Taylor Selby

Women's Soccer By John Davis, Oxford Citizen

Lafayette's Taylor Selby headed to NWCC

OXFORD – Taylor Selby's left foot ultimately garnered her a scholarship. The Lafayette defensive standout is staying local, headed to play at Northwest Mississippi Community College for coach Levi Nunnally.

Selby was a key part of the Lady Commodores' success in 2014 and coach Melinda Scruggs said Nunnally liked that Selby was left footed, and a strong defender in the back of the formation.

"She can serve the ball. She can serve long balls like crazy. Just being able to clear the ball out of the back on the left side has just been awesome. He also needed a back, he needed somebody in the back that was going to be strong and defensive player," Scruggs said.

"In the last couple of years, I could tell she had a passion for the game. I could tell that in training that she wanted to work and get better. I think she was confident on the field this year. It was just electric and all the other girls fed off her. I think that's where she stepped up and was what I really need this year. Only having two seniors in this class, I didn't have much of the older leadership and she really was able to do that. Every player on this team respects her. They listen to her and they all feed off of her work ethic."

Scruggs felt like Selby could step in right away and help out the Lady Rangers on defense.

"I think for her it's about confidence and for her to take the confidence that she had here to go where she's going now," Scruggs said. "I think she's always been wondering if she can get to the next level and now she needs to have the confidence that she's at the next level and work hard and prove that she deserves to be there. I think she will do great."

Selby said she got a really good vibe about the Northwest program when she went on her visit to Senatobia. She also liked Nunnally and what he was trying to accomplish as a new coach.

"It was a fresh start, and I felt that. It was a good feeling I got," Selby said. "I want to obviously give 100 percent, always, as a freshman and to do my best coming up. I think I'm going to probably play defense. I'm not really familiar with the way that they play, but I think it will be a good adjustment. I'm usually on the left side because I'm left footed."

More success as a senior allowed Selby to feel like she was going to be able to land a scholarship.

"Personally I just felt like the effort and my high school team has really built me up to be a strong player," said Selby, who was looking into to coaching and teaching as a profession. "I had some friends that have already graduated from (NWCC) and that did play a part. They really liked it."