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A new car may be in Maggie Brown's future.

"I remember telling my parents when I was younger that when I get older and get a Division I scholarship, they would buy me a car," Brown said. "I'd always say that to them every year. It's always been my dream to play college soccer."

Mission accomplished.

Brown, a senior-to-be at Lakota West High, verbally committed to Ball State University June 11, and will join prep teammate Brigit Reder, who committed there June 9.

Brown cannot sign a national letter-of-intent until February of 2009.

"When I went on my visit, it felt like a huge family," said Brown, who will receive a full scholarship and major in exercise science. "I got to meet with the girls and the coaches there, and it reminded me a lot of my high school team. They're all close and all get along. I liked that a lot."

Brown, a three-year letterwinner for the Firebirds, chose the Cardinals over Cincinnati, Central Michigan, Akron and Toledo.

"I think it's a great fit for her," West coach Tara Schafer-Kalkhoff said. "She's a kid unfortunately who missed most of the season for us last year. She's really going to come into her full potential this year and it will be her time to show what she's all about. A lot of people haven't seen that yet."

Brown was never 100 percent healthy as a junior, as she dealt with what was believed to be pulled muscles in both her quads. But it turned out she had stress fractures in her femurs, and she missed the next 4½ months.

Brown, who plays for Ohio Elite Academy, returned to the field in time to participate in the Blue Chip Showcase.

"Since I play center mid, I open up the field," Brown said. "I can look both directions, and I'm good in the air, too. Overall, I'm a pretty smart player. I'm not a selfish player. I like being the person to set up goals."

About the Cardinals

New coach Michael Lovett inherits a squad that went 26-9-5 the past two years, becoming the first team in MAC history to win two straight outright regular-season titles. In 2007, the Cardinals were 13-5-2 overall and 9-1-1 in the MAC.

"I expect to be challenged every single day," Brown said. "There's going to be changes this year, and I'm excited to fit the changes they make. I'm excited for that challenge to step up and make an immediate impact my first year. It's going to be hard and I'm going to have to work hard."

West's Brewer now headed to UC

Schafer-Kalkhoff also said senior-to-be Christine Brewer, who had originally committed to Ohio University back in March, has decided to play at Cincinnati.

"Either program would have been a good fit," Schafer-Kalkhoff said, "but UC is right at home and her family will be able to come. I do think a lot of these kids want to stay close to home. I think it's a great fit for her."

Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5113 or smatthews@coxohio.com.