Athlete Spotlight
Not many people make a five-hour round trip for work.
Greenbrier soccer player Stephanie Fransoso is in the Athlete Spotlight.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
Stephanie Fransoso does just that.
The thing is, Fransoso is only a junior in high school. Her version of work is playing soccer.
She plays club ball for the PTC Lazers Elite of Atlanta, a top 15 team nationally.
"The travel is something you just get used to," she said. "If you want to play the best competition, traveling to Atlanta is necessary."
Fransoso, who is in her third year in the Georgia Olympic Development Program, has already seen her play in Atlanta reflected in her play for Greenbrier High.
The junior forward recently broke Nicki Gray's school record for career goals. Gray set the record at 62 at the end of the 2004 season.
The record lasted about 10 months.
Fransoso tied the record with two goals against North Augusta and broke it with a goal over Effingham County. She started to add to the total with three goals against Ridgeview (S.C.) during the weekend.
"We have talked about her being the first 100 goal scorer for girls at Greenbrier," coach Alex Heider said. "She's on pace for that."
The junior scored 24 goals as a freshman and added 27 this past season - a single-season record at Greenbrier. She has 16 goals through 11 games and is on pace for 23 goals at the end of the regular season. She would probably break her own single-season school record in the playoffs.
Fransoso has been the offensive catalyst for a very young and very good Greenbrier team.
"I'm the only senior, so yeah, we are young," Whitney Wise said. "But those young girls are talented. We can win a state title this year, and they could win another next season."
No. 7 Greenbrier is 9-1-1 on the season and hasn't lost since Feb. 22 at No. 6 Lakeside, 3-2. The Lady Panthers are 6-0-2. The Lady Wolfpack tied another unbeaten team, No. 4 Providence Christian.
Fransoso's unselfishness also has been paramount.
"She's not only a goal scorer, she likes to set up her teammates as well," Heider said. "She loves to involve every one. She's a great hustler."
In addition to all of the goal-scoring records, Fransoso holds the third best single season assist total, with 13 last season. As of now, Fransoso is being recruited by Georgia State, Wake Forest, Tulane, Auburn and Charlotte.