MVHS Senior Signs To Play Soccer For CSN

By CHARLENE PAUL

Moapa Valley Progress

At the tender age of seven, local youth Alexis (Lexi) Schraft set a goal. She wanted to, not only to to college, but earn a scholarship to play college soccer. On Friday afternoon, Schraft’s dream came true. She signed with College of Southern Nevada (CSN) to play soccer for the Coyotes.

Now in her senior year at Moapa Valley High School, Schraft is a vibrant, beautiful young woman who lights up the room when she walks in the door. She is driven, intelligent, kind, funny, athletic, and determined.

In her junior year, Schraft went one-on-one with a goalie and ended up breaking her leg. She was out for eight months. During her recovery period, she realized her chances for a full-ride scholarship to a large college soccer program were not so bright. So, she hit the books and started looking into smaller programs. She figured she would start small and work her way up.
“I decided to look at smaller Division I schools,” Schraft explained. “I applied in California, New York, Arizona, and I even visited Seattle.”

She was already in talks with CSN when she traveled to High Line Community College in Seattle where she watched a game and tried out for the coaches. There were two other girls who also tried out. Since they were from club teams in Nevada and Utah, Lexi said that she was skeptical about her chances.

When the head coach spoke with her, he told her he was letting the other two girls go, but he wanted Lexi to commit to red-shirting (sitting out) for the first year. There was no scholarship offered, but he did tell her she could have a job working at the school. The money she earned would go directly to the cost of her education.

She wasn’t too excited at having to red-shirt, so she once again set her sights on CSN. After watching a few of their games with Snow College and other Division I schools, she made her decision.
Lexi’s parents, grandparents, brother, and sister were with her on Friday as she signed to play for the CSN Coyotes.
“It was awesome!” said Lexi. “It was nerve-wracking until I signed, and then I felt so much more confidence. I have worked so long and so hard.”

Lexi will be moving this summer to be closer to the CSN Henderson campus. Her first practice is on August 1.
At MVHS, she has mainly played the position of striker or wing. But she isn’t sure what position she will play when she competes with the Coyotes. “They said I might think I know what best position is for me,” Lexi said. “But after practices start, we will find out what the best position is for me.”
“I am so thankful for my family,” she continued. “They have supported me all along the way. I couldn’t have done this without them.”

She is also grateful to all those who have coached and supported her.