greenvilleonline.com

3Mauldin High School senior Sarah Schaidle has been selected the 2008-09 Gatorade South Carolina Girls Soccer Player of the Year.

The award recognizes athletic excellence, academic achievement and character on and off the field. Schaidle is now a finalist for the Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year award to be announced later this month.

Schaidle, a midfielder and forward, has scored 12 goals and registered six assists this season for the Mavericks, who are 15-2 and ranked No. 2 in Class AAAA heading into Wednesday's second-round playoff match against Ridge View.

Schaidle is a three-time Class AAAA all-state pick and a two-time All-South selection by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. She is the second Gatorade South Carolina Girls Soccer Player of the Year to be chosen from Mauldin, joining Kimmy Gillespie, the 2003-04 winner.

Schaidle, who signed a national letter of intent to play at College of Charleston, maintains a 4.95 grade-point average. She has volunteered teaching Spanish and giving swim lessons to area youngsters in addition to donating her time to a local animal shelter and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.