Sierrah VanGesen signs NLI to play soccer for Vandals

SANDPOINT — Sierrah VanGesen has known where she wanted to play Division I soccer for over two years — on Wednesday she made it official.

The Sandpoint striker, who transferred from South Kitsap High School in Port Orchard, Washington, over the summer, signed her National Letter of Intent to play for the University of Idaho next fall.

VanGesen verbally committed to the Vandals in the spring of 2019 during her freshman year at South Kitsap, so putting pen to paper was just the finishing touch.

VanGesen has played soccer since she was 4 years old and making it to the collegiate level has always been a dream of hers. She recalls telling her middle school teachers constantly about her aspiration, and now it has come to fruition.

VanGesen said soccer runs deep in her family and her dad, Jon, helped spark her passion in the sport, and over the years, the people around her have allowed her to reach new heights.

"The coaches that I had pushed me to be the best that I possibly could be," she said, "so it just made me want to work more for something higher."

VanGesen met Vandals head coach Jeremy Clevenger during a showcase her freshman year and they formed a close relationship that made her feel like the U of I was the place for her. She also said she's had several teammates over the years who have played for the Vandals, making her even more comfortable with her decision.

VanGesen has quite the history when it comes to playing for high-level teams. From 2016-2021, she was on the Washington Elite Player Development team and for four years she played club soccer for Washington Premier in the Elite Clubs National League under prominent coach Scott Ford. She tallied 16 goals and 10 assists during her time with the Premier.

VanGesen is fresh off a season with the Bulldogs that saw the team fall one game short of a trip to state. She netted six goals in 10 games to help Sandpoint achieve a perfect 12-0 regular season.

VanGesen is currently playing club soccer with the 2003/2004 Spokane Sounders national league team, alongside Coeur d'Alene Charter star Rebekah Hines.

The SHS senior hasn't completely decided on what she will study at the U of I, but she is interested in pursuing something related to computer science or coding.

Transitioning to a new high school is never easy, but VanGesen has thoroughly enjoyed being a Bulldog, especially when she was on the pitch this fall.

"This season was my favorite season out of my four years at high school," she said. "I've never met more hard-working girls who want to win and want to go to state."