SFA Announces Soccer Signings
2/4/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Feb. 4, 2009
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin Ladyjack soccer program added another signee to its 2009 class on Thursday, Feb. 19, bringing the total to 15 athletes, the largest signing class for SFA since the program began in 1995. The group includes 11 prep recruits and four collegiate transfers who joined the program at the start of the spring semester.
The 2009 class will fill the vacancies created by the graduation of six seniors from last year's team and three additional off-season departures.
"This is the biggest class we have ever signed," said SFA head coach George Van Linder. "There are actually some more players out there we can't announce yet."
Two of the four transfers come to SFA from Big 12 members Baylor and Oklahoma, while the other two have made the jump from two-year colleges -- Tyler Junior College and Navarro College.
"I've always been a bit of a magnet for transfers in my coaching career," Van Linder said. "But what we did this January was unheard-of, with four players coming in from different schools to be a part of our program. I am very excited about what these players can do for us, and I think they have already made an impact on our team by being here."
Twelve of the 14 players in the 2009 class are Texans, and all boast impressive club soccer resumes. Several have garnered Olympic Development Program experience.
"We are proud to have players from the top clubs in Austin, Dallas and Houston," Van Linder said. "We used to say we were the best-kept secret in college soccer, but word seems to have spread. Even more elite players are wanting to call SFA home."
This is the first full signing class for Van Linder's staff. The former Baylor head coach took over the SFA program in late February of 2008.
"A lot of the credit for this class goes to my assistants, Kelli Partridge and Trae Manny," Van Linder said, "as well as our athletic department leadership, specifically Mr. Matt Fenley (SFA Associate AD for NCAA Compliance). We had to replace six quality seniors, and we had to make our team a bit bigger with our numbers. We certainly did that, and we feel like we brought players in who will help us in some specific areas where we needed to get better."
Below is a list of 2009 signings by the Stephen F. Austin Ladyjack soccer program. The list will be updated as athletes are added.
PREP SIGNEES
Jayne Janke • Forward/Midfielder • Houston, Texas (Cy Fair)
Cy Fair High School
A three-year letterwinner ... was team MVP and earned first-team all-district honors as a forward last season ... helped lead squad to the area finals as a freshman and a district title and Region III quarterfinals appearance as a sophomore ... was named academic all-district in 2008 ... is an honor roll student and a member of a student leadership group that meets with the district superintendent ... volunteers as a youth soccer coach.
Club Soccer
Has played with the Albion Hurricanes 91 Blue team since 2007 ... is second on the team in scoring ... played with the Cy-Fair Dynamos from 2001-2007 ... was a member of the South Texas ODP from 2004-2007.
Quoting Coach Van Linder
"Jayne plays forward alongside Morgan Ray on the Albion Hurricanes Soccer Club. Jayne has good speed and, like Morgan, scores plenty of goals. She has a wonderful knack for knowing when to be selfish and score and knowing when to pass it along to a teammate, usually Morgan. To have either Morgan or Jayne join the team would have been great. But watching how well those two do together, it was fantastic that we could keep these two together. They always seem to know where the other is and they complement each other so well."
Laura Sadler • Midfielder/Forward • Coppell, Texas (Coppell)
Coppell High School
Four-year letterwinner ... named team captain for 2009 season ... a three-time all-district honoree ... named to the first team as a midfielder in both 2007 and 2008 ... was a second-team selection at forward as a freshman ... named the 2007 Sidekick Standout Sophomore Female Soccer Athlete ... named to the all-tournament team at the 2007 Nolan Showcase ... sister, Sarah, is a sophomore defender at Northwestern State.
Club Soccer
Played the last two seasons with the Solar Soccer Club 91 ... was a member of the ASG 91 Girls Gold West team from 2004-2008, earning MVP honors in 2006 ... played on the Longhorns 91 Orange team in 2003-04, serving as team captain ... played for the Comets 91 Blue squad from 2001-2003, serving as captain along the way ... played in the Premier League from 2004-2006 and in 2008 ... has played in the Lake Highlands Girls Classic League Division I since 2003 ... was in the North Texas ODP pool from 2003-2007 ... member of the 2005 North Texas ODP State Team ... first alternate on the 2006-07 North Texas ODP State Team.
