Stateside duo setting scholarship goals

Byline: By IAN HIRST Sports Correspondent

ZOE BARRATT is into another season at Oklahoma City University looking to achieve more accolades with the women's football team.

The former Huddersfield New College student has had an honourable mention three times in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics All American team, as well as winning the Sooner Athletic Conference defender of the year award.

She has also won the SAC most valuable defender award.

After going to America in 2005 to study in health and physical education, the central defender made an immediate impact on the football stage, being named newcomer of the year.

Taking the captain's armband, she led the Oklahoma Stars to the regional semi-finals for the third time in a row.

OCU coach Brian Harvey said: "She's had a wonderful three years for us.

"She is very determined to push us to the next level and get to the national tournament."

As one of the veterans, Barratt has helped turn around a poor start to the season for the Stars, going on a four-game winning streak.

During her time at Huddersfield New College, Barratt earned her scholarship to the States. She led the women's academy to the English College Football Association title, where the team were undefeated. She also came runner-up in the PFA/Adidas Scholar of the year awards.

Another footballer from Huddersfield, LauraHirst, is the latest to 'cross the pond' on a scholarship.

The former Greenhead College student from Netherthong, near Holmfirth, is attending Brenau University in Gainesville, Georgia.

Centre-back Laura, 18, is a first-year studying sports science and business studies and, in pre-season last month, trained three times a day.

With the season now under way, they train once a day, seven days a week, but only in the evening when temperatures have cooled!

Known as the Golden Tigers - Laura is No16 in the squad, which features mainly third and fourth-year players - Brenau are reaping the benefits of their hard work as the team have won three of their first four games.

They beat Brewton ParkerCollege 5-2, Bryan College 3-0 and University of Mobile 1-0.

Their only defeat came against Belhaven College, 2-1.

CAPTION(S):

ZOE BARRATT: looking for more honours in the States.; LAURA HIRST: now playing for Golden Tigers in Georgia.

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