*Logan officially became a part of SFA soccer when she signed her letter of intent on November 10. Her father, Gregg, mother, Lindsey, and brother, Knox, were by her side on signing day.*

Everyone loves a good sports story, especially when there is a triumphant ending. While Logan Pilgreen’s sports story is far from over, there is most definitely a triumphant bow to tie on the end of her high school career: she graduated this past December a semester early, and is now headed to Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, to play collegiate soccer, the first female Division 1 soccer athlete to come out of Texarkana.

Logan, the daughter of Lindsey and Gregg Pilgreen, has grown up in Texarkana with her brother, Knox. Her parents are co-owners of Sports Magic Screen Printing and Embroidery, and her grandparents own Redbone Magic Brewing. As if the family businesses aren’t hard enough work, Logan has spent her entire life so far playing soccer. She doesn’t just play soccer—she breathes soccer. “Soccer plays one of the biggest roles of all in my life,” Logan said. “My entire life pretty much revolves around soccer. It’s my way to breathe, and in a way, escape from real life.”

*At 12 years old, Logan fell in love with the sport of soccer. This was when she had her first thoughts of becoming a college athlete.*

Logan has sacrificed a lot over the years to get the opportunity to play at a collegiate level, but she says it has all been worth it. “Soccer is the reason I push myself in school; I have to do well to pursue my dreams,” Logan said. “By no means has this been an easy ride, but I have just set my mind to what I want to accomplish. I’ve sacrificed birthday parties, sleepovers, get-togethers, school dances. Even my senior year of high school is being cut in half, and I won’t get to play my last season of high school soccer, and through all those inconveniences, I have never thought twice about the situation I am in. I believe that God gave me this ability, and it comes with downfalls, but I have the mindset that those things are put in place to guide me exactly where I need to be.”

*When Logan was 6 years old, she was a member of the Pink Panthers soccer team.*

Logan admits that soccer is her way of relaxing, as well. “It is a relief for me to be able to put my boots on at the end of a long school day and just let it all go,” she said. “The thing I enjoy the most about soccer is the challenge. It will never get boring because not a single game will ever be the same. The chase to be the best or over analyzing film to be able to save that impossible ball is worth it. I enjoy testing my limits and seeing just how far I can go. The feeling of accomplishment after you finally do what you’ve been trying to for the last 15 minutes of your training session is worth every minute of the pain. Sure, I lose games or mess up, have a bad practice, or get second in a tournament, but there is never a moment when I am on the field that I want to leave.”

Logan credits her parents, specifically her mother, for all the opportunities she has been afforded thus far. “My mom is my best friend; we have been through so much together,” she said. “With my dad coaching Knox, and our seasons going on at the same time, it has really been mom and me through it all. Mom and dad both sacrifice so much to get both Knox and I where we need to be.

Logan’s last game as a high school student was a game against Mount Pleasant. With Texas High up 1-0 and 4 minutes left in the game, a foul in the box was called resulting in a penalty kick. Logan saved it, and a photo shows her reaction. This is the moment she opened her eyes to really see what she could become.

“There have been plenty of times when I wanted to quit and just give up, but mom comes every time to remind me of everything I want. In Texarkana, the options of clubs and opportunities are very slim. My mom has allowed me to have so many chances to get in front of important people, and she’s given so much time creating highlight videos, sending emails, signing me up for camps, researching soccer to help me learn, paying for lessons, and so much more. Having a mom like mine is truly a blessing, and I pray every day that other kids get to experience a love like I do.

“My mom pushes me to be a better person, student, and athlete,” Logan said. “She never gives up on me and has my back through anything. She has taught me that I am not defined by my athletic abilities, but I am who I am because of my abilities.” Pretty powerful words from a 17-year-old girl.

Ellison Davis, Lexie Lansdell, Carrigan Brush and Logan have played soccer together since elementary school and finished it off together as members of the Tiger team. Logan admits that these girls will forever have an impact on her life.

As Logan looks ahead to her time at SFA, she is most excited about the opportunities on the field. She will compete for the position of goalie for the Ladyjacks. “I am excited to play soccer and it be a job instead of just for fun,” she said. “The levels of competition will rise, and I can’t wait for the relationships I will build.”

Ultimately, Logan’s immediate goals include beating out a senior for her spot on the field. Eventually, she hopes to make a career out of soccer. “My career goals are to move on after the collegiate level and play professionally,” she said. “One day, maybe I will play for the national team! I have no idea where I will end up, it all just depends on what comes of college, and what feels right at the time.”

For now, the next step for Logan is Nacogdoches, and a few big changes soon. “I will miss my family,” Logan said. “My whole life has been here and everything I have is rooted here. My people are here, and so it will be weird at first learning to live out of my typical routine but I don’t think I will have a problem adjusting. I am going to miss my goodnight and good morning hugs from mom and dad. I’m going to miss taking my little brother to school. I’m going to miss getting asked how school was when my parents get home from work. I’m going to miss family nights piled up in the living room and spending countless hours at Redbone with my grandparents. I am going to miss the back road trips and late night ice cream runs with my best friend. I’m going to miss nail dates and lunch with my grandma on Saturdays. I am really going to miss the car rides with my mom to games and practice. But there is an end to everything and mine just came a bit shorter than the rest. It is a part of sacrificing to chase your dreams, and I couldn’t be more grateful for this town and all of the things it has brought me.”

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Soccer is Life