LH senior Ferris selects Pitt-Johnstown
Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder made the song, “That’s What Friends Are For,” famous with their version in 1985, but if you ask Laurel Highlands senior Morgan Ferris, she would most-likely say, “friends are for helping you continue your academic and athletic careers in college.”
Ferris, who was an All-County and All-Section performer for the Lady Mustangs at center back, turned to one of her compadres for advice when she was in the process of selecting a college to continue her academic and soccer careers.
“Grace Bosnic, who is one of my friends, attends and plays soccer at Pitt-Johnstown,” Ferris said. “She is a sophomore there. We had worked out together over the summer. She played for Connellsville in high school, but we have known each other for a while. We talked about her playing at Pitt-Johnstown.”
Ferris will have the opportunity to play with Bosnic, as she signed with the Mountain Cats last November to continue her academic and soccer careers.
Ferris received her offer to play at Pitt-Johnstown from Mountain Cats head coach Aideen O’Donoghue during her junior year, and it didn’t take long for the Riverhounds Academy player to answer.
“When she gave me the official offer, I said, ‘yes,’ right away,” Ferris said. “I am very excited and really blessed to have the opportunity to study and play soccer at Pitt-Johnstown.”
Ferris, who was “relieved” after signing in November, will be reunited with Bosnic.
“It will be really nice to play with her,” Ferris said.
Ferris is not too shabby in the classroom either, as she sports a 4.4 GPA.
Ferris began playing soccer in an indoor league when she was four-years old at the North Union Township Recreation Center. She progressed to the outdoors leagues and hasn’t looked back.
“I started playing and just fell in love with the sport,” Ferris said. “I always wanted to play in college, but I think it really started to become something I knew I could do during my freshman year of high school.”
While playing for her school has been a job, Ferris developed her game with the Riverhounds Academy. The club level is where most players are noticed by college coaches. Ferris has been with the Riverhounds Academy for nine seasons.
“You are playing at a very high level with the Riverhounds Academy, and everyone that plays at the club level is looking to compete at the next level and beyond,” Ferris said. “The Riverhounds Academy helped me develop as a player. I learned the fundamental and technical aspects of soccer while I played for them. It also helped with recruitment.”
Ferris credits a former Riverhounds Academy player, who is now a professional, in serving as an inspiration.
“I really look up to Tessa Dellarose (Brownsville graduate who plays for the NWSL’s Chicago Stars),” Ferris said. “She is from the area and has gone on to play at UNC (University of North Carolina) before turning professional. I actually had the opportunity to train with her a couple of times, and that was really cool.”
Ferris, like Dellarose, plays defense, which doesn’t always attract attention from those who don’t follow the sport closely, but she is more worried about the team than receiving individual praise.
“I was recruited to play midfield in college, which I have done along with being a defender, but the focus of those positions doesn’t really include scoring,” Ferris said. “I believe every position is very vital on the field, and as long as you are helping your team win, that is what is important. If we limit the other team’s opportunities to generate offense and get the ball to our forwards, that is a great day for our backline and midfielders.”
Ferris competes for the track & field team at Laurel Highlands in the 1,600 and 3,200 relays, and the 800-meter run.
“Track & field helps me stay active and in shape,” Ferris said.