McPherson women's soccer adds 13 commitments for fall 2010
McPherson, Kan. – The McPherson College women's soccer program has added 13 players in its 2010 recruiting class, as announced by head coach Robert Talley. The class consists of four transfer students and nine freshmen. There are players representing six different states including Kansas, Missouri, Colorado, Maryland, Oklahoma and Utah.
“This season's recruiting class will again be built on the shoulders of a very talented freshman class along with some solid transfers,” said Talley. “The staff worked hard this offseason to find the right players to fit our system here at McPherson. This recruiting class, combined with our returning class, should provide the right formula to help us achieve our ultimate goal of a conference championship and a trip to the national tournament.”
The 2010 freshman include Kyle Stewart, Laurel Gillispie, Kourtney Mitchell, Natasha Chaney, Brittney Coxsey, Miranda Delgado, Samantha Peterson, Sarah Ehrlich, Victoria Verdieck, Whitney Smith, while the transfers consist of Elizabeth Biehler, Serena Villa, Denise Banuelos and Whitney Smith.
Kyle Stewart – D – 5-6 – Topeka, Kan. (Washburn Rural High School)
Stewart (left) was joined for her letter of intent signing by McPherson College head women's soccer coach Robert Talley (right)
Stewart has played four seasons at Washburn Rural High School under the direction of head coach Brian Hensyel. In 2009, the Lady Blues finished third in Class 6A.
Talley on Stewart: “Kyle is strong enough in her game to either play center back or outside back for us this fall. She will be a great addition to our program, and we look forward to seeing her continuously challenge our other backs for starting time on the pitch.”
Elizabeth Biehler – D – 5-2 – McPherson, Kan. (Butler Community College)
Biehler (left) was joined for her letter of intent signing by McPherson College head women's soccer coach Robert Talley (right)
Biehler, a 2008 graduate of McPherson High School, has spent the last two seasons with the Butler Community College Grizzlies. In two seasons with BCC, Biehler has recorded 12 goals and 10 assists to earn her first team All-Conference honors following her sophomore season. As a prep athlete, she earned conference MVP, first team All-State and All-Conference honors. She tallied 16 goals and 10 assists in four seasons with the Bullpups.
Talley on Biehler: “Beth is a solid player wherever she's placed on the field. Having the experience already under her belt, we see Beth stepping in and challenging right away for one of our starting spots. She will also be training as a goalkeeper.”
Laurel Gillispie – D – 5-4 – Raymore, Mo. (Raymore-Peculiar High School)
Gillispie (left) was joined for her letter of intent signing by McPherson College head women's soccer coach Robert Talley (right)
Gillispie played four seasons at Raymore-Peculiar High School under the direction of head coach Jason Watermann. She received four varsity letters and two All-Conference nominations while with the Panthers.
Talley on Gillispie: “Laurel recently came off an ACL tear, but you would not have known it when she came in for her tryout with the team. She has great vision on the field and is a solid center back. She had great work ethic and can be a potential center back or attacking outside back for us.”
Kourtney Mitchell – F – 5-5 – Silt, Colo. (Coal Ridge High School)
Mitchell (middle, right) was joined for her letter of intent signing by her mother Andrea (left), father Ray (middle, left) and McPherson College head women's soccer coach Robert Talley (right)
Mitchell is a four-year varsity letter winner at Coal Ridge High School under the coaching of Brian Blair. In four seasons, Mitchell has tallied 92 goals and 55 assists for the Titans.
Talley on Mitchell: “Kourtney will impact our front line with her tactical ability. Her vision on the field, first step speed and solid shot should prove to be a good mixture that can give goalkeepers fits. We're looking for her to challenge our returning forwards immediately for playing time.”
Natasha Chaney – D – 5-8 – Edgerton, Kan. (Gardner-Edgerton High School)
Stewart (front, left) was joined for her letter of intent signing by McPherson College head women's soccer coach Robert Talley (front, middle), members of her family and staff of Gardner-Edgerton High School
Chaney, a first team All-League selection in 2008, was named second team All-league following the 2009 season. She is a four-year varsity letter winner in soccer at GEHS and a three year honoree in basketball. In the classroom, Chaney has been a member of the National Honor Society since 2008.
Talley on Chaney: “Natasha is a big, strong outside back. She's quick for her size and very physical when she needs to be. We are looking forward to watching Natasha grow as a player at McPherson College.”
Serena Villa – F – 6-1 – Leonardtown, Md. (College of Southern Maryland)
Villa (left) was joined for her letter of intent signing by McPherson College head women's soccer coach Robert Talley (right)
Villa has spent the past two years at the College of Southern Maryland in Leonardtown, Md., but was not an active member of the women's soccer program. Villa scored 122 goals, while recording 38 assists during her prep career at Leonardtown High School. Prior to attending LHS, she earned All-league, team most valuable player, rookie of the year and golden boot honors under the direction of Burroughs High School head coach Prince Kenald. She played club soccer for coach Christopher Marshall of the Scorpions Soccer Club.
