Greeneville soccer player Gabi Stayton thought her playing days were over when the Lady Devils were eliminated from the state tournament in October, but as she got further from the season the more she realized she wanted to keep playing.
On Friday afternoon she had a chance to sign with Pellissippi State Community College to extend her soccer career at least a couple more years.
“It’s pretty exciting, it feels like everything just became real,” Stayton said after signing on Friday. “Getting to take my talent to the next level, and getting to represent my family and my school at the next level means a lot to me.”
Stayton will be joining her brother Conner in Knoxville after he signed with the Panthers’ men’s program last spring. She feels comfortable with the school and soccer program, and hopes that will make her transition to the college game easier.
“Ever since watching my brother play there Pellissippi seemed like a fun program that I would enjoy,” Stayton said. “As my senior year went on I wasn’t sure if I wanted to play in college, but after talking with a friend that switched and Pellissippi was definitely the school I wanted to go to. I feel like I’ll be comfortable there and I know what I’m going in to. Having my brother there I think will help.”
The Lady Panthers are going into their third year as a program and went 7-4-3 this past season.
Stayton helped the Lady Greene Devils to four consecutive state tournament’s in her time with the program, and this past season she was named All-District 2-AA and All-Region 1-AA. She had five goals and six assists while leading Greeneville from the middle of the field.
She believes she will begin her career with the Lady Panters as a defensive midfielder.
“I went and practiced with them a couple weeks ago and played center back and midfield. I think they may be looking at me as a defensive mid,” Stayton said. “I’ve always been more of a defensive minded player, even though I love scoring. It’s a role I’m comfortable with, because I have played almost every position.”
Stayton plans to major business and want to go into medical sales when her academic and athletic journey finishes.
She likes the idea of taking care of her basic classes at the community college while she decides if she wants to pursue extending her soccer career at a four-year school.
“I like the idea of having two years to decide if I want to keep playing after that, but I’m not quite done yet, I know that. I’ll just have to see where this takes me,” Stayton said.
