Senior Maddie Messier will lace up her cleats one last time in the spring for the Flucos before heading off to Virginia Military Institute (VMI) to play Division 1 women’s soccer. She made it offical Feb. 4 at Fluvanna County High School’s Signing Day. Messier will join the VMI cadets in the fall of 2017 to begin her collegiate career.

Messier has played a tremendous role in the success of girls’ soccer the last few years. Since being on the varsity squad, Messier has led the team in scoring her Sophomore year and tied her Junior year. She also won 1st team Jefferson District her sophomore year, and 1st team Jefferson  District and 1st team Conference her junior year.

Messier has worked hard on and off the field to become the player she is today. “I have focused on personal motivation, hard work, and dedication to be successful. I have gotten a lot of help from my family, especially my sister,” said Messier. (Her sister, Melissa, graduated from FCHS in 2011 and graduated in 2014 from Campbell University.) Messier has also played club soccer with SOCA and did Olympic Development Program within the organization. She and current teammate Lindsay Price have been together throughout their years with SOCA, and now for three years with the Flucos.

“I’ve played with Maddie for many many years. So when I got to high school, I was excited to be on the same team with her because we have good chemistry on and off the field. Maddie always tries to bring a positive attitude to practice and she likes to keep things light and fun while still working hard,” said Price, who tied Messier in goals last year.

One of Messier’s biggest achievements has come off the pitch as she has had to overcome two ACL surgeries. The first came at the end of her sophomore year on her left knee. The other injury happened on her right knee last July at a VMI soccer camp. “I was able to get through the surgeries, honestly, with my attitude and faith. Staying positive helps more than you think and being constantly surrounded by such supportive people is something you can’t take for granted. I definitely wouldn’t be where I am without my team, family, and friends,” said Messier. She is expected to be back and playing before the FCHS season opener in March. Her coach, Kristen Davis, is looking forward to her return.

“Maddie Messier has been a strong presence on the soccer pitch since joining the soccer team her freshman year.  Over the course of her years on the team, she developed from a talented soccer player to a talented soccer teammate who helped elevate the level of play for the whole team,” said Davis. As the 2016 season kicks into gear, look for Messier to continue her role of being a leader, both on and off the field.