Wise to take defense to start-up program
Whitney Wise wanted to start something new.
Greenbrier soccer player Whitney Wise sits between her parents as she signs a scholarship to play for Armstrong Atlantic State University.'s new soccer program.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
The Greenbrier senior has been part of one of the state's elite soccer programs for four seasons. But when it came to choosing a college, she went with the exact opposite.
Wise recently signed with Armstrong Atlantic State University, which will field a soccer team for the first time next year.
"It is exciting to be a part of a program that is just starting," Wise said. "It is also near the beach and near Georgia Southern. I wanted to get away from my friends so that I could focus on college but I still wanted to be close enough to visit."
Wise said she will major in medical technology, which was another reason she was drawn to play for the Pirates. She also received interest from Georgia Perimeter and Limestone College.
"I'm really proud of Whitney," Greenbrier coach Alex Heider said. "She is the ultimate team player and she deserved to continue playing in college."
Heider approached Wise earlier this season about switching positions from an attacker to a stopper.
"I felt we could become a better team with Whitney as a defender," Heider said. "She has really made our team better since the move. The most impressive thing is that she never complained about moving from a goal scoring role."
Wise had 38 goals scored heading into this season and has started 61 of 66 games at Greenbrier.
"The move has been really good," Wise said. "Coach said he really needed me back there. I told him, 'Do whatever will be best for the team.'"
No. 7 Greenbrier has gone 5-0-1 since Wise's move to stopper and are poised for another deep run in the state playoffs.
"We had a great season last year," Wise said about the team that made it to the quarterfinals before losing on penalty kicks to St. Pius X. "But we think we can get back there this year. You think that every year you are at Greenbrier. And you think that you can win a state title."