When it comes to soccer, Adairsville High's Shelley Huskins was the classic late bloomer, not playing the sport in high school until her junior year.

But bloom Huskins did, so much so that the former Lady Tiger will continue her athletic pursuits at the next level.

She signed a combination academic-athletic scholarship Wednesday to attend Reinhardt University in Waleska.

Maj. David Sexauer, Adairsville's girls soccer coach and a JROTC instructor, feels the Lady Eagles' program will be a perfect fit for Huskins.

"She needs to be at a place that will allow her to develop at goalie," Sexauer said. "She's still somewhat new to the game. ... She needs a lot more work (on her fundamentals).

"That's gonna help her become a great goalkeeper."

"I was looking (for) a school that was close (to home), with good academics ... not a party school," Huskins further explained of her decision to attend Reinhardt.

Huskins, who was on the basketball and track and field teams during her prep career, tried out for the soccer team a day before its first game a year ago.

She made her start as the Lady Tigers' goalkeeper the following day.

"Major (Sexauer) is my ROTC instructor and our center midfielder is my best friend," explained Huskins of what led her to the soccer field.

"I had known of her," Sexauer admitted. "I always look to the basketball team for that undiscovered athlete (who can come out for soccer). ... She kind of got encouraged to give it a shot."

Huskins did more than just give it a shot, using the athletic ability she displayed on the basketball court to help her in the goalie's box.

"If you can take a hard pass (in basketball), you can take a hard shot (in soccer)," Sexauer said. "She kind of gravitated to goalie."

Being in the box, however, took some getting used to for Huskins.

"At first, I was really scared because there are a lot of things you have to do (as a goalie), like go out (of your box) and dive for balls," she said.

That initial fright eventually dissipated as Huskins completed her career with the second-most shutouts in school history.

The Lady Tigers had eight shutouts the last two seasons, according to EurosportScoreboard.com.

"I think that our players had confidence in her," Sexauer said. "They played better when she was in goal. ... She stayed calm under pressure.

"She has had a great experience with soccer in high school ... and (she) discovered soccer late. ... We went 10-8 (during the 2010 season). She was a large part of that success."

"I think it's the aggression and the speed that makes me want to (play soccer)," Huskins said. "It never really stops."

The recent Adairsville graduate is anxious to play at the next level.

"I'm looking forward to playing on the big fields," she said.

The Lady Eagles, who went 5-9-2 last fall, play in the Appalachian Athletic Conference of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

Huskins, who plans to major in pre-med with a focus in biology, has something to look forward to off the field, too.

"I'm looking forward to going to medical school after Reinhardt," she said.

Huskins said her combination scholarship will take care of most her costs, save for around $1,000.