By Dylan Vazzano, TTU Sports Information Coordinator
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – With National Letter of Intent Signing Day occurring across the country recently, the Tennessee Tech soccer team is proud to announce the additions of eight incoming freshmen to add to the 2014 roster. The Golden Eagles and first-year head coach Steve Springthorpe welcome Lauren Brewer, Abby Collins, Mary Francis Hoots, Zoie Hensley, Michaella Keyes, McKenzie McCloud, Cassidy Ortman, and Karigan Owens to the program, adding depth, talent, and potential to next year's squad.
"I am excited that we have a great group of young ladies who have decided to continue their academic and soccer careers here at Tennessee Tech," Springthorpe claimed on the incoming group. "These eight players will have the opportunity to come in and help the team transition into a program that will compete for OVC championships in the very near future. As the program moves into a new direction, these talented players will be able to assist the current players in reaching all their goals both on and off the field. I look forward to their arrival on campus this upcoming fall."
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Lauren Brewer – Crestwood, Ky. / Sacred Heart Academy Lauren Brewer enters her Golden Eagle tenure out of Crestwood, Ky., where she excelled at Sacred Heart Academy in Louisville. The two-sport athlete, who ran track as well, brings versatility to the table, suiting up as a defender, center-mid., and outside-mid. during her high school career. Brewer's resume speaks for itself as the incoming freshman earned all-state, first-team all-region, and all-state tournament team honors in both her junior and senior campaigns. Brewer wrapped up her high school career with 20 goals and an impressive 74 assists. |
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Abby Collins – Cookeville, Tenn. / Cookeville HS Abby Collins comes to Tech right out of Cookeville High School, lettering in soccer for four years, and basketball and track for two years. The Cookeville native took aim as an attacking midfielder, defensive mid., and center back for the Cavaliers under head coach Sam Matson. Collins took home first-team all-district honors as a junior and senior, while earning first-team all-region recognition as a senior, helping lead Cookeville High School to three district and three regional championships throughout her tenure. |
Mary Francis Hoots – Nashville, Tenn. / Father Ryan HS Mary Francis Hoots suits up in TTU purple and gold from nearby Nashville where she attended Father Ryan High School, lettering for four years in both soccer and basketball. As both a left back and center-mid., Hoot was honored as the team's MVP her senior season, while also taking home all-region honors as both a junior and senior. The 5-9 incoming freshman recorded 12 goals and 11 assists throughout her high school career. |
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Zoie Hensley – Ranchos de Taos, N.M. / Taos HS Zoie Hensley comes to the Golden Eagles highly touted after compiling remarkable high school career at Taos High School in New Mexico. Hensley's 54 goal, 17 assist campaign as a senior netted her with the Gatorade New Mexico Girls Soccer Player of the Year award. The 2013 Class A-AAA State Player of the Year scored a goal in 16 of her school's 18 games, including 12 multi-goal games, two four-goal games, two five-goal games, a six-goal game, a seven-goal game, and an eight-goal game. |
Michaella Keyes – Cincinnati, Ohio / Sycamore HS
Michaella Keyes heads to Tech as a defender out of Cincinnati, Ohio. While suiting up at Sycamore High School, Keyes rotated between center back and outside defender, taking home the team's Defensive Player of the Year award as a senior. The 5-9 incoming freshman was also a member of the Cincinnati United Premier Soccer Club and her sister, Madison, is currently a junior on the Golden Eagle volleyball team. |
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McKenzie McCloud – Cookeville, Tenn. / Cookeville HS McKenzie McCloud joins Abby Collins as the second player in the class to come to TTU right out of Cookeville High School. The three-year letter winner enters her Golden Eagle career as a defender, bringing a whole host of honors with her. McCloud was a three-time team Defensive Player of the Year winner with the Cavaliers, took home Rookie of the Year recognition in her first campaign, and earned all-district honors as a senior. |
Cassidy Ortman – Huntsville, Ala. / Grissom HS
Cassidy Ortman comes to TTU from Huntsville, Ala., lettering all four years at Grissom High School. As a senior, Ortman took home first-team all-city defensive player honors, while also serving as the team captain. In her final three years, she helped lead Grissom to a resounding 66-9 combined record, including a section championship in 2012. Ortman also took part in the club circuit, suiting up for Huntsville Futbol Club (HFC) since 2010, Birmingham United Soccer Association (BUSA) in 2013, and the Alabama Olympic Development Program (ODP) in 2012. In 2013 she helped lead HFC to an Alabama State Championship. |
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Karigan Owens rounds out the Golden Eagles incoming class, heading to Tech from La Grange, Ky. after attending Oldham County High School. As a defender, Owens earned second-team all-state recognition, first-team all-region honors, first-team all-district distinction, and a spot on the first-team all-region tournament team throughout her high school tenure. As a senior, she helped lead Oldham County to a remarkable 23-1-1 record, playing a pivotal role in a school record 17 shutouts, while also picking up three goals and four assists as a defender. Throughout her career, Owens was part of four district championships, two regional championships, four region finalist appearances, and one state semi-finalist appearance. The 5-9 incoming freshman also played club as part of Javanon Club Soccer in Louisville from 2009-13 and for the Kentucky Fire Juniors from 2013-14. |
Karigan Owens – La Grange, Ky. / Oldham County HS