Quoting Coach Van Linder
"Laura was someone we spotted in a tournament in Dallas. We felt like she was one of the best players we saw that day. When she came to our camp and started scoring a bunch of goals in our games we knew she was someone we had to have in an SFA uniform. With her sister playing a key role on the Northwestern State squad, we knew a few other schools were chasing her and we are glad she decided to join us."
Abby Susman • Midfielder • Tulsa, Oklahoma (Cascia Hall Prep)
Cascia Hall Preparatory School
Scored six goals with three assists in only five games during the 2006-07 season ... helped lead team to back-to-back Class 4A state championships ... a three-year letterwinner in track ... ran on a sprint relay team that qualified for the state meet in ... a two-year letterwinner in cross country ... twice named to the Principal's Honor Roll and a two-time recipient of the Character Award ... compiled 100-plus community service hours in all four years of high school ... served as an officer for numerous clubs and student leadership organizations.
Club Soccer
Spent five years playing for the Tulsa Soccer Club '91 squad ... team reached the Oklahoma State Cup semifinals in 2006, 2007 and 2008 ... Played in both the Oklahoma Premier League and Southern Region Premier League.
Quoting Coach Van Linder
"I have known one of Abby's coaches, Art Turpel, with Tulsa Soccer Club, for nearly 20 years. He told me one day that he had a player on his Tulsa Soccer Club team that I would love. Well, she came to our summer camp and didn't disappoint. She is very versatile, but we like her most in the central midfield or possibly outside mid. She was well-liked by everyone she came into contact with at SFA and will bring a great energy to the squad."
Jordan Payne • Midfielder/Forward • Southlake, Texas (Carroll)
Carroll High School
Two-year letterwinner for the Carroll varsity squad ... helped lead team to a Class 5A state championship as a junior last season.
Club Soccer
Has played with the D'Feeters Club since 2008 ... helped team to the Puma Cup Championship and the Lake Highland Division II Championship last year ... played with the DFW Tejanos Soccer Club from 2003-2007.
Quoting Coach Van Linder
"One of my former players Kim Harvey called me and said that her team in the D'feeters Soccer Club had a new player who was someone to watch. After watching her play in a tournament we knew that she would be very beneficial to us in the midfield. I also saw her do some good things up top. When we talked we realized how competitive she is and felt like she would be a good fit for us. She had a lot of different choices, and we are certainly glad that she picked SFA."
Jess Brown • Midfielder • College Station, Texas (A&M Consolidated)
A&M Consolidated High School
Four-year starter ... earned second-team all-district honors in 2006 ... was an honorable mention selection the following year and took first-team all-district honors as a junior in 2008.
Club Soccer
Spent four years each playing with the Aggieland Soccer Club Mystic '91 and Challenge Blitz '91 ... a three-year member of the South Texas ODP team, playing in 2004, 2005 and 2006.
Quoting Coach Van Linder
"She's another quality player from the Challenge Soccer Club. What we like about Jessica is that she is very versatile. With her speed, she can play almost anywhere in the midfield and up front. Combine that speed with her technical ability, and we anticipate her playing somewhere in the midfield, most likely on the outside."
Chelsea Smith • Midfielder/Forward • Austin, Texas (Cedar Park)
Cedar Park High School
Four-year letterwinner.
Club Soccer
Has played on the Lonestar 92 Red squad since 2004 ... played for the Lonestar 91 Red team from 2002-2004 ... has played in the South Texas ODP ... was a part of the Region III ODP in 2006 and 2007.
Quoting Coach Van Linder
"I have had the opportunity to work with Chelsea at several different soccer camps over the past couple of summers. It was at the first one that I met her that I knew she would be a great fit for our team. She is very versatile, but we really like her up front. She can score goals and reads the game very well. Playing for the Lonestar Soccer Club in Austin gave her the opportunity to play in several big games and help speed up her development for the college game."
Lacey Leitz • Defender • Montgomery, Texas (Montgomery)
Montgomery High School
Four-year letterwinner ... second-team all-district honoree in 2006 ... played on a bi-district championship team in both 2006 and 2007 ... helped lead team to a second-place finish in the Waco Tournament in 2006, when she was named the tournament's MVP ... two-year letterwinner in basketball ... member of the student council and Mongomery Cotillion.
