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University of Houston Athletics
Houston Soccer Announces 2002 Signees
2/7/2002 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Feb. 7, 2002
Houston, Texas - Head Coach Bill Solberg of the women's soccer team announced today the signing of eight players for next year's Cougar squad. The soccer staff had a big job ahead of them after the fall season, needing to replace ten seniors who joined the program at its inception in 1998. Solberg and his staff signed seven high school players and one transfer to join the team in the fall of 2002.
"We are pumped about our new class." Head coach Bill Solberg commented on the class, "We lost many key seniors that played a major role in our program for four years. We feel we addressed those areas and brought in some players that without a doubt will make major contributions immediately."
The leading player signed is transfer Alison Sinclair. Sinclair, a strong defender from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, will be a strategic addition to the lineup and a much needed defender. Sinclair is transferring from Clemson University where last season the team finished 19-3-1 for the year and finished the regular season as ACC Champions while maintaining a top ten national ranking.
"Alison adds speed, athleticism, tackling ability and great attitude to our defense," states head coach Bill Solberg. "Her immediate impact on our program will help our young team to continue to be competitive in Conference USA and at the national level."
Julie Cole has also been added to the Cougar's roster. Cole, from Lumberton, Texas, is a 5-4 midfielder or forward. Cole's accolades include being one of the leading scorers in the greater Houston area and playing with South Texas Olympic Development Program. Julie was also recruited by Baylor, Miami and Southwest Texas State and has maintained a 4.5 GPA at Lumberton High School. She was team MVP for two consecutive years and All-Region leading scorer in 2001.
"Julie is one of the hardest working players that I have ever seen. She is the type of player that will work hard to create turnovers and then be on the end of a serve for a great finish. Julie Cole is the type of player that you want on the field because of her work rate and great attitude."
Kelly Golden, from Kingwood, Texas, is a 5-7 forward who was the leading scorer for her Kingwood High School State Championship team. She was a participant in the South Texas Olympic Development Program and maintains a 3.5 grade point average at Kingwood high school. Golden was also invited to be an ESP All-Star and was recruited by North Carolina, Florida, LSU, Oklahoma State and Mississippi State.
"Kelly Golden has won us over with her ability as a natural goal scorer," says Solberg. "Her speed athleticism and coachