| May 3, 2006
Contact: Carlos Valdez, (210) 458-4930
UTSA women’s soccer inks 23 players for inaugural 2006 season
SAN ANTONIO - UTSA head women’s soccer coach Steve Ballard announced the signing of 23 student-athletes for the inaugural 2006 soccer season.
Coach Ballard and assistant coach Kristin Boeker scored 21 players from the state of Texas, including Christine Walker from Warren High School in San Antonio. UTSA also inked two players from California - Julie Kopp and Holli McGue.
“Both Kristin and myself have been overwhelmed by the welcome we have received from UTSA and the San Antonio Community,” Ballard said. “This has made for a smooth transition for us personally and with establishing this program in all areas. Kristin has been a driving force in our recruitment efforts and I owe a special thanks to her for a job well done. We know it’s only begun, but feel this group of young ladies joining the group we presently have on campus will represent UTSA soccer at a high level on the field as well as in the classroom!”
Celeste Carruth-Midland, TX-Robert E. Lee H.S.-Dallas Texans WTX Red S.C.-Defense/Midfield-5’8”-2nd team All-District 2005, All-Tournament North Loop Tournament, San Antonio 2006
Carly Chudej- Bellaire, TX- Bellaire Senior H.S.- Transfer from Texas State University- Westbury Stars S.C.- Defender- 5’6”-2nd team All-District 2002, 1st team All-District 2003, 2004 and 2005, Defensive MVP 2004, District MVP 2005, Texas Association of Soccer Coaches All-Region team 2005.
Svetlana Dmitriakov-Dallas, TX-Lake Highlands H.S.- F.C. Texas-Midfield/Forward-5’4”-All-District, All-City, All-State.
Rachel Francis-Lancaster, TX-Home Schooled-Transfer from Cedar Valley-Matrix S.C.-Goalkeeper-6’1”-NJCAA Goalie of the Week, First team NJCAA Region 5, First Team 2005 NSCAA/Junior College All-American, Runner-up in the NJCAA National Tournament.
Halee Hamm-Midland, TX- Robert E. Lee H.S.-Dallas Texans WTX Red S.C.- Forward- 5’6”- 1st team All-District 2005, Lee H.S. Offensive MVP 2005- Member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor, Texas Scholar Athlete, Who’s Who Among High School Students.
Kasi Hebert- Spring, TX- Klein Collins H.S.- Pursuit S.C.- Midfield/Goalkeeper- 5’8”- 2nd team All-District 2005 and 2006, H.S. Playoffs 2004, 2005 and 2006- Member of the National Honor Society, Academic All-State, Member of the Klein Collins Women’s Booster Club.
Kylee Hix- Odessa, TX- Permian H.S.- Dallas Texans WTX Red S.C.- Defender/Midfield/Forward- 5’6”-All-District 2004, All-District 2005, Team Captain 2006- Honor Society 2004 and 2005.
Julie Kopp- San Ramon, CA- California H.S.- Mustang Roadrunners S.C.- Midfield-5’4”- Three year starter for high school team ranked top 50 in the U.S., First team All-League 2006, 2nd team All-League 2005, starter for club team ranked #1 in Northern California, State Cup Finalists 2005, member of the ODP District 3 Team 2001, 2002 and 2003- California Scholar Athlete.
Holli McGue-San Ramon, CA- Valley Christian H.S.- Mustang Roadrunners S.C.- Forward- 5’7”- 1st team All-District and Team MVP 2004, 2005 and 2006, club team ranked #1 in Northern California, State Cup Finalists 2005- Member of the National Honor Society, Highest Honor Roll.
Veronica Najera- Waxahachie, TX- Waxahachie H.S.- Dallas Sting S.C.- Forward- 5’1”- Offensive Player of the Year 2004, 1st team All-District 2004 and 2005, 1st team All-Region 2005, H.S. Team Captain 2006.
Ezinne Okpo- Denton, TX- Denton H.S.- Dallas Texans White North S.C.- Defender-
5’6”- District 6-4A Defensive MVP Award 2006, 1st team All-District 2004 and 2005, 2nd team All-District 2003, H.S. State Champions 2003 and 2004, H.S. team ranked #1 in Texas and #6 Nationally, H.S. Team Captain 2006- Member of the Spanish Honor Society, National Honor Society, National Honor Role, National Ventures Scholar and Who’s Who Among High School Students.
