Fritz leaving Tritons early for FSU
Mariner High’s girls’ soccer program is losing its most productive scorer in history in just a few days.
Early graduating senior Holly Fritz is heading to Tallahassee to continue her soccer career at Florida State University starting in January.
“I’m looking forward to training with FSU and just start college because it is a new experience and quite different from high school,” Fritz said.
Just last season, as a junior, she broke the all-time Lee County scoring record of 153 goals. She has added to that mark ever since and now has 176 goals with just a few games to go before she leaves.
“The record shows all the hard work has paid off,” Fritz said. “I have had an amazing team behind me setting me up enabling me to set this record.”
Tritons coach Jefferson Swift thinks the record will stand for a long time to come. She also was a two-time FACA All-State first team selection.
“Holly is a four-year varsity starter/letterman and has been an unparalleled contributor to our program over the last four years,” Swift said.
In addition to her contributions on the field, she has earned a 5.08 GPA and is involved in countless student organizations and activities like National Honors Society and student government, among others.
The school has scheduled a celebration of Fritz at 1 p.m. on Tuesday in the school cafeteria.
Looking back, Fritz said, “I will remember I got to play with my sister as a freshman and sophomore. I love my team this year, everything about it is special. I’m going to spend my last few games just enjoying them and having fun, just go out and do what I love, which is playing soccer.”
Fritz has played the game since the age of 4 or 5, starting in the Cape Coral Rec leagues, some with the competitive Cyclones program, and the last three years with the Sunrise team in Fort Lauderdale. Last weekend was her last competitive game for them.
Fritz, who will major in exercise science on the pre-med track, is going to FSU early to train and get used to the program, her new position and the collegiate game before the fall season. She is one of very few county athletes committed to Division I schools that is the reigning NCAA?national champion in her sport.
“FSU coaches say they like that I’m a versatile player, can play many positions,” Fritz said. “But they like me as a defensive center midfielder instead of forward like I played in high school. They play a couple of spring games that the freshmen get to play in.”