MERRY HILL – It was only a few short years ago Lawrence Academy decided to field a varsity girl’s soccer team.

Last year the squad made some history when Jane Perry was selected to the North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association All-State team.

&uot;Being named All-State is an honor and to be the first for Lawrence soccer is just fantastic,&uot; Perry said.

Perry, who also saw action as a part-time starter for the Lady Warrior basketball team, said soccer was her favorite sport.

&uot;It’s my favorite because I’ve been playing it since I was nine years old and I’ve grown to become a better player over the years,&uot; she said.

Coach Chris Rahilly called Perry his &uot;most valuable player&uot; and credited her with being a factor in the team’s success this past spring.

While Rahilly was pleased with Perry’s performance on the field, she was also thankful for the skills he helped her learn.

&uot;My coach meant everything to me this season,&uot; she said. &uot;He’s helping me improve my soccer schools and doing a great job at it.&uot;

While working hard during the season to help the still relatively young Lawrence soccer program improve, Perry admitted being on the field was her favorite part of the year.

&uot;The games themselves, particularly when we played Rocky Mount, was the best part of the year for me,&uot; Perry said.

In addition to being selected All-State by the NCISAA and the team’s Most Valuable Player Award, Perry was named to the First Team of the All-Roanoke-Chowan Soccer Team where she was also selected as Best Keeper.

As she plans to return for next season, Perry is looking forward to getting back on the field.

&uot;I’m looking forward to talking to college coaches and to playing the sport for another season,&uot; Perry said.

Perry is the daughter of David and Teresa Perry of Colerain and will return for her junior season at Lawrence.