Talley on Villa: “Serena is a solid forward and proven goal scorer. Once Serena moved from California to Maryland she fell off everyone's recruiting radar, which worked out well for us. Her tactical and technical game should impact our attacking third immediately.”
Brittany Coxsey – D – 5-2 – Mead, Okla. (Durant High School)
Coxsey (front, left) was joined for her letter of intent signing by McPherson College head women's soccer coach Robert Talley (front, middle), members of her family and staff of Durant High School
Coxsey is a two-time All-District 5-1A team member and is projected to earn the award again following the 2010 spring season. She has lettered four seasons from her defensive position under the direction of head coach Ron Norman. Off the pitch, Coxsey is a two time state qualifier in cross country and following the 2008 season was named the team's Champion of Character award winner.
Talley on Coxsey: “Brittney is proof that great things come in small packages. She is very aggressive and physical as an outside back. She has a great read for the game and has a strong leg that can help out in the attack third.”
Miranda Delgado – MF – 5-2 – Olathe, Kan. (Olathe South High School)
Delgado (front, left) was joined for her letter of intent signing by McPherson College head women's soccer coach Robert Talley (front, middle) and members of her family
Delgado transferred to Olathe South from Burros High School (Calif.) following her junior season. Prior to transferring, Delgado was a three-year varsity letter winner and was named all-league and most valuable player following her junior season. Miranda plays her club soccer for the Blue Valley Stars.
Talley on Delgado: “Miranda has the pace and stamina to play either as a forward or a central midfielder. Her technical and tactical skills will help us in either spot this fall. She has tremendous work ethic and an eagerness to challenge for playing time immediately.”
Denise Banuelos – MF – 5-4 – Liberal, Kan. (Butler County Community College)
Banuelos (left) was joined for her letter of intent signing by McPherson College head women's soccer coach Robert Talley (left)
Banuelos played two seasons with the Grizzlies under the direction of head coach Adam Hunter. Prior to Butler County Community College, she played at Liberal High School. While at Liberal, Banuelos was named twice first team All-Conference and once second team All-State. Following the 2006 season, she was named the most valuable player at LHS.
Talley on Banuelos: “Denise is another transfer from Butler County Community College who has a great amount of experience at the collegiate level. Denise helped Butler advance to the Region IV semi-final game as an attacking central midfielder. Her composure on the ball and vision within the game makes her a solid threat for opposing teams.”
Samantha Peterson – D – 5-7 – Olathe, Kan. (Olathe South High School)
Peterson (left) was joined for her letter of intent signing by McPherson College head women's soccer coach Robert Talley (middle) and members of her family
Peterson has played four seasons at Olathe South High School under coach Will Stos. While at OSHS, Peterson received both varsity and junior varsity letters because of her play at the defender position. She was once named the team's most inspirational player.
Talley on Peterson: “Samantha has the build and speed to be a great attacking outside back. She's a smart player who loves to get into the attacking third when given the opportunity. The defensive third becomes a lot more dangerous with the addition of Samantha this fall.”
Sarah Ehrlich – MF – 5-6 – Augusta, Kan. (Augusta High School)
Ehrlich (front, left) was joined for her letter of intent signing by her mother Suzanne (back) and McPherson College head women's soccer coach Robert Talley (front, middle)
Ehrlich is a four-year letter winner in women's soccer and a three-year recipient in tennis at Augusta High School. An excellent student, Ehrlich has received the Teacher's Choice Award, along with being the Vice President of the National Honor Society during the 2009-10 school year.
Talley on Ehrlich: “Ehrlich is a young player who continues to develop each season. She may lack the experience compared to others, but she makes up for it with her determination to be successful. As a central midfielder, Sarah does a good job reading the field around her. We are looking for her to continue her soccer evolution these next four years.”
Victoria Verdieck – GK – 5-11 – New Castle, Colo. (Coal Ridge High School)
Verdieck (front, right) was joined for her letter of intent signing by her mother Sandra (back) and McPherson College head women's soccer coach Robert Talley (front, right)
Verdieck is a three-year letter winner as a goalie under the direction of Coal Ridge High School head coach Brian Blair. Off the soccer field, she was named first team All-Conference as a women's basketball player following the 2009 season.
Talley on Verdieck: “Victoria is the tall solid goalkeeper we were looking for this fall. She has soft hands, a tremendous punt, and a good read for the game. Her technical ability is comparable to our current goalkeeper, which should make the battle for the starting position very interesting this fall.”
Whitney Smith – D – 5-6 – South Jordan, Utah (Barton County Community College)
Smith (left) was joined for her letter of intent signing by McPherson College head women's soccer coach Robert Talley (right)
Smith, a 2008 graduate of Bingham High School in South Jordan, Utah, has spend the past two seasons at Barton County Community College. While at BCC, Smith has recorded five goals and two assists from her defensive position. Prior to Barton, she played four seasons, lettering three, at South Jordan High School. She played her club soccer under the direction of Bob Austin of the Avalanche.
Talley on Smith: “Whitney has ability to play either as an outside back or center back for us this fall. She brings a great amount of college experience. We are eager to see what kind of impact she will make within the defensive third.”
