Soccer: Three Permian players sign with colleges

Three members of the Permian Lady Panthers soccer team on Monday committed to continue their playing careers at the college level.

Midfielder Tasha Caulder signed a letter of intent to play at Eastern New Mexico University, while forward Marianne Hubnik and midfielder Lyndsey Thomas will stay in town after inking with UTPB.

Lady Panthers coach Chad Peterson said he hoped Monday's signings will serve as inspiration for the program's returning players.

"This is four years of hard work and this is what pays off at the end of it," said after the signings at the Permian library. "It's not just graduating and going on, it's graduating and doing what you want to do in life.

"If you want to play, that's fine. If you just want to get your education, that's fine, too. But doing both, that's even better."

Hubnik, who earned second-team all-district honors after missing all of 2007 following ACL surgery, Caulder and Thomas each had to contend with injuries. Caulder missed the first month of this season with an ankle injury, while Thomas was out most of the district schedule with a knee injury.

Peterson said their ability to come back and contribute helped Permian stay in playoff contention this season.

"We've been real fortunate the last two years that the girls we have and the girls coming up are very resilient," he said. "They're not going to give up. They're not going to fade away or just make up the numbers.

"All three of them, at some point in the last two years, suffered injuries that most people would have just packed it up and cashed it in with. But their desire to play and their desire to be part of a team - and part of a strong team - kept them coming back."