Oakwood striker Evan Southern commits to Saint Louis University

Evan Southern, middle (courtesy photo)

After the Development Academy playoffs – held this past June in Oceanside, Calif. – wrapped up, Evan Southern caught wind that Saint Louis University was interested in him.

That prompted an overnight visit to SLU in late July, and upon returning to his hometown of Glastonbury, Conn., Southern received an offer from the Atlantic 10 program. The 17-year-old forward and captain wasted little time, verbally committing to the Billikens after scoring 12 goals for Oakwood’s U-17 team during the 2017-18 season.

“Right when I stepped foot on campus, it amazed me,” Southern said when reached by phone Saturday night. “After hearing everything the coaches had to say about the program and what the kids on the team said about the college, I didn’t want to have any regrets. I just knew I wanted to go there. I didn’t care how quick it was or how long it took, I just knew that was the program."