Del Valle soccer star Love’ Tovar signs with Southern University

Del Valle soccer star Love’ Tovar is on her way to Southern University after signing her national letter of intent in a special ceremony at the school Wednesday.

Tovar did not reveal ahead of time where she planned to sign. Instead, she revealed her decision moments before she put pen to paper by taking off her Del Valle jacket and displaying a Southern University shirt.

The university, which competes at the Division I level, is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Tovar said she’s excited about the program and fell in love with the city when she took an official visit.

“I love that it’s so green over there. It’s very beautiful, and I love the environment,” she said. “And everybody, when I went there for an official visit, they were all so welcoming, and I really loved that.”

Despite being a defender for most of her career, Tovar has still managed pour in more than 50 career goals with the Conquistadores.

She also overcame a serious ACL injury that cost her most of the 2018 season. But she says that experience could ultimately pay dividends in the future.

“It was a long journey with everything that I’ve gone through,” Tovar said. “And I know that if I just bring all that in and take it to Southern, it’s just going to make me keep working to get that starting spot.”

Tovar also was a kicker on the 2017 Del Valle football team, but she said she plans to focus solely on one sport in college.

“That would also be amazing if I was able to try out, but I’m just going to focus on soccer and my academics,” she said.

Tovar has helped guide the Conquistadores to district titles in soccer in each of the past two seasons, and the team currently boasts a 12-5 record in league action this year.