Brooklyn Cornish did not have plans on attending a four-year university after high school.
That changed the summer leading up to her junior year at Manteca High.
She impressed coaches during a college showcase tournament. Suddenly, she was in the plans for NCAA Division I programs.
“Originally, I did not really want to go to a four-year college,” she said. “I wanted to be an ultrasound tech, and that (requires) separate schooling. Then I went to a showcase, and four or five colleges reached out to me.
Enough to offer scholarships. The following summer, more schools took notice.
Among them was the University of the Pacific, and Cornish committed to the West Coast Conference member this past summer. The standout centerback made it official on National Signing Day in November, and Manteca honored on Thursday at the main gym.
Sacramento State and San Diego State rounded out her final three.
“Going into my senior year, I was at another showcase and ended up to talking to UOP after a game,” Cornish said. “About a month after that, I went to visit and realized I love their campus, I love their coaches and I love being close to home.
“So, it was kind of like, ‘This is where I want to be.’ I realized that this is what I want to do, and everything just happened so fast after that.”
She was introduced as part of a nine-player recruiting class for UOP in January.
“Brooklyn has the presence and athleticism of a seasoned college player, and I love we got to keep a top local player here at Pacific,” head coach Jeff Freeman stated in a press release. “I’m excited to see what she brings to our team on day one.”
The Tigers were drawn by her commanding presence and vocal leadership in the back line. They are getting the reigning Valley Oak League Defensive Player of the Year who is a four-year starter at Manteca. Cornish was also a scoring threat on set pieces, contributing six goals and two assists to the attack as a senior.
Longtime coach Justin Coenenberg spoke about his captain’s toughness and communication skills on Thursday, also lauding her as the best defensive player to ever come out of Manteca High.
Cornish hopes to be an immediate contributor at Pacific, where she’ll study healthy sciences.
“Just looking forward to a new experience,” Cornish said. “How I can grow as a soccer player, but as a person, mostly.”
