For nearly a year, Baylor senior Caroline Scales has known where she was going to play college soccer.

Wednesday afternoon, the midfielder made it official. Scales signed scholarship papers with Georgia Southern University.

“It feels real now,” said Scales, who committed to the Statesboro school last April. “It’s a good feeling to know I’m finally getting this opportunity after working hard for so long.”

Scales was an all-state selection during her two seasons with the Lady Red Raiders, and her play at the center midfield spot helped the team to a 17-1-1 record this year as she scored nine goals. Also a captain of the East Ridge Express 91 select soccer team, Scales said her first visit to GSU convinced her she wanted to join the Lady Eagles.

“After their coach contacted me and I took my first visit, I felt like the atmosphere was really good, and the girls were so nice,” she said. “I could see myself really fitting in there. I took my official visit in October, and I fell in love with it all over again.”

After talking with the Lady Eagles coaches, Scales believes she’ll have the opportunity to contend for playing time as a freshman, and Baylor coach Jimmy Weekley agrees.

“She brings a lot of ability,” Weekley said. “I think she’ll fit right in with the things they want to do. She can do so many different things, and her ability to help a team possess the ball is going to help her get on the field right away. Caroline has been a great asset to our program. We’re sad to see her go, but we’re excited about the opportunity she has in front of her.”