WINCHESTER — Growing up, Emeryce Worrell never gave any thought to playing soccer in college.
As evidenced by the countless photos she wanted to take with family, friends and coaches on Wednesday morning, the Handley High School senior forward couldn’t be more excited about the reality of it now.
On the first day high school seniors can sign a National Letter of Intent, Worrell made her commitment official to NCAA Division I Auburn University
Though the Class 4 All-State First Team selection could not provide the details of her scholarship package, she said in May after she made her verbal commitment that Auburn was “very generous” with its offer. The Tigers are preparing for their 18th NCAA Tournament appearance under 26th-year head coach Karen Hoppa on Friday. Hoppa is 292-191-60 at Auburn.
“I never thought that I’d be here,” said Worrell of signing to play in college. “Not because I didn’t think I could make it. It just wasn’t something I was really interested in doing. So I think it’s just special that I was able to find a place that stood out to me enough to convince me to play.”
The 5-foot-4 Worrell said she first gave thought to playing collegiate soccer at the end of her sophomore year in 2023. She recorded 25 goals and 12 assists while earning First Team All-Region 4C honors for the Judges and also had success with the Virginia Development Academy based in Woodbridge. College coaches were able to begin recruiting her on June 15 of that year, and she realized based on the interest she was receiving that college soccer could be a worthwhile path.
Auburn associate head coach Ben Madsen emailed Worrell after the Tigers saw her play with VDA at a showcase tournament in Florida in January. Worrell was invited to take an official visit to the Alabama school in March.
“The campus is beautiful,” said Worrell of her visit. “But pertaining to the school, it matched all of the things I was looking for. It matched me academically, it matched me socially. The team is super welcoming, and there was so much camaraderie there. I knew it was for me. It was more of a gut feeling, but everything was just perfect there and I really enjoyed it.”
Auburn offered a spot on the team on that trip to Worrell, who will study biology in college.
“I think it will definitely set me on the track I want to go for pre-med,” said Worrell of Auburn.
Worrell also visited some schools in Virginia and out of state who made scholarship offers to her, but none could compare in her eyes to Auburn. She made her verbal commitment in May, just before she finished a junior season that was even more impressive than her sophomore campaign. Worrell ranked second in the area with 29 goals and led the area with 18 assists while being named the Class 4 Northwestern District Player of the Year.
Worrell likes that Auburn is a well-balanced team. She noticed that the Tigers had at least six players score during the preseason. In compiling a 12-3-4 record (4-2-4 SEC) record this year, the Tigers have nine players who have scored between three and 10 goals.
“Soccer is a team sport. That’s what I love most about it,” Worrell said. “Knowing that they’re able to share the victory throughout the team is just really important to me. And they’ve had a lot of success, so I’m excited for that.”
Several dozen people were excited for Worrell on Wednesday, including a mix of current and former high school and club soccer coaches, and track coaches. (Last year’s Class 4 state champion in the 55 meters and 300 indoors and the 100 outdoors, Worrell stated in June that she plans on focusing exclusively on soccer at Auburn.) Handley director of student activities Reed Prosser, new Handley head track coach and former assistant Lloyd Phillips and assistant soccer coach LA St. Hill each praised Worrell for being a role model in addition to being an exceptional person and athlete in remarks to the crowd.
Athletes from the Winchester area rarely continue their athletic career in the SEC. Nicole Hobson certainly isn’t surprised that Worrell is entering unique territory. She coached Worrell throughout her soccer career at Handley, including the last two years as head coach, before resigning from that position in July.
“I think that some people have an idea of being great, but they’re not willing to put all the sacrifice into it,” Hobson said. “I think Emeryce has earned it, because she put in the sacrifice. She gave up the time, she healed from injury, she puts in the extra work. She’s so deserving, and I’m excited to what her next level is. I’m excited to see another level of coaching for her, and what they can bring out of her.”
