Cherry Hill West's McGlinn feels at home at Temple

Cherry Hill West senior Sarah McGlinn likes being in the middle of the action on the soccer field.

She wanted the same for her college life.

"It's the city, there's always something going on," McGlinn said of her decision to sign Wednesday with Temple University on a soccer scholarship.

McGlinn committed to the school in 2014 but made her official visit to the North Broad Street campus last weekend. The trip only cemented her belief that she wanted to continue her athletic and academic career at Temple.

"I fell in love with the place," McGlinn said. "I felt right at home. It's what I wanted - a big school with a football team, a Division I soccer program, a college in the city with a lot going on."

McGlinn was a standout center-midfielder for the Lions.

"She was the core of our team," Cherry Hill West coach Marie O'Neill said. "She made everything happen. She always was two steps ahead."

McGlinn said she liked playing in the middle of the field, which enabled her to impact the game at both ends.

"You get to play both offense and defense," McGlinn said. "You can control the game. I love being involved in everything."

McGlinn said she also chose Temple because of its proximity to her Cherry Hill home.

"It's just the right distance away," McGlinn said. "I didn't want to go too far away from my family because I know they want to watch me play."

McGlinn said signing with Temple will be a "dream come true" as she always wanted to follow in the footsteps of her father, Chuck, who played soccer at St. Joseph's.

"It's an incredible feeling," McGlinn said. "I always wanted to play at a Division I school and now it's really happening. I can't believe it's true."