Peifer to RMU
- 01 February 2008
Josh Peifer's competitiveness on the field played a large role in Ephrata's boys' soccer team capturing three straight Lancaster-Lebanon League Section Two titles from 2005-2007.Now, the competitiveness he sees in a certain coach is taking the Mountaineers' senior goalie to suburban Pittsburgh next fall.
Wednesday, Peifer -- a three-year starter who broke Ephrata's all-time career shutout record (35) last fall -- will sign a National Letter of Intent to continue his soccer and academic careers at NCAA Division I Robert Morris University.
Peifer, who also garnered interest from Rutgers, Maryland and Pitt, officially decided on RMU after meeting Colonials coach Bill Denniston during a Dec. 12 visit to the school.
"The way he talked, he was competitive," said Peifer, whose 0.48 goals-against average in his senior season helped the Mounts to a 14-5-4 record. "And that's what you want in a coach."
There were other reasons for Peifer's decision.
First is that he'll have a chance to compete for a starting spot as a freshman this fall. But even if he fails to take that spot from current RMU goalie Matt Felice, Peifer said he's been guaranteed the backup role by Denniston.
Then, there's the financial package he was offered, which will pay for just over 25 percent of his tuition his freshman year, before being bumped to a 75-percent scholarship (25 percent athletic, 50 percent academic) his sophomore season. He can increase those funds his junior and senior years depending on his performance.
All of the aforementioned scholarship money, however, is contingent on Peifer increasing his SAT by 30 points when he next takes them in March and boosting his current 3.48 grade-point average to 3.5 by the end of the school year.
We here at www.ephratamounts.com are proud sponsors of the Dodgeball for Diabetes tournament.