GENTRY — Ana Linch is playing soccer at her third high school in four years as a forward for the Gentry Lady Pioneers this spring. The senior made sure she will continue that career at yet another school next year when she inked a letter of intent to play at Evangel University in a ceremony Friday at Gentry's Pioneer Activities Complex.
Linch played the last two seasons at Siloam Springs, the two-time defending Class 6A state champion. She played as a freshman at Mena, which finished as the 4A state runner-up.
Gentry coach Fabrizio Campagnola said Linch was more of a distributor for the Lady Panthers, but she has provided good scoring punch for the defending 4A state champions. The Lady Pioneers are 6-3 overall and 4-0 in conference heading into Friday's match against Danville.
"In the past, she played more on the wing," Campagnola said. "She's fast. She said she wasn't used to scoring so many goals. She was the one who would provide the assists. She can shoot from the right and left and from a distance. She has a very strong personality and is very competitive. She's adjusted to playing with a different team very well."
Linch said she plans to study for a career in the dental field and the scholarship made Evangel a good choice for her since she can continue playing soccer and prepare for a career.
Sports on 04/27/2016