By Kyle LoJacono
About a year ago, Land O’ Lakes girls soccer player Jayme Forcier saw her older sister Nicolle sign to play at Mississippi Valley State University.
The younger Forcier must have liked what she saw as she signed her own letter of intent with the Delta Devils April 19.
“I first started playing because of my sister,” Forcier said. “I just kind of followed in her footsteps. Me and my sister work very well together on the field and we’re best friends. She knows where I’m going to go and I know if I get her the ball, she’s going to do something good with it.”
Forcier started playing soccer at age 4, and it is the only sport she has ever played. She is most comfortable playing defense or as a central midfielder, like her sister, but played more outside midfielder as a senior.
“She’s been a great player for us,” said Gators coach Vicky King. “We were lucky to have both her and her sister.”
The newly signed Forcier was born in Connecticut and moved to Florida in her eighth grade year. During her time at Land O’ Lakes, the Gators reached three regional tournaments. She scored seven goals and added two assists her senior season to help the Gators go 12-6-3 and reach the district semifinals.
“It’s been the best experience,” Forcier said. “Coach King has really helped me get better. Playing here in Florida, it’s more physical and competitive and she taught me how to use my strength to my advantage. It’s the reason I was able to get my scholarship.”
Mississippi Valley is a Division I program in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. The Delta Devils went 7-13 last year, but reached the conference championship game before losing to Jackson State University.
Forcier plans to study physical therapy and physical education so she can stay active in athletics.
“When I was younger I didn’t see myself playing in college,” Forcier said. “As I got older and saw that I could play with the better players it seemed more realistic. It’s really a relief to get the chance to keep playing.”
–All high school stats as recorded to Maxpreps.com by coaches.
