Rianna starts life in States on high

WEXFORD EXPORT Rianna Jarrett got life in the University of Tennessee Martin off to a flying start with two goals, including a winner in overtime against St. Louis.

The former Wexford Youths star, who was previously studying at Carlow I.T., was offered a scholarship by Phil McNamara, a Northern Ireland native who is head coach at the University's soccer program, the 'Skyhawks', after Youths’ cup final win against Castlebar at the end of last season.

Following lots of consideration, Jarrett felt the opportunity was too good to turn down and she will continue her studies, majoring in Sports Management, in Tennessee for the next two years. The game against the Missouri college was Jarrett's first since she left for the States three weeks ago. She got her first goal in the 17th minute to equalise an opening minute St. Louis strike.

Later in the half her saved shot helped to give UT Martin a 2-1 lead with her team-mate Olivia Bohlman finding the net with the rebound. And after St. Louis equalised six minutes from time, the Wexford town woman fired home the winner in sudden death overtime.

Her coach, McNamara, told the University website after the game that ‘you could say Rianna Jarrett was the difference in the game, she obviously was with two goals and an assist, but too much weight on her shoulders'. The game was broadcast live on the school's website.

For Jarrett it was a great start to a dream that she almost gave up on when she tore her anterior cruciate ligament in April, 2013. She missed most of last season while she recovered, returning in time to help the Ferrycarrig Park club to cup glory.

It is also a possible stepping stone to the lucrative National Women's Soccer League (N.W.S.L.) which is the United States’ professional league for ladies. For the near future Jarrett will concentrate on her studies and the enjoyment of playing with her new team-mates whom she admits she has bonded well with in the early weeks.

The next game for the Skyhawks is against Indiana State on August 31. Jarrett will hope to add to her goal tally and help her side to keep their Ohio Valley Conference title defence going strong in the early stages of the season.