Shakirah Salandy didn't start playing soccer at North Davidson until her junior year, but her background in the game runs much deeper.
On Tuesday night, she'll have a chance to show her skills as one of two area players — along with Megan Flanders from East Forsyth — in the annual East-West Girls All-Star Game at UNC Greensboro. Kickoff is set for 6:30.
Salandy, who has signed to play soccer at Jackson (Miss.) State of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, led North Davidson with 29 goals last spring and helped the Knights to a 14-6-1 record and an NCHSAA playoff berth.
She started her high school athletics career on the track, running the 100-, 200- and 400-meter dashes as a freshman, but sat out her sophomore year after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in her right knee while playing club soccer.
After recovering, Salandy gave up track to concentrate on soccer at North, saying it had become too time-consuming to play both sports.
Greg Beall, North Davidson's coach, said he first met Salandy during tryouts before her junior season and that she needed time to adjust.
"I think it took her the first season to get to know the girls and the staff," Beall said. "The girls all knew she was good. A lot of players with her talent have a chip. They enjoyed trying to support her. She was a true leader."
And even with 29 goals, Beall said, Salandy never broke away from the team concept. Samantha Barron, who will play at Converse, and Shelby Knowles, a rising senior at North, each had more than 20 goals.
"Of her 29 goals, she maybe had four or five breakaway goals," Beall said. "She created that after the top third (of the field) with her speed and athletic ability."
Beall had a young team last season and said that many players called Salandy "Mom."
"It was kind of a joke around school," Salandy said. "We only have two seniors on our team, so I was adopted team mom."
She also said the nickname made her proud.
"It really does touch my heart. I brought it up in my Senior Night speech," she said. "It really makes me feel proud."
In addition to her club and high school experience, Salandy played soccer for Trinidad & Tobago's U-17 team; her parents, Andy and Eulith, are natives of that country. Her father played soccer at Appalachian State in the late 1980s and now coaches a team at Triad Elite.
Salandy credits her father for sparking her love for the game, and said they have continued to work on skills this summer in preparation for Tuesday's all-star game and Division I soccer.
Salandy originally committed to play at Furman but changed her mind after talking with coach Adeniji Olagbegi of Jackson State and visiting the school.
"I really liked Furman. I actually visited Furman multiple times," she said. "It (Jackson State) is much bigger. I just thought it would be a better fit for me."
Salandy said she thinks the all-star game will be a good steppingstone for her future.
"I've been working hard this summer," she said. "I think I will be able to handle it. I think the all-star game will be a good way for me to handle what I am getting into."
Beall said Salandy is a tribute to how far the program at North Davidson has come and that she'll be integral to what North Davidson does in the future. Beall presented her with papers for playing in the all-star game, and she said her teammates "freaked out" and were "stoked."
"It is a proud moment for the (North Davidson) program, and I am proud for Shak," Beall said. "I hope, ultimately, she has a good time with it."
Salandy said: "I feel like it's going to be a big high. There's nothing to feel nervous about. I am just excited about being able to play."