The Chelsea Standard
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Manville signs with Eastern Michigan
By Don Richter, Sports Editor
PUBLISHED: February 15, 2007
If you met Maggie Manville on the street, you would thinks she's a nice, friendly young lady.
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But lace on a pair of cleats and face the Chelsea senior on the soccer field, and she'd be your worst nightmare.
Last week, Manville, 17, signed to continue her soccer career at Eastern Michigan University. The All-State goalie is only the second Bulldog girls' soccer player to sign with a Division I college. Leslee Parker (1998 graduate), also a keeper, who suited up for Butler University, is the other Chelsea player.
"I'm really happy with my choice," said Manville, who started playing goalie in the fourth-grade. "I honestly didn't think I would be playing college soccer. But I love soccer and I don't know what I'd do without it."
Manville (5-foot-8), who also considered the University of North Carolina at Asheville, said her older sister Sarah, a former Bulldog All-State goalie herself, who played at Florida Southern, encouraged her to pursue her college soccer dreams.
"It was then I decided to go big," said Manville, who carries a 3.4 grade point average. "I wanted to play Division I soccer. My sister told me to try for Division I because she felt I could play at that level. In Division I, I'll be able to push myself. I've never had anyone push me."
Manville, a two-time Chelsea captain, has been virtually unbeatable as Bulldog keeper. Last year, she posted 15 wins in 19 games, making 65 saves out of 79 shots on goal for a save percentage of 82. Her goals allowed per game was a school single-season record 0.74. She also had 11 shutouts tying a school single-season record.
"Maggie has terrific athleticism and excellent hands," said Chelsea coach Chris Orlandi, describing Manville's strengths as a keeper. "She loves our varsity team. No one has been more devoted to the program than Maggie."
Manville, who said good hands and quick feet were keys to being a top goalie, said simply being a part of the Chelsea soccer program has been special.
"The team bonding and the love that everyone has for the game has been most memorable," she said. "My teammates have helped me develop my skills."
Also special has been the moments Manville's spent with her older sister Sarah.
"She's definitely motivated me," she said. "I didn't have that drive that she did. I'm trying to get that from her. She definitely pushes me in conditioning.
"Growing up, we would shoot on each other. We still practice together. We'll go to the high school and take shots at each other."
It's those practices with her sister that have helped make Manville one of the state's top keepers.
"Maggie's passion for the program and her teammates is special," Orlandi said. "On the field, Maggie makes huge plays time and time again. There are games that we wouldn't have an opportunity to compete in if she weren't in back making saves and keeping us close."
Orlandi said he'd never forget a game against Temperance Bedford two years ago when Manville was a sophomore.
"We were winning 1-0 with seconds remaining," he said. "Bedford was awarded a penalty kick. Their best player hit her shot toward the corner to Maggie's right. Maggie sprawled that way, got her fingertips on it and clung to the ball to preserve the victory.
"I haven't seen a more dramatic finish in my coaching career."
Manville said she'd like to finish her career on top.
"I want to push myself harder this year," she said of her final senior season this spring. "Our team has been together since fourth grade. We're like a big family. We've known since middle school that we could do great things. We want to accomplish our dreams. We want to play in the state final. Winning states has been a dream."
Manville said the bigger the game, the better she likes it.
"I love the adrenaline," she said, of playing keeper. "When we're playing the big teams, the game is on the line and I stop the ball, it's a rush."
When asked to describe his standout keeper, Orlandi used two words.
"Determined and passionate," he said succinctly.
Manville said she's looking forward to her upcoming collegiate career.
"It'll be like living a dream playing Division I soccer," she said.
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