Chelsea Pack- Spring, TX- Klein Collins H.S.- Transfer from Texas State University- Challenge Blitz S.C.- Forward- 5’7”- Member of the All-Region Team 2005, 1st team All-District 2005, Team Captain 2004 and 2005, 2nd team All-District 2004- Member of the National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society.
Chea Pajak- McKinney, TX- McKinney H.S.- Everton F.C.- Defender/Midfielder- 5’4”- All-District Honorable Mention 2003 and 2004, 1st team All-District 2005, 4A Tapps All-State Tournament Team 2005, H.S. Team Captain 2005 and 2006, Undefeated State Champions 2005.
Melanie Ringel- Fort Worth, TX- Haltom H.S.- Southlake Saints S.C.-Goalkeeper- 5’8”- All-Honorable Mention 2003, 2nd team All-District 2004, 1st team All-District 2005- Member of the National Honor Society, USAA National Science Award-3.85 grade point average.
Kimberly Selman- Fort Worth, TX- Arlington Heights H.S.- Dallas Sting S.C.- Midfielder- 5’7”- Selected to the 2006 Girls Super Team,1st team All-District 2003 and 2005, All-District MVP 2005, All-Region 2005, 2nd team All-District 2004, H.S. Team Captain 2005 and 2006- Member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, Natural Helpers and Jacket Scholar.
Mikelle Stack- Plano, TX- Plano Senior H.S.- F.C. Texas- Midfielder/ Forward- 5’7”- All-District team 2003, 2004 and 2005, Denton All-Tournament MVP 2006, H.S. Team Captain, ODP State Pool 2000- Member of the NSCAA All-Academic Team 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006, Spanish Club.
Kaitlyn Symons- Hurst, TX- Fort Worth Christian School- Dallas Sting S.C. White- Midfielder- 5’9”- Selected to the 2006 Girls Super Team, 1st team All-District 2005, Team MVP 2005, ODP Regional Team Player 2000.
Christy Underwood- Colleyville, TX- Grapevine H.S.- DFW Tejanos S.C.- Midfielder/Defender- 5’10”- 1st team All-District 2005, GHS Team MVP 2005, North Texas State ODP Team- Member of the National Society of High School Scholars, USAA National Soccer Award.
Erin Ussery- Grapevine, TX- Colleyville Heritage H.S.- Dallas Sting S.C.- Defender- 5’6”- Selected to the 2006 Girls Super Team, H.S. Regional Finalists 2003 and 2004, Area Finalist 2005, Club State Finalist 2004, ODP Regional Pool Player.
Christine Walker- San Antonio, TX- Earl Warren H.S.- Transfer from Jackson State- Classic Elite S.C.- Forward- 5’6”- Scored 24 goals and had 4 assists as a freshman at Jackson State, First Team All-Conference SWAC, All Tournament SWAC, 4 time high school All-District Selection, 4 time Express- News Player of the Week, Crossroads Tournament MVP- Member of the National Honor Society, United State Army Reserve National Scholar Athlete Award.
Kari Weiland- Flower Mound, TX- Flower Mound H.S.- Andromeda S.C.- Midfielder/Forward- 5’4”- H.S. Team Captain 2006, Top 10 All-District Career Goals and Assists, ODP State A Team and Regional Camp Player- Member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta (Math Honor Society), and fall of 2003 and 2005 Student of the Semester Honor.
Meagan Woods- Midland, TX- Robert E. Lee H.S.- Dallas Texans WTX Red S.C.- Defender/Midfielder- 5’9”- Club Team Captain 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006, Director’s Cup Regional Champions 2005, Plano League Champions 2004- Member of the National Society of High School Scholars, Who’s Who Among High School Students, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Texas Scholar and Student Council- 3.73 grade point average.
Chelsea Zimmerman- Mansfield, TX- Timberview H.S.- Dallas Sting S.C.- Midfielder- 5’6”- 1st team All-District 2003, 2004 and 2005, Team MVP 2003, 2004 and 2005, Star Telegram Super Team Player, Florida State ODP Team 2002 and 2003, North Texas State ODP Team 2004 and 2005- Member of National Jr. Honor Society.
UTSA’s soccer program begins its 2006 season with an exhibition match against Texas on Aug. 18 in Austin at Myers Stadium.
|