Club Soccer
Spent seven years playing for the Challenge Club ... helped team to a third-place showing in the National State Cup ... played two years with the Texas Heat Wave Club.
Quoting Coach Van Linder
"Lacey was the first player that we signed. She is the player that everyone hates to play against, she is a fighter and a heck of an athlete. She comes from the Challenge Soccer Club, a club whose past players have made a significant impact upon SFA Soccer history. She has great size and speed for her position, and we expect she will make an impact in the back for us."
Laura Moritz • Midfielder • Southlake, Texas (Carroll)
Carroll High School
Helped lead team to an undefeated district title in 2007 and a Class 5A state championship in 2008 ... a first-team all-district selection.
Club Soccer
Has played with the DFW Tornados 92 White since 2003 ... played with the Strikers Fox Valley Club in St. Charles, Ill., from 2000-2003 ... played in the North Texas ODP in 2006-07.
Quoting Coach Van Linder
"Laura is a member of the DFW Tornado Soccer Club coached by David Hoffman, who is also the men's soccer coach at the University of Dallas. When he mentioned that she does some things better than his college men, well, we had to take a look. She also came highly recommended from some of our other players. She is a great passer, and we know will do a good job of getting the ball to our forwards. We certainly have enjoyed getting to know her and feel as if Laura will do a good job in helping us control the midfield during games."
Morgan Ray • Forward/Midfielder • Missouri City, Texas (Elkins)
Elkins High School
A four-year letterwinner and three-time all-district selection ... team captain ... named to second-team all-district as a freshman ... was named to the first team each of the last two seasons ... led district in assists with 17 as a freshman ... member of student council, Castle Crew and TASK (Teams Assisting Special Kids).
Club Soccer
Has played with the Albion Hurricanes 91 Blue squad since 2004 ... has served as team captain ... scored 28 goals in the spring 2007 season ... played for the Carrera Soccer Club in Columbia, Mo., from 2000-2004 ... was a member of the Missouri ODP in 2004 and played with South Texas ODP in 2005-06.
Quoting Coach Van Linder
"Coach Steve Firth of the Albion Hurricanes Soccer Club in Houston used to be an assistant for me. He called and let me know about Morgan, and when we came down to watch we weren't disappointed. She has good speed, and she scores goals. She is good technically and she isn't afraid to try anything. She is that player who always seems to be in the right position to score goals."
Becky Johnson • Forward • Bakersfield, Calif. (Liberty)
Liberty High School
Four-year starter ... a first-team all-league selection and second-team all-area honoree ... named to the Kern County High School All-Star Team ... recipient of the Jockey Club Award and High School Coaches Award (MVP).
Club Soccer
Has played club ball since the age of nine, after playing AYSO from age 5 to 9 ... has played international soccer in Norway and Sweden, as well as 2008 summer invitational matches and training in Brazil.
Quoting Coach Van Linder
"We are thrilled to sign Becky. Coach Myka Peck, her high school coach, is someone who has been recommending players to me for a few years. Her club coach Simon Tobin is the CSUB men's coach and spoke highly about her. When we watched her play we were very impressed with her ability to read the game and take free kicks. She has a very talented left foot that we think will add to our attack."
Rachael Stelly • Goalkeeper • Richardson, Texas (Plano East)
Plano East High School
A three-year letterwinner ... helped lead team to an appearance in the Class 5A state championship as a junior ... team reached playoffs in 2007 ... was named first-team all-district as a junior in 2008 ... a member of the National Honor Society.
Club Soccer
Part of the North Texas ODP from 2003-2007 ... Dallas Texans White 91 squad has been ranked as high as No. 5 in North Texas ... was named the MVP of the 2005 Chevrolet Silver State Tournament ... was named team captain for the 2004 Dallas Texans Red West.
Quoting Coach Van Linder
"Our goal is to have the best goalkeeping tandem in the Southland
Conference. We feel like having Rachael and her experience with the Dallas Texans is helping us get closer to that goal."
Quoting Coach Trae Manny (Goalkeepers Coach)
"We are very fortunate to have someone of Rachael's character, ability and experience joining our program. She has a good understanding of goalkeeping technique, and that will lend itself well to her continued tactical development in the SFA style of play. I look forward to aiding in her progression as a goalkeeper, and expect her to challenge for significant playing time the moment she arrives in pre-season. Additionally, her dedication and talent in the classroom are first class. Rachael will be a great complement to the tradition of SFA Soccer."
