A strict schedule, traveling to a different state almost every other weekend, hard work and, oh yeah, playing for a Division 1-A soccer team keeps GS graduate Sarah Artuso on her toes at Akron University.

Way before college was a concern, around the age of six or seven, Artuso started participating in soccer. During the time she spent at Greensburg Salem, she played center- midfield. For every other team, including club teams, she played outside-midfield; the position she currently plays in college.

Artuso started her freshman year playing for East Carolina University. Because she wanted to be a little closer to home and also because of the coaches, she then decided to move to Ohio her sophomore year and play for Akron.

“I really enjoy it. It takes up a lot of time, though; we pretty much travel every other weekend. All September we were home except when we went to Utah during the beginning of the season to play in a tournament, and the month of October all of our games were away,” she said. Most of the games played by Akron soccer are held in Michigan, Illinois and Ohio, but for tournaments, they can range anywhere from North Carolina to California.

Though it sounds like soccer takes up most of her life, it’s not the only thing on Artuso’s mind. She is planning to graduate with a double major in interior design and fashion merchandising. Her plans after college consist of “If all goes well, becoming an interior designer at an architectural firm; hopefully in New York or Chicago,” she stated.

As great as life at Akron University sounds, Artuso misses the little things that come from Greensburg. “I miss my parents being there when I need them. I also miss hanging out at Sheetz; that was always a fun time,” she said very sarcastically.

Artuso seems very content in college. “The only thing I don’t like is not having a car. Most of the places you can walk to, but, I mean, what if I want to go to Target on a whim?” she asked.

“Akron is great, I love playing soccer for our team; even if it is exhausting sometimes. When you grow up doing something you love for so long, no matter what happens, it’ll never be forgotten,” she commented.

Artuso plans to try her hardest at Akron to make her spot on the soccer team as significant as it was here at Greensburg Salem. Not only has she shown her true capabilities as an athlete, but she is also looking toward the future and a successful career.