JEFFERSON TWP — Gabi Lassinger is all about challenges.

The Knoch senior is preparing to take on a couple of them as she signed a letter-of-intent Wednesday to continue her academic and soccer career at Lafayette College in Easton.

She becomes the first Knoch girls soccer player to ever receive a full scholarship.

“I’ve always enjoyed challenging myself,” Lassinger said. “I want to make a difference.”

A four-year starter as a midfielder for Knoch, Lassinger helped the Knights reach the WPIAL playoffs each season. She was the team’s Offensive MVP as a freshman in 2010 and its overall MVP in 2012.

Lassinger tallied 13 goals and 11 assists last season, 13 goals and eight assists her junior campaign.

“When she sets her mind to it, Gabi can do anything,” Knoch girls soccer coach Rich Kenzie said. “She’s a quiet, but very determined individual.”

Lassinger verbally committed to Lafayette in June before officially signing last week as one of five new recruits. The Leopards are graduating three seniors this year.

This is the first year Lafayette — a longtime member of the Patriot League — is awarding women’s soccer scholarships.

“We’ve been the only team in the league that hadn’t given scholarships,” veteran Leopards coach Mick Statham said. “Hopefully, this will help us become more competitive.

“Each year we add scholarship players, we should improve on the field.”

Lassinger is walking into a soccer program that is 37-88-16 in eight years under Statham, including 5-10-2 last season. Statham has had one winning season — 9-6-2 in 2011 — and his conference record is 7-44-7.

Lassinger is unfazed by such numbers.

“I saw them play a few games last year and the competition in the Patriot League is very equal,” she said. “They played a lot of close games and just didn’t get the luck of the draw.

“The girls work hard and they’re so nice. I’m confident we can come out on the winning side this coming year.”

Statham said Lassinger’s background in the game may give her an edge toward starting as a freshman. She will be moved from midfield to defense.

“We’ll start her off in the back, but things could change,” Statham said. “Gabi has a great attitude and she’s been well-coached. With Century United (club team), she was coached by Randi Rohm, a standout player at Notre Dame.

“The jump from high school to college is huge, but some players are prepared better than others. I’m anticipating Gabi will come in here and challenge for a spot right away. With a 26-player roster, that’s obviously not the case for everyone, but she should hit the ground running.”

“I’m hoping to get that starting spot in the fall, but I know I’m gonna have to work for it and earn it,” Lassinger said.

“I’m excited about my future there and what could happen in soccer and academics.”

Carrying a 4.3 grade point average in high school, Lassinger plans to major in chemical engineering. She is ranked fifth in her graduating class and is vice-president of the National Honor Society at Knoch.

Despite struggling on the field in recent years, Lafayette’s women’s soccer program continues to rank among the Patriot League’s best academically. The team had 22 players — including Seneca Valley graduate and freshman defender Melissa Lynskey with a 3.85 GPA — make the league’s academic honor roll.

“That school has excellent academics and I wanted to play Division I soccer,” Lassinger said. “This decision was a no-brainer to me. It’s a perfect fit.

“I’m taking on a challenging major and I’m going to have to budget time. The effort will be worth it.”

Other Division I schools that pursued Lassinger were Bowling Green, Kent State, Rider, Miami of Ohio and Canisius.

Kenzie believes Lassinger will continue to improve as a player at the collegiate level.

“She’ll never rest on what she’s already done,” he said. “Her accomplishment in landing this scholarship gives our program visibility, credibility.

“Gabi is always willing to listen and learn. She knows what to expect when she gets there. She’s starting from the bottom and will have to work her way up. I’m sure she will do that.”