If ever there was an athlete from central Vermont who seemed destined for the California sun, it's Harwood grad Sophie Lisaius.
One of the hardest working Highlander athletes I've seen in my five-plus years with The Times Argus, Lisaius will take her bubbly personality and outstanding work ethic to the University of California-Davis as a recruit for the Division-I Aggies field hockey program.
A Times Argus Player of the Year, Lisaius will open her collegiate career in Davis against Pacific on Aug. 26. She returns to the east coast three days later to play at Providence on Aug. 29. The Aggies will play just three home games - the Pacific game on Aug. 26, Stanford on Sept. 25 and Cal on Oct. 23. Last season, UC-Davis went 7-10 overall, 2-4 in-conference, 1-2 at home, 4-4 away and 2-4 on neutral fields.
This is Sophie's bio in the release UC-Davis issued on Feb. 4 announcing the recruiting class:
"Sophia Lisaius, F, 5-8, Warren, Vt. (Harwood Union HS)
Lisaius, a 5-foot-8 forward, comes from Harwood Union High School in S. Duxbury Vermont. Harwood Union has been a perennial championship contender in Vermont, winning the state championship in 2010 and 2008. Lisaius helped lead her team to an overall record of 13-1-3 and 16-0-0 in 2010 and 2008, respectively, en route to state championships. She recorded 15 goals and 13 assists in 2010 and was named Player of the Year in Vermont. Lisaius also was First Team All State and a Twin State Player in 2010. In 2008, she received Player of the Year honors for the first time in Vermont, after seven goals and six assists. Her seven goals and nine assists in 2009 helped land her First Team All State honors as well. Lisaius was a honor roll member in all four years of high school.
"Sophia brings a wealth of knowledge to our line up," said Campos. "She is a versatile player that has strength, speed, skills and intelligence on the field. She is a two time Player of the Year in Vermont, but still very eager to learn and excel more and more at this level. Her outlook on getting better and being the best that she can be will help carry the Aggies in the next few years. We are pleased to sign her to our 2011 class and look forward to see her succeed."
We know her as Sophie, and we know she'll do well. Good luck from all of us in central Vermont!
-Anna Grearson