In a brief ceremony on April 19, Dawson County High School senior and varsity soccer goalkeeper Fallan Lacey signed a four-year scholarship to play for Brenau University in Gainesville, making her the fourth Lady Tiger to enter the Golden Tiger program in recent history.
Lacey allowed only eight goals and was credited with eight shutouts as the Lady Tigers wrapped up the 2019 regular season undefeated in region 7-AAA at 6-0, an overall record of 12-1-1, and a No. 1 seed in the upcoming GHSA state playoffs.
Lady Tigers Head Coach Chess Hamby found himself tongue-tied with emotion in his opening comments and settled on a very brief summary of Lacey’s career before turning over the floor to Brenau’s Director of Athletics and Head Soccer Coach Mike Lochstampfor.
“Lacey has been so important to the team, both on and off the field,” Hamby said. “We are going to miss her.”
Lochstampfor also acknowledged Lacey’s on-field accomplishments in his opening remarks and then went on to talk about the relationship between the two schools forged between the two schools under former head coach Jed Lacey.
“On behalf of Brenau University, I want to congratulate (Lacey) on her accomplishments,” Lochstampfor said. “Today she becomes the fourth Tiger to come to Brenau and we are looking forward to having her on the field.”
“It was always a goal of Jed’s for Lacey to come to Brenau,” added Lochstampfor. “e talked about that on several occasions.”
Coach Lacey was killed in car accident in August 2017 and his presence overshadowed the event to create a bittersweet moment for Charlotte Lacey as she watched her daughter celebrate with her friends.
“I’m just glade to be here,” Lacey said. “Glad that we made it in one piece.”
Lochstampfor further mentioned the impending graduation of his current goalkeeper gave Lacey the opportunity to compete immediately for a starting position, a prospect that did not seem to phase her in the slightest.
“That’s fine. I like competition,” said Lacey. “It gives me a chance to fight for what I want.”