Staff photo / Dan Hiner Warren G. Harding’s Sophie Gardner, right, signs her letter of intent to continue her academic and soccer careers at Lake Erie College. She was joined by her mother, Lisa Gardner.

WARREN — Over the course of the summer, things started to click for Warren G. Harding senior Sophie Gardner on the soccer pitch.

Jump ahead several months, and Gardner made one of the biggest decisions of her life. On Wednesday, inside the Student Recreation and Wellness Center, she signed her letter of intent to play soccer at Division II Lake Erie College.

“It was a long process, and even stressful at times, but I’m really glad I decided to commit to Lake Erie,” Gardner said. “It’s a really great college, and I’m really excited.”

The Storm went 3-13-2 last season and 1-11-2 in conference play. Gardner expects to play center-mid since that was her position at Harding. But she admitted that her versatility could result in another position at the next level.

“The soccer program is definitely up and coming, and I want to be a part of that and help them build,” Gardner said. “The school aspect, the academics, really excited about that. And my brother (goes there) too, so that’s a pretty good thing too.”

Gardner is coming off a strong 2024 season for both the boys and girls soccer teams at Warren Harding. She scored 15 goals for the girls as the Raiders posted a 7-9-2 record.

She said the improvement started in the club season of her junior year. And after the seniors graduated following the 2023 campaign, she knew she needed to step up to help lead the team this past fall.

“Until then, I never really achieved the heights that I wanted to. I definitely was always a good player, but I transitioned to the next level,” Gardner said.

The coaching staff saw the talent over the years, but it was her soccer IQ that became even more impressive.

“Started as a freshman, was an instant contributor,” Harding girls coach Kevin Brown said. “On- and off-the-field leadership. Her knowledge of the game is next-level. I know a lot of people say ‘It’s like having another coach on the field,’ and it’s cliche, but it really was. If she saw something in-game, she would run over and mention something. Maybe send some subs in, because she saw something or something wasn’t working right.

“If we needed a goal, she was there. If we needed help on defense, she’d help out back there. She’d play every position.”

Gardner will be on a pre-med track with a focus on chemistry. She wants to go into radiology afterward.

BORSIC’S A TOMCAT

Gardner wasn’t the only Raider to sign on Tuesday. She was joined by Jacob Borsic, who signed with Thiel College to continue playing baseball.

Borsic will join a program in Greenville, Pa., that’s been in a rebuilding process for the past several seasons. The Tomcats are 1-4 so far this year after going 15-24 and 10-10 in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference last spring.