SACRAMENTO, Calif. – St. Francis senior soccer player A.J. Tanner has committed to San Francisco State to attend school and play soccer next fall. She will sign with the program on Nov. 14.
"I was getting looked at by a lot of different schools," said Tanner. "But I had that feeling it was home. I stepped on their field and talked to the coach. When my tour was over, I did not want to leave. It was where I wanted to go."
Tanner will join a program at San Francisco State program coached by Tracy Hamm. The Gators have had three consecutive winning seasons.
"Soccer has been a part of my life for as a long as I can remember," said Tanner. "I am so happy I get to continue playing for another four years."
The Division II school plays in the California Collegiate Athletic Association
"The coaches are amazing," said Tanner. "I am excited to go on my official visit at the end of the month. They made me want to work hard for them and give it my all and have fun. It was a nice environment. I know players in the program and players coming in. It makes me feel like it is my home away from home."
Tanner, who also plays for the San Juan soccer club, is a two-year letter winner for the Troubadours and returns for her senior season.
"AJ has all the tools to be a great college player, super coachable and open to playing whatever role is needed to make the team better," said Head Coach Maryclaire Robinison. "She is a great teammate to have and supports her teammates without hesitation. She also builds team culture thru her commitment and willingness to work. Her teammates look up to her and she has a nice way of pushing them to raise our team standard."
She has recorded seven varsity goals over 43 games with 14 assists.
"My favorite memory was my first Holy Cup at Hughes Stadium," said Tanner, who had a career-high two goals. "It was pouring down rain and I scored two of the three goals. Our sideline went crazy when we scored our third goal and it will be something I always remember."
Tanner plans to study biology with a possible minor in Spanish and hopes to go into the Air Force upon graduation. She was attracted to the close proximity of the campus to Sacramento.
The high school soccer season starts later this month and Tanner is part of a strong returning group that hopes to have a great season. She was a captain last season as junior and captained the junior varsity team as a freshman.
"With our returning and newcomer players, I think we have a really good chance of winning," said Tanner. "We are going for the banner."
Tanner will participate in the St. Francis Signing Day Celebration on November 14.
