Sarah Gaddis knew she wanted to play soccer in college and also knew she wanted to play with her best friend.
Tuesday that dream came true.

Gaddis signed a letter of intent at Eastside to play soccer at Point University just a few hours after Erin Elmore did the same at Young American Christian School.

“We’ve always wanted to play together,” Gaddis said. “We always visited schools together and decided to go to Point together.”

The two have played together at Rockdale Youth Soccer Association since the sixth grade and will be back together at the collegiate level starting in 2013.

“I’m excited; I really love the school and always wanted to play soccer in college,” Gaddis said. “I love the team and I’m going with my best friend.”

Gaddis has been a big part of Eastside’s success over the last couple of years, including the Lady Eagles’ run to the second round of the state playoffs in 2012. As a midfielder, she has been a strong part of Eastside’s play on the field and its attitude off the field.

“I’ve had the pleasure of coaching Sarah for all four years of high school,” Eastside coach Joel Singleton said. “She’s a wonderful young lady. She works hard — that’s one of her best attributes; she’s a hard worker.”

Her hard work is one of the reasons Point University coach Randy Douglas decided to add her to the 2013 recruiting class.

“I’ve heard a lot about her work ethic she has on the field,” Douglas said. “I know she’ll make the transition into school and the team easily.”

No matter how Eastside has been playing during her time, Gaddis continued to keep things positive through her leadership and hard work. That’s exactly what Douglas wants her to do at Point.

“No one outworks her,” Singleton said. “She remains positive when the game’s tough and things aren’t going her way, she works through it. She always has great things to say about her teammates and I venture to say her teammates say she’s a great teammate.

“She’s just a joy to be around, likes to laugh and have a good time.”