I know I can do it.”
Peters said she has enjoyed watching Shaw develop as a goalkeeper.
“The thing about Savannah is she’s very smart,” Peters said. “When you show her something, you only have to do it once and she’s got it. So she was a very quick learner at the position. I think she’s become an excellent goalkeeper.”
Shaw has one last goal as a high school player — to score. After the Buffalo took a 7-0 lead in the first half against South Sumter on Jan. 4, Peters pulled Shaw out of goal and put her at forward for the second half. Shaw had several chances to score her first goal, but was unable to convert. She hit the post on one shot and another looked like it was going in before the South Sumter goalkeeper made a diving save. Peters said she may give Shaw another chance to play forward on senior day at 1 p.m., Saturday when the Buffalo host Lake Mary Prep.
“That was so much fun. I had never played any position except for goalkeeper,” Shaw said. “I told coach when I first started playing, ‘If we’re ever way ahead you should put me up front so I can score a goal.’ Well she did it. I was very surprised. I had a couple that almost went in. I think it would be awesome if I can try it again. I’d love to see what it feels like to get a goal.”
NSR editor’s note: This article was written by Keith Pearlman, a sportswriter for the Daily Sun in Daytona, Fla. Savannah’s NSR scout is Shaun Kitchen, Area Scout in North Central Florida.
National Scouting Report is dedicated to finding scholarship opportunities for athletes who possess the talent, desire, and motivation to compete at the collegiate level. We’ve helped connect thousands of athletes with their perfect college.