By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
Toledo, Ohio---Abby Groll (Clay/Oregon, Ohio), a sophomore midfielder for the Owens Community College women's soccer team, has signed with Lourdes University to continue her athletic and academic careers.
"Abby brings a level of speed and technical ability to our team that will provide us with depth in the midfield," said Lourdes University head women's soccer coach Jackie Donovan via LourdesAthletics.com. "Captaining her previous team, her leadership and dedication will make her a fantastic addition to the program.
Groll departs Owens after guiding the Express to back-to-back Region XII tournament championship and NJCAA Division I National Tournament appearances. The team was 31-7-4 in her two seasons. A midfielder, Groll scored three career goals, including one match-winner, and added three assists during her career. She helped the Owens women's soccer team earn the Lea Plarski Sportsmanship Award at the national tournament as a freshman, as well.
Prior to Owens, Groll played at Clay High School, where she was an All-Three Rivers Athletic Conference (TRAC) Second Team selection as a senior after garnering Honorable Mention All-TRAC accolades during her junior season. She helped the Eagles win the 2012 TRAC and sectional championships and as the team's Most Valuable Player as a senior as well. Groll was a two-time TRAC All-Academic Team selection.
The Gray Wolves, entering their first year of play in the fall of 2015, have now signed four student-athletes from the Owens women's soccer team. Aside from Groll, Donovan recently signed Megan Soncrant (Clay/Oregon, Ohio), Kendyl Christian (Clay/Oregon, Ohio) and Erika Brinkman (Kalida/Cloverdale, Ohio). Another current Owens sophomore, Shelby Antonacci (Lake/Perrysburg, Ohio), recently signed with NCAA Division II Academy of Art University.
Brinkman, a goalkeeper, played two years at Owens before transferring to Purdue University Calumet for her junior year. She will now play closer to home at another NAIA school.