BATON ROUGE — The LSU soccer program has received National Letters of Intent from 12 top high school prospects while adding one Division I-A transfer for the 2006 season, it was announced by head coach Brian Lee on Thursday.
Among the signees are eight members of the recently released Soccer Buzz Top 150 Recruits of 2006. Only LSU and perennial powerhouse North Carolina can claim as many as eight signees from this list of the nation’s top prospects.
“This is probably the most important day in the history of LSU soccer,” Lee said. “The entire staff has worked very hard for the last year, and we have assembled a group that will provide the foundation for an exciting future. You have to win in recruiting before you can expect to win consistently on the field, and I think we have won in a big way today.
“(Assistant coaches) Debbie Hensley and Daniel Brizard are to be especially commended on their daily efforts to ensure that our first full class here at LSU is among the very best in the country.”
The 2006 signing class is comprised of 11 high school seniors from eight different states, one Canadian U20 National Team member and one Division I-A transfer from the Southeastern Conference.
The high school recruits who will continue their playing careers at LSU are Nikki Bush (Clinton, Miss.), Amanda Carreno (Tulsa, Okla.), Rachel Hartman (Dallas, Texas), Katherine Lagow (Plano, Texas), Brittany Lowe (Humble, Texas), Michelle Makasini (Euless, Texas), Chelsea Potts (Aurora, Ill.), Kennedy Richards (Lafayette, La.), Malorie Rutledge (Sharpsburg, Ga.), Kathleen Walsh (Birmingham, Ala.) and Rachel Yepez (Fayetteville, N.C.).
Natalie Martineau of Oakville, Ontario, Canada, has re-signed with the Tigers after sitting out the 2005 season to represent her country in international competition, while Casey Crawford of Mandeville, La., returns to her home state after spending her freshman season at the University of Tennessee.
“We feel like this group has it all — a balance of great athleticism and speed together with some of the best playmaking attacking players in North America,” Lee said. “They come from the very best clubs and club coaches in America. Many have an extensive Olympic Development pedigree with national camps, regional teams and the U.S. U17 Adidas ODP All-Star squad that toured Europe last summer.”
Lee said he is particularly excited about the commitment each signee has expressed in leading the LSU soccer program to the next level.
“Each of these student-athletes embodies the kind of player and person we want to represent LSU in the community and on the playing field,” Lee said. “These players are all committed to changing the history of LSU soccer and embrace the challenge of winning SEC titles and NCAA Tournament bids during their careers.”
This year’s signing class comes on the heels of the first Top 50 recruiting class in the program’s 11-year history when Lee signed the 26th-ranked class in the nation last February, just two months after accepting the position. Among those from the Class of 2005 who earned starting positions for the Tigers in their freshman season were midfielder Melissa Clarke, , defenders Veronica Godbolt and Roslyn Jones, and goalkeeper Jackie Moseley.
These freshmen teamed with seniors Holly Davis, Stacie McDougall, Tara Mitnick, Lisa Newton and Kate Ripple to lead LSU to its first appearance in the SEC Tournament since 2002.
“The 2005 season was an important stepping stone to the future of the program, and our graduating seniors are due a lot of credit for laying the foundation for future success,” Lee said. “This group enters LSU with a new challenge beyond just making the SEC Tournament — winning championships.”
Lee said he anticipates a competitive fall camp and successful season for the Tigers in 2006.
“I can’t wait until August when we have our first opportunity for them to join the likes of Caroline Vanderpool, Melissa Clarke, Joleen Phillips and the rest of our returning players on the practice fields,” Lee said. “It should be a lot of fun, and we’re looking forward to having much success in 2006.”
#
Time
Name
Hometown (High SchooL/Previous)
Lee
1.
8:54 a.m.
Michelle Makasini
Euless, Texas (Colleyville Heritage HS)
2.
9:43 a.m.
Malorie Rutledge
Sharpsburg, Ga. (East Coweta HS)
3.
10:55 a.m.
Chelsea Potts
Aurora, Ill. (Waubonsie Valley HS)
4.
10:58 a.m.
Brittany Lowe
Humble, Texas (Humble HS)
5.
11:32 a.m.
Rachel Yepez
Fayetteville, N.C. (Sanford HS)
6.
11:34 a.m.
Casey Crawford
Mandeville, La. (Tennessee)
7.
3:00 p.m.
Katherine Lagow
Plano, Texas (Hockaday School)
8.
3:14 p.m.
Rachel Hartman
Dallas, Texas (Ursuline Academy)
9.
3:52 p.m.
Nikki Bush
Clinton, Miss. (Clinton HS)
10.
4:24 p.m.
Kathleen Walsh
Birmingham, Ala. (Spain Park HS)
11.
2/2 8:58 a.m.
Amanda Carreno
Tulsa, Okla. (Union HS)
12.
2/2 9:09 a.m.
Kennedy Richards
Lafayette, La. (St. Thomas Moore HS)
13.
2/2 10:20 a.m.
Natalie Martineau
Oakville, Canada (ES Sainte Famille)
Click Refresh/Reload for latest information.