Huntingdon’s Terry pursues professional soccer goal

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Stacy Terry's collegiate soccer career ended in October. But his commitment to the sport and has only intensified in the past six months.

Terry has continued to train in pursuit of an opportunity to play at the highest professional level. The next step toward his goal begins Sunday when he plays his first game with Bridges FC, a pro academy based in Illinois.

"This is an opportunity I've been working for," said Terry, who scored 11 goals last fall to set Huntingdon's NCAA-era single-season scoring record. "I've wanted to play professionally since I was little and this is the next step. I've put in a lot of hard work and I'm going to continue to work hard."

According to its website, Bridges FC has a player-pool of about 200 players from 15 countries. Several of those players have signed professional contracts. The team will compete in the United States as well as Europe this summer.

Terry said he is excited to have the opportunity to travel abroad and compete against professional teams in Germany, Holland, Sweden and Switzerland.

"When I was 15, I traveled to Germany with a U18 team and I didn't want to come back. It was great," Terry said. "I've never been to Holland, Switzerland or Sweden, so I'm looking forward to going there and seeing new places. I wouldn't be able to go experience these places without soccer and I'm really grateful for the opportunity."

In addition to playing with Bridges FC, Terry will also have the opportunity to compete in the 2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Tournament with the Madison 56ers. Terry played for the 56ers in the National Premiere Soccer League last summer, helping lead the team to the NPSL semifinals.

The US Open Cup features 68 teams from MLS (Major League Soccer), NASL (North American Soccer League), USL-Pro (United Soccer Leagues Professional Division), USL-PDL (United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League), NPSL, USASA (United States Adult Soccer Association), USSSA (United States Specialty Sports Association) and USCS (United States Club Soccer).

The 56ers were one of eight NPSL teams chosen, based on their success during the 2012 season. The 56ers will begin play in the U.S. Open Cup on May 15 in Iowa against the Des Moines Menace. The winner will advance to the second round on May 21. The championship will be held in early October.

The championship team will receive $250,000 and the runner-up team receives $60,000. According to the 56ers website, the amateur team that advances the farthest will receive $15,000.