With the likes of Bucknell, Brown and Gettysburg on his short list, Jonathan Blaine was bound to matriculate at one of the top academic schools in the region.

When he found that type of place close to home, he knew he would be wearing a Mountain Hawks uniform for the next four years."Lehigh stood out for me," said Blaine last week at a letter of intent signing ceremony. "The location of it, my family and friends can come out to see my games. It's also not too close. It's about 45 minutes from my house. Great academics."Blaine, who was this year's Times News Boys Soccer Player of the Year, plans to major in international business with a minor in Spanish.On the soccer field, he plans to continue playing in the backfield, where he was a four-year starter for Northwestern. As the team's central defender the past three seasons, he helped the team to a 24-1-1 record last fall.He could also play a defensive midfield position if that's what the team needs."I just want to learn as much as possible and if I can help the team out in any way I don't care what position it is," said Blaine.He's played on top-level club teams and in the biggest high school games this state has to offer, however Blaine anticipates the Division 1 college level to be even more competitive than he's seen."The college game is so much quicker," he said. "Players are stronger than high school."I think Lehigh gives me the opportunity to be the best player I can be. Whatever that means in terms of playing time, we'll see. I'm just really excited to grow there."Blaine was part of a high school team that won two straight league and district titles and made deep runs in the past two state tournaments. The Tigers went 24-2 in 2015 and reached the state semifinals. That was the best season in program history, until this past spring.This year Northwestern got to the state title game, posting 20 shutouts and allowing just 10 goals the entire season.Blaine takes with him fond memories of his high school years in New Tripoli."Northwestern is so special in so many ways," Blaine said. "It's a small town community. The people I've known since I was five years old are special to me."