Simpsonville's DeVita a Rising Star at Furman

Stephanie DeVita was an undisputed star as a soccer player at Hillcrest High. Now, just eight games into her playing career at Furman University, the Simpsonville native is fast becoming a monster on the collegiate level as well.

DeVita, who three times was named the Gatorade/ESPN Rise S.C. player of the year at Hillcrest, is so far this year highlighting a talented crop of freshmen at Furman who have helped propel the Paladins to a 7-1 start heading into Southern Conference play this Friday.

The freshman is making a name for herself at the national level as well. According to the NCAA, DeVita ranks high in several key offensive categories.

She is ranked 13th nationally in points per game. Her nine goals in eight games also rank her 5th in total goals nationally. And, in perhaps the most amazing category of all, especially for a freshman, DeVita ranks 1st in the nation in game-winning goals — currently at 5, all of which came in consecutive games.

One of those game winners came Aug. 24 when DeVita kicked an overtime goal, beating Clemson 1-0 (watch the attached video above).

"Stephanie is a unique player and one I knew would have an impact as she went to the college game," her coach, Andrew Burr, told FurmanPaladins.com. "But you never know what type of impact, and there's that acclimation period where everybody is a little bit quicker, a little bit faster, a little bit stronger. It takes some players half a season; it takes some players a full season; it takes some people until their junior or senior year until they've really adapted and figured out what the college game is all about.

"Stephanie needed about two minutes and she was up and running," Burr told the Web site.

It took DeVita just 60 minutes into her first match to score her first collegiate goal — and she did it on her first shot on goal. And, of course, the game-winner against Clemson is a highlight she won't forget.

"It was just amazing," DeVita told the Web site of the experience against Clemson. "I don't even know (what went through my mind as the ball went in the net). It's probably one of my best soccer experiences so far, just to help the team win. It was a big deal. We beat Clemson; we beat a team in the ACC…. 

Of her early success, DeVita said: "I've worked hard; I have high expectations for myself, so it's not that big of a deal for me. But I'm really thankful for it and I feel blessed."

To see her game-winner against Clemson, click on the attached video above. To read more about DeVita and the Lady Paladins, click here.