COLLEGIATE TRANSFERS
Kayla Mason • Defender • Sophomore (Transfer) • Whitehouse, Texas (Tyler Junior College)
Tyler Junior College
Was the first signee on the inaugural Tyler Junior College women's soccer team ... started all 17 games in 2008 for a TJC team that finished the season ranked No. 15 in the nation ... was named to the all-conference team.
Whitehouse High School
Was a three-year letterwinner and two-time selection to both the all-district and All-East Texas teams ... helped lead team to state quarterfinals as a junior and state semifinals as a senior ... a four-year letterwinner on the basketball team ... served three seasons as captain ... two-time all-district honoree and three-time selection to the All-East Texas team, as well as earning a spot on the all-region squad ... was named district's defensive MVP as a senior ... was named to the academic all-district team ... played club basketball with the Xtreme program.
Club Soccer
Played for both the East Texas Spirit and United clubs ... spent a year on the North Texas Soccer ODP team.
Quoting Coach Van Linder
"Kayla was one of our first players that we were able to bring in from East Texas. Her coach at Tyler Junior College felt like she was the heart and soul of the team defensively. She was also recruited by some basketball programs which talks just a bit about her height and her strength in the air. In spring drills her athleticism has already shown. We are excited to have her with us."
Wallis Young • Midfielder/Defender • Sophomore (Transfer) • Duncanville, Texas (Baylor)
Baylor
Appeared in nine games in 2008 ... recorded two assists in a game against Prairie View A&M.
Duncanville High School
Four-year letterwinner ... named captain as a senior in 2008 ... named to the Frisco all-tournament team in 2006 and the Duncanville all-tournament team in 2007 ... helped lead team to three second-place finishes in district play ... four-year letterwinner in tennis ... won district title in doubles in 2004 ... doubles team advanced to regionals in both 2006 and 2007.
Club Soccer
Played for the Sting Royal '90 from 2000 through 2007, serving as team captain the last three years ... helped guide team to seven championships, including the 2007 Texas Cup ... currently plays for D'Feeters '90 team.
Quoting Coach Van Linder
"When Wallis was a sophomore in high school, I noticed her right away. One of my former players, Kim Harvey, was one of her coaches, and Kim said only great things about Wallis. In her short time here we have been very impressed with her composure and her skills on the ball. She has played a lot of positions lately but we really anticipate her being in the back where she is the most comfortable and can make the biggest impact."
Jordan King • Defender • Sophomore (Transfer) • McKinney, Texas (Oklahoma)
Oklahoma
Appeared in 10 games for the Sooners in 2008.
McKinney High School
Four-year letterwinner ... served as team captain of both her high school and club soccer teams ... a three-time selection to the first-team all-district squad ... named to the All-State Tournament team in 2004-05 season, when she helped lead team to the Class 4A state championship ... twice named to the McKinney Elite 11 Team.
Club Soccer
Played for the D'Feeters '90 club team ... helped lead team to 2006-07 NTSSA State Cup Championship and Region III semifinals ... was part of 2004-05 NTSSA State Cup Championship squad.
Quoting Coach Van Linder
"I remembered watching Jordan King be an absolute warrior in the back for a very good D'feeter team in Dallas. Besides being a strong defender in the back, she is very talented at taking free kicks. The experience she had at OU will certainly be something that she can draw on here as she becomes familiar with our squad. We are very excited to have her. She will have three years of eligibility."
Lisa Gonzalez • Forward • Junior (Transfer) • La Porte, Texas (Navarro College)
Navarro College
Played in 12 games in 2008, posting six goals and four assists for a total of 14 points ... as a freshman scored five goals with two assists in 17 games.
Quoting Coach Van Linder
"Lisa's Navarro team was ranked No. 2 in the country for almost all of last season. Her experience there and playing for a ranked program is certainly a benefit for us. We feel lucky to have her. She has a great appreciation for the game and reads it very well. Her experience makes her comfortable playing anywhere, but with her speed and skills we anticipate her playing up top. She will have two years of eligibility."
-- SFA --
