Charles Whisnand
Douglas High graduate Amber Gwinn has never doubted that playing soccer at Lassen Community College was the right decision.
There's certainly no doubt that Gwinn made the right decision now since she has earned a scholarship to play Division I soccer. Gwinn signed a letter-of-intent on Tuesday to play at Sacramento State.
"I'm really glad that I made the decision to come to Lassen," said Gwinn, who credited her development to Lassen coach Ben Wade. "I feel like I've learned som much and improved tremendously. I worked so hard to become the player that I am."
Sacramento State noticed Gwinn's play at Lassen where she helped lead the school to the California state championship game this past season. An attacking midfielder, Gwinn was one of the state's leading scorers and earned second team All-American honors this past year.
Gwinn also played in the Sophomore Bowl, a showcase for Northern California's top community college sophomores in which the could display their talents in front of coaches from four-year programs. Gwinn had an assist and goal in the game and was voted as the contest's co-Most Valuable Player.
Sacramento State's coaches came to watch Gwinn throughout the playoffs, the state Final Four and the Sophomore Bowl.
"They showed they were really interested in me," Gwinn said. "I knew that they were watching me. They made a big-time effort to come watch me play."
Other schools that showed interest in Gwinn included Lincoln Memorial University in Tennessee, San Francisco State and Hayward State. Gwinn said she wanted to stay close to home.
"I don't feel comfortable going far from home," said Gwinn about why she chose Sac State. "When I went down for my visit, I really liked the campus. The girls made me feel really, really welcome. I am very happy."
Gwinn will continue to be an attacking midfielder for Sac State, which plays in the Big Sky Conference, and it's hoped that she makes an immediate impact.
"They feel like I'm going to help them a lot coming in," she said. Gwinn said the program also liked her work ethic.
Sac State offered Gwinn a scholarship that covers her tuition and books. Gwinn said her goal at Sac State is to "play my heart out the next two years."