Messer excited to be a part of Highland’s inaugural soccer program

By Andy Brown
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Updated: March 23, 2020

Andy Brown / Louisburg Sports Zone

Louisburg senior Morgan Messer signed her letter of intent to play soccer at Highland Community College this fall.

Five years ago, Morgan Messer and her parents were one of several Louisburg families that helped raise money to begin the Louisburg High School girls soccer program.

Messer, along with many others, helped start something new that turned into a powerhouse program in Class 4-1A rather quickly that produced three state final four appearances and two state-runner-up finishes.

It was a time that was special to the Louisburg High School senior and she is hoping that same success translates to the college level.

In front of family and friends in a signing ceremony at Louisburg High School, Messer signed her letter of intent on March 11 to play soccer at Highland Community College. She will be a member of Highland’s first women’s soccer team as it begins its inaugural season this fall.

“I think it is kind of cool that my family was one of the ones that helped start Louisburg girls soccer and now I am going for the start of Highland’s program,” Messer said. “All of the players will be freshmen and it is cool to make history again like that.

“As I go in it is a brand new program. The thing that stuck out to me was the coach’s passion for the game. He pointed out some things that I didn’t see in myself and it really showed that he cared. It is cool to see how small their class sizes were and that you would have a lot more 1-on-1 time with professors. It all just seemed like a family.”

LHS senior Morgan Messer signed her letter on intent with Highland Community College during a ceremony on March 11. Seated next to Messer (from left) is her sister Brianna, and her parents David and Amee Messer. Standing is assistant coach Michael Pickman and head coach Kyle Conley.

Before this all came about, however, Messer wasn’t even sure if she wanted to play soccer in college. She didn’t know if the opportunity was going to be there, but decided to play in one last showcase tournament about a month ago.

That tournament changed Messer’s future for the better. Highland coach James Ross got a chance to watch Messer during the tournament and offered her a spot if she wanted it.

“I told him I had to think about it and talk with my parents because I had already told myself that I wasn’t going to play,” Messer said. “I went to go visit the next week and I just fell in love with the campus and the people.”

Shortly after her commitment, Messer began to connect with several other Highland players that would be a part of the school’s first women’s soccer team. She is not wasting time as she is already helping prepare for the historic season.

“I am hoping to be a leader on the team,” Messer said. “I have already started doing some of those leadership type roles in talking with the girls. I just want to try and have a positive attitude throughout the season as a team.”

Messer’s life changed in such a short time, and instead of preparing for life without soccer, she gets the chance to play her favorite sport a little bit longer.

“At first I didn’t think I would be playing college soccer,” Messer said. “I never had the mentality that I would be going to a big university or something like that, but my coach gave me this opportunity to pursue what I loved. He saw some different things that coaches usually don’t see in me, so it is very exciting.”