By MICHAEL BOYLAN

Sports Editor

Diana Chang, a recently graduated senior from Fayette County High School, has gotten used to honors and accolades over the years. Chang was a midfielder of the Fayette County Lady Tiger soccer team and the Region 4-AAAA MVP the past two years.

“I never thought that I would win it in my junior year,” Chang said. “There was a little more pressure in my senior year, but I played for my team and never really concentrated on it.”

Chang was a member of the varsity squad since her sophomore year. She has been named to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's all-region team the past three years. This was the first season that she was selected for the Georgia high School all-star team. Not bad for someone who started playing soccer because she was jealous of the attention her brother got for playing soccer.

Chang started playing soccer at the age of 9. She played for the Lightning Soccer Club but now plays club level soccer for Tophat, based in Buckhead. She scored 13 goals and recorded 10 assists this year for the Lady Tigers. She plays a more defensive role for her club team, though, usually residing at sweeper.

“Soccer keeps me focused,” said Chang. “It makes we work harder at schoolwork, it relaxes me, and it's a challenge. I love challenges.”

Soccer isn't all that Chang is about, either. She finished in the top 5 percent of her class and graduated with honors; she gives piano lessons and hangs out with her friends, though there isn't always a lot of time for that.

She says that the best memory of her team is from the South Carolina tournament this season. “The team really came together at the tournament,” said Chang. “We went 2-1 in the tournament, but it made a big difference in our play this year.”

Chang is heading for the hallowed halls of Princeton University this fall. She plans to major in biology or chemistry and go pre-med. She has met the soccer coach and will play soccer for the school. Once a Tiger, always a Tiger.



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