PARKERSBURG — Fans of the Parkersburg South girls’ soccer team the past four seasons probably came to the conclusion rather quickly forward Aiyana Lauderman had a Division I career available to her if she wished one day. The Patriot senior, who led her team in scoring the past two years, was a driving force behind her team’s back-to-back Region IV championship game appearances the past two seasons. While neither trip produced a regional title, Lauderman’s skills were evident. Her athleticism, drive, versatility, talent, desire to improve, work ethic, and intelligence on the pitch combined to form a player few could keep up with at the high-school level. South girls’ soccer coach Ron Bucholtz thought the same thing as his teams’ fanatics. He knew after Lauderman’s freshman year big things were in her future. “When you have been coaching and playing for years like I have you tend to get a good sense for someone’s ability as an athlete alone,” said Bucholtz. “Just seeing the athleticism in someone gives them the baseline skills to develop into a special player. Football, soccer, baseball, basketball skills can then be trained into a player. “She (Aiyana) has worked very hard on her soccer skills to bring herself up to the Divison I level in addition to having the potential to be there one day.” It wasn’t a coincidence the Patriots’ 2017 Class AAA All-State First-Team utility selection improvements aimed at a preparedness for the NCAA’s top tier either, according to Lauderman. “I always wanted to sign D-I,” she said. “I never wanted to go anywhere else, but I never knew it would actually happen.” The amount of interest she received from D-I schools left little doubt where she would play the game she loves for the next four years. Five top-tiered schools had eyes on the South senior in Louisville, Kentucky, Seattle, Niagara and Northern Kentucky. Her wish came true the first time after a verbal commitment to Louisville early last fall. However, she was on the hunt again by Christmas. Earlier this spring, Kentucky and Seattle appeared to be her final two, but this changed after Lauderman participated in the State Cup on June 2. West Virginia University’s Nikki Izzo-Brown was in attendance at the event held at the Paul Cline Memorial Complex in Beckley. Shortly afterward Lauderman was offered a spot on the Mountaineers squad, which she accepted Wednesday as she signed her National Letter of Intent inside the South cafeteria. “It is a relief,” said Lauderman on finally having a solid decision. “It was really tough. I was on the edge here and there and I didn’t know where I wanted to go, but finally committing to WVU and having them give me an opportunity is a great feeling. I always wanted to go to WVU.” Although unsure whether or not she will start her career on the top team or spend time on the Mountaineers’ developmental squad right now, she will know sooner rather than later. Her team membership officially begins when she reports to camp this Sunday. “It depends on how I produce when I get up there,” said Lauderman. “I am excited. I have worked for this my entire life and spent a lot of free time with soccer. It is definitely going to be a challenge.” One she is well equipped for before she has even stepped a foot on the Mountaineers’ pitch. The ability to create her own shot, play multiple positions, and an alpha dog mentality should give her a leg up on any unfortunate enough to be matched up with her one on one for a spot on the A team. Biology with an eye toward pre-med will be her course of study during her stay in Morgantown. “It has always been medicine ever since I was little,” shared Lauderman.