Girls Soccer: Dominion Junior Maria "Mo" Pinkston to Play at NCAA Division I VCU Starting in 2012

photo courtesy Mark Luger

Sterling (Mar. 4, 2011) – Dominion High School junior Maria “Mo” Pinkston, an All-Dulles District midfielder/forward and leading scorer for the Titans, has verbally committed to play soccer in 2012 at NCAA Division I Virginia Commonwealth University.

“Mo is a dynamic force to be reckoned with,” said Dominion head coach Kelly Beauchamp Payne. “She is a creative attacker who is able to break down another team's defense and find the back of the net. Her leadership and work rate combined with her talent make her a triple threat to any soccer program. I am excited to watch her join forces with the VCU women's soccer program ... they are lucky to have such a player.”

Pinkston led Dominion the past two years in both scoring and assists and was named team Most Valuable Player both years. She is also a standout midfielder on the top 10 nationally-ranked VSA Heat club soccer team.

“It only took me a few hours with Coach Sahaydak to know that VCU is where I belong,” said Pinkston. “The atmosphere at VCU is friendly, yet competitive. I think they are a team on the rise.”

VCU is led by co-head coaches Tiffany Roberts-Sahaydak and Tim Sahaydak, a husband and wife team entering their fifth year at the school. The two coaches bring an expectation of success to the program, both having played at the highest levels in their soccer careers.

Tiffany played collegiately at North Carolina, winning four ACC titles and two national titles. She went on to play on the U.S. National Team, winning an Olympic gold medal and a World Cup championship. Tim also played at North Carolina and on the U18 and U20 U.S. National Teams. He played professionally for the MLS Columbus Crew, Miami Fusion, FC Dallas and DC United.

Pinkston considered Missouri, West Virginia, George Mason and Old Dominion before choosing Virginia Commonwealth.

“I am really looking forward to playing for Tiffany and Tim," said Pinkston. "VCU is a very young team, and by the time I get there I expect them to be in contention for the Colonial Athletic Association championship, as well as the NCAA tournament.”