GEISMAR - Dutchtown’s Ricky Lawrence believes he can make an immediate impact after signing a letter of intent to play soccer at the University of Central Florida  Wednesday morning in front of the student body at DTHS’ gym on National Signing Day.

Lawrence said he also considered UNC-Greensboro and West Texas A&M.

“They have a young team so I am hoping to play some at forward my freshmen year, get some playing time and maybe score a few goals,” Lawrence said. “The school is really nice and their soccer team is good, too. It is big and the weather is great there.”

Lawrence was a first-team All-District 6-I selection a year ago after scoring 11 goals  to go with eight assists. This year, he has turned into a scoring machine amassing 42 goals through the regular season, two shy from tying the school’s single-season boys scoring record.

“I am fast, strong and I score goals,” Lawrence said.

Dutchtown will look to expand on last year’s quarterfinal playoff run when they enter the postseason this week.

“They are getting a potent scorer,” Dutchtown head coach Larry Chambless said. “He is somebody with a real nose for the goal. He knows where to put himself and knows how to put the ball on frame. He has a lot of speed, is a real hard worker and has a desire to win.”

Lawrence said his parents John-Michael and Lynn Lawrence are his inspiration and he looks up to the uncanny passing ability and field intelligence of Fernando Torres.