By Matt Turer — mturer@ky3.com
@MattTurer
Bolivar, Mo. — Bolivar soccer star and very good watergirl Brionna Halverson made it official Wednesday. She’s a Saint Louis University Billiken.
Halverson signed her national letter of intent to Div. I SLU shortly after 2 p.m. on national signing day, surrounded by family and coaches inside the Bolivar High School auditorium.
“SLU is a great place,” Halverson said. “It has a great atmosphere. The soccer is great. Our coach is great. The whole part about SLU is just amazing, and I’m really looking forward to being there.”
Can’t wait to be a future bill! And it all starts today????????????
— Brionna Halverson (@brissc18) February 1, 2017
Named Class 2 first team all-state as a junior after a 57-goal, 11-assist 2016 season, Halverson has tallied 108 goals and 24 assists through her first three seasons at Bolivar. Also in 2016, she led the Liberators to their second district title in program history, ending Springfield Catholic’s seven year district title run in the process.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS FROM SIGNING DAY
Halverson is a three-year all-state selections and posted a hat-trick in last year’s sectionals against Rogersville.
A relentless worker with a history in track and field, Halverson is known for her early morning workouts, waking up at 5 a.m. for technical drills and a mile run.
Halverson first committed to SLU in September 2015. The D1 offer comes as no surprise for Halverson, who has even attended a 25-player camp held by U.S. National Team Under-17 head coach B.J. Snow at the U.S. Soccer National Training Center in Carson, Calif.
SLU is a member of the Atlantic 10. It last made the NCAA tournament in 2006. The Billikens are coached by Katie Shields, entering her fifth year with the program.
Bolivar opens its 2017 season against Monett on March 20, when it will look to build on last season’s 18-5 record.
“[I’m going to miss] everyone here,” Halverson said. “The laughs, the friends, the teachers. Just everything. The atmosphere at Bolivar is amazing and I’m going to miss it.”
With over 50 friends, teammates and peers watching, Halverson ended her signing day by addressing the crowd.
“Thank you for making my high school experience amazing,” she said. “I love all of you!”
