Photo Album
**Note: For more information on each recruit, including pictures, please click on the "Women's Soccer 2010-11 Signing Class" at the top of the page**
CEDAR CITY, Utah - Feb. 3 - Southern Utah women's soccer head coach Brian Stock has announced the addition of five student-athletes to the women's soccer program for the 2010-11 season. The list includes Kally Barker (Beaverton, Ore./Beaverton HS), Kristy Baron (West Valley City, Utah/Hunter HS), Sabrina Hernandez (Lake Forest, Calif./El Toro HS), Vanessa Lilii (La Palma, Calif./John F. Kennedy HS) and Megan Mower (Alpine, Utah/Lone Peak HS).
"We are so excited to welcome this group of players to the Thunderbird family," Stock said. "There is a wealth of talented players in the youth game today and we are very fortunate to be bringing these five into our program. Our main goal with the class of 2010 was to add players who could bring a unique combination of abilities and strengths; each are solid soccer players in their own right and will fill some big shoes left by the departure of our seniors.
"It was evident through the recruiting process that each of these young women have exceptional character and are not afraid to work hard for what they want," he continued. "They know how to win, they want to win and will all make a positive impact on our team from the first day they arrive on campus. We have high expectations for this class and know that they will fit well into the culture of Thunderbird Soccer. We have a strong group of returners who will set the pace for these new players and together we will continue to move towards our goal of winning the Summit League and the reward of our first NCAA tournament."
Barker is a four-year letter winner in soccer and two-time letter winner in track and field at Beaverton High School. Barker helped BHS to an Oregon 6A state semi-finals appearance as a freshman while earning first-team all-district and second-team all-state honors as a sophomore. Barker finished her career with second-team all-district accolades while serving as team captain as a senior. Barker played club with FC Portland Soccer Academy (Purple) for the last two years and the Tualatin Hills United Soccer Club from 2004-2007.
"We are very excited to have Kally join us next season," Stock said. "She is a dynamic and athletic player and we feel that she will be a significant contributor on the outside for us. Her speed of play and sense for the game make her a threat on different levels. She is a steady and consistent player who wants the ball and wants to create."
Baron is a four-year varsity letter winner at Hunter High School and has led the Wolverines in scoring the past three years while serving as team captain. She earned three all-region citations and was twice named to the Deseret News High Scorers List at HHS. Baron played club for the Utah Avalanche, helping the team to four Utah State Cup championships and a runner-up finish in 2007. The Avalanche captured five consecutive Utah State Premier League championships from 2005-09, compiling an overall record of 38-0-4. Baron was also a two-time member of the Utah ODP team in 2007 and 2008.
"Kristy is a great addition to our squad," Stock said. "She is one of the toughest and strongest players we have seen. In the back, she is an excellent tackler and ball-winner. In the modern college game you need to excel in the air and Kristy brings that element to the team. She has also proven that when she gets forward she can find the goal and produce."
Hernandez is a three-year varsity letter winner and starter at El Toro High School. She has helped ETHS to three consecutive years in the top ten of the CIF-SS and a league championship in 2009. This season, ETHS is currently in first place of the Sea View League. Hernandez has played club with Slammers FC '91 North, helping the team to a Surf College Cup championship in the U19 Gold division and a showing in the finals of the PDA showcase in 2009.
"Sabrina is a true goal scorer," Stock said. "She has proven that she can find the net against some of the best youth teams in the country and we know that this will continue at the college level. Her work rate off the ball is outstanding and she never stops running. Whether for herself or her teammates, she knows how to get into dangerous spots and produce chances. In addition, she works very hard on the defensive side of the ball, which is not glamorous work, but this pressure makes it difficult for teams to play against."
Lilii was a two-year letter winner and starter as a freshman and sophomore at Kennedy North High School. Lilii earned two first-team all-league accolades after tallying 14 goals and 16 assists as a freshman and 12 goals and 20 assists as a sophomore at KNHS, helping the team to the second round of the CIF Division 3 playoffs each year. Lilii was a teammate of Hernandez on Slammers FC '91 North and was a member of the 2009 Surf College Cup championship team. Prior to joining Slammers, Lilii played for Legends FC from 2008-09. Legends advanced to the finals of the Surf Cup and finished second in the Coast Soccer Premier League during her tenure. Lilii is the first women's soccer player to have played with a national side (American Samoa) to sign at SUU, appearing in the 2007 South Pacific Games - a World Cup qualifying tournament.
"Vanessa possesses pure athletic ability and a soft touch," Stock said. "She has the speed to be very dangerous in the attacking third - to go at defenders and still is able to recover defensively. She sees the game well and is a savvy runner off the ball. Vanessa has great confidence with the ball at her feet and can beat opponents on the pass or the dribble."
Mower is a three-year starter and letter winner at Lone Peak High School, helping the Knights to three consecutive region championships from 2006-08. LPHS also advanced to the championship game in the UHSAA 5A bracket in 2006 and 2007. Mower was also a stalwart on the track, claiming the region title in the women's 100-meters and 4x400-meter relay. The relay team went on to finish second at state as Mower finished ninth in the 100-meters and 300-meter hurdles. Mower played club with the Utah Avalanche '92, helping the team to a Surf College Cup championship in the U19 Super division in 2009.
"Megan is a player who came to us later in the recruiting process," Stock said. "She is an accomplished sprinter, but her love is soccer. Her ability to run past defenders will make her a dangerous college player. Megan is difficult to catch when she gets in the open field and this will be a great asset to our team."
Southern Utah will kick off the 2010 season when the Thunderbirds host the UNLV Rebels in an exhibition match on Saturday, August 14. The season will officially get under way with a road game at Utah Valley on August 20 before the T-Birds host their home opener on Wednesday, August 25 against Embry-Riddle.
