Former Blair Soccer Star Has Potential to "Become One of Towson's All-Time Greats"

Even during the early part of preseason practice, Towson University women’s soccer coach Greg Paynter could tell that Sofia Read was anything but your typical freshman.

“She came in and has done really well,” Paynter said. “She came in super fit, has been really competitive in all of our sessions and has really made a name for herself early on.”

Read, who graduated from Montgomery Blair High School in the spring, was a four-year varsity player for the Blazers’ soccer team and finished her high school career as one of the top goal scorers in school history. Her 56 career goals tied a school-record. She was also a three-time All-State selection, earning second-team accolades as both a sophomore and as a junior before receiving first-team honors as a senior.

With Read, a forward, serving as its offensive catalyst, Blair reached the Class 4A West semifinals during each of the last two seasons.

Now, Read is hoping for similar success at Towson, both individually and as a team.

“First of all, I’m just looking forward to getting on the field and getting some experience and some games under my belt,” Read said. “I definitely want to play, and I’m going to push myself so that I can earn more playing time. I just hope to be able to be part of a winning team, and to be able to contribute as much as I can, whether it’s scoring goals or assisting on goals,  just contributing to the team as a whole.”

And although she’s just a freshman, Paynter envisions Read playing a substantial role for the Tigers this season.

Towson’s first game is against Loyola Aug. 20.

“Sofia’s been a very bright star for us during the preseason,” Paynter said, “and she’s certainly put herself in the competitive mix for not only considerable playing time, but to also be in the starting lineup. She’s certainly going to be someone we’re counting on immediately to have an impact on our team.”

He added, “She’s shown a maturity on the field, especially with her decision making, that puts her well ahead of where most incoming freshman are at this stage. She’s also a player that really combines her size, her strength and her speed and is really just a very well-rounded athlete. And, in combination with what we already have on our team, she’s going to be a real threat for us up top.”

Paynter also sees Read as having the capability to contribute, and excel, at other positions as well, including midfield and on defense, but, regardless of where she ends up on the field, he envisions her having an extremely successful career during her time at Towson.

“I don’t think there’s any limitation to what she can do at the college level, whether it’s at forward, as a midfielder or even as a [defender],” Paynter said. “She’s a smart player and has all the physical tools that you look for. I think she has a chance to be a very good player for us and could possibly even become one of the all-time greats to come out of this program. She has that kind of potential.”