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NEDERLAND — Chloe Gomez worked for the past 15 years, putting herself and her soccer ability in position for a college opportunity.

So, naturally, she was thrilled Friday afternoon when she signed a scholarship offer to play for the LSU Eunice Bengals women’s soccer team.

“It’s been my dream since I could put cleats on, since I was 3,” the 18-year-old shared just before the signing. “It is just an amazing opportunity. I’ve always had that belief that I could get to where I am. That is why it has always been a dream to me. This was always the goal.”

Gomez said the junior college is located far enough away to where she has to rely on herself, but is close enough to where she can go home on the weekends whenever she needs to, all while providing the chance to play college soccer.

“I think that this will be a great opportunity for me to learn, whether I am a starter or not,” she said. “It’s going to be a great learning experience to see how tough it can be in college and also show how much I have achieved throughout all my years of playing.”

Gomez, who signed her letter of intent at the Nederland High School Dome Gym, said she is going to miss the Nederland people the most.

“It is an amazing community here,” Gomez shared. “I am really glad I got the opportunity to play with (my teammates) and see them grow.”

As a fan, Gomez has always admired Lionel Messi.

“I want to be faster and stronger than in the previous years I have played,” she said for her college goals. “I think going into your first season playing (in college) with others who have done it for so long, it’s going to be a great experience to better myself physically, mentally and emotionally.”

She considers herself determined.

“I want to win. I am very competitive,” Gomez said. “If we are not doing what we need to win, then I will do my best to better the team and pick us up a little bit.”