Watt scholarship for soccer

Bonners Ferry High School senior Briana Watt has accepted a two-year soccer scholarship to play for the Cardinals at Skagit Valley College in Mt. Vernon, Wash.

The scholarship pays for all three quarters and includes $1,000, which according to Cardinals soccer coach Tony Mulbreght, which is about as much as a junior college can offer.

The daughter of Brady and Darce Watt, has been playing soccer since she was 4-years-old.

Watt made the varsity soccer team as a freshman and played four years.

Watt, who played left striker, was being recruited by North Idaho College in Coeur d’ Alene when she got a phone call from Mulbreght. 

“My aunt used to work with Coach Mulbreght and she ran into him at a store in Washington.  During their conversation my aunt told him about my soccer playing,” Briana Watt said.

According to Watt, Mulbreght researched her record and talked to some people in North Idaho who knew about her talent.  Impressed, he immediately sent her a letter of intent. 

Watt helped her team get to districts every year and this year, the lady Badgers  made it to state.  Watt scored 19 goals and four penalty kicks for the season.

“I was invited to play in Mt. Vernon with the Cardinal team and I got the letter of intent before I played with the team,” Watt said.

“I feel very excited for her to come here and she came highly recommended by her coach John Lindberg,” said Mulbreght. “Her mother is from the Skagit Valley area and was on the first girls’ soccer team at Stanwood High School. So you can say that Briana is somewhat of a legacy.”

Mulbreght said he looks forward to working with Lindberg in the future.  Mulbreght is planning a trip in the fall to Bonners Ferry to scout a couple of senior girls.

“I will be watching the girls’ team play and scouting out talent,” he said.

 Watt will take classes in pre-pharmacy and hopes to major in pharmacy at a four-year college.

“I am stoked,” she said.  “I never thought I would get a scholarship because I live in such a small town, and my parents are excited not to have to pay for college for two years.”

Watt will move to Mt. Vernon after graduation.