LAGRANGE – They were thrilled to share the moment with each other.

Hannah Asbell and Maddie Patton have been playing soccer together for years, and they’re both seniors on the LaGrange High girls’ team.

This week, the two good friends were a part of a signing ceremony at the school, as they each announced where they’ll be playing college soccer for the next four years.

Patton has signed with Young Harris College, while Asbell is headed to Milledgeville to play for Georgia College & State University.

Considering how close they are, they both felt it was fitting to have a joint signing ceremony, and that’s what they did, with their teammates, classmates, friends, coaches and family members there to enjoy the moment with them.

“I was absolutely ecstatic when I found out she was (signing),” Asbell said. “I was screaming. We’ve been best friends since I moved here in sixth grade. It’s go great to have somebody to go on this journey with. We can do all our preseason stuff together. I’m so excited.”

Patton said she’s looking forward to having one final season to spend on the field with her friend.

“I’m looking forward to playing with Hannah,” Patton said. “She’s my best friend. It’s our senior year, and we get to spend it together. It’s going to be awesome.”

Keita Placide, the head coach of the LaGrange boys’ soccer team, was on hand for the ceremony, and he said he’s appreciative of everything Patton and Asbell have done.

Placide also recognized the contributions of Catherine Patton, Maddie’s twin sister, who unfortunately suffered a knee injury earlier this year and will be unable to play this spring.

“I always brag on them, because I believe they are awesome kids, and they set their mind to what they would like to do on the field, and impose their will,” Placide said. “It has been my privilege to known both Pattons, as well as Hannah.”

When Asbell was going through the recruiting process, she originally had her mind set on going to Mercer, but with some encouragement from her father John, she ended up spending time at Georgia College.

“It’s all my dad,” she said. “He’s the one that woke me up at 7 and said we’re going to Georgia College. I said that’s not where I want to go. I wanted to go to Mercer, because that’s who I was talking to at the time. And then I end up there, and they said Hanna we really like you, so we’re going to stay in touch. I said that’s nice, but I’m not going to think too much on it.”

After making a return visit, though, her outlook changed, and she realized how much she enjoyed it there, and she also liked the coaches.

So Asbell decided that Georgia College was the right fit for her, and she is thrilled with that decision.

“I love the college,” she said. “I’m so excited.”

Patton said she was appreciative of all the people who were there for the signing ceremony, and that included her teammates on the LaGrange soccer team.

“It means a lot that all of these people came out to watch, because I’ve been looking forward to doing this since my freshman year, to sign to play in college,” she said. “It’s a dream come true. It’s exactly what I wanted, and Young Harris is perfect. I just love it.”

For the moment, Patton and Asbell are committed to making the most of their final season at LaGrange.

Despite the injury to Catherine Patton, who has been an exceptional player, expectations are high for the Lady Grangers.

“I’m excited,” Asbell said. “It’ll be a good season. The region should be a little bit easier than last year. We should win region. If we don’t, I’ll be a little disappointed.”

OF NOTE: For more photos from the signing ceremony, check out facebook.com/LDNSports