Former Quinlan Ford player named All-District
Eiland’s brother rushed for 1,026 yards for Lions
WAXAHACHIE, Texas — The Southwestern Assemblies of God University women’s soccer team has signed a Dallas area prep star to a National Letter of Intent for the upcoming season.
Head Coach Mandy Fortner , who is entering her third year at the helm, is assembling a roster with plans to build on last year’s 6-11-1 team.
SAGU is moving from the Red River Athletic Conference to the Sooner Athletic Conference , considered to be the premier league in the 300-member National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).
Sharaya Eiland , who split time between midfield and defender, will join the Lady Lions this coming season.
A graduate from Ford High School in Quinlan (pop. 1,370), Texas, she is a former Panther standout.
Eiland (AHY-luhnd) won several honors from the coaches in District 21 (Class 4A).
She collected First Team All-District honors twice, Second Team once and was also an Honorable Mention choice during her career under Ford Head Coach Melisa Turner .
According to Turner, “Sharaya has been a great team leader and player here at Ford.” 
Coach Fortner says of Eiland, “She is very aggressive and is strong on the ball as an attacker. Sharaya will most likely be battling for a role at forward or as an outside midfielder.”
Eiland, who was born in Mesquite, Texas, has benefitted from playing club soccer for FC Mutiny and Head Coach Todd Brunskil .
Quinlan (KWIN-luhn) Ford, east of Dallas, between Rockwall and Lake Tawakoni , has produced another athlete familiar to Lions fans.
Chris Eiland (26), Sharaya’s (shah-RAY-ah) brother, rushed for 1,026 yards and averaged 5.7 yards per carry for SAGU in the fall of 2007.
The daughter of Lance and Benita Eiland plans to major in ministry at SAGU, following years of prior experience as a worship and praise musician as well as serving an internship at Discovery Camp (73 miles west of Houston).
SAGU players will report to pre-season camp on August 12, a week after some players team-up for a week of service and outreach in Leakey, Texas .
Fans will learn of more recruiting news this week as other signees will be announced.
The team schedule will be released shortly. SAGU’s first day of school coincides with the Lady Lions’ first home match.
Contact : Mark “Link” Warde , SAGU Sports Information Director, at [email protected] or at 469-658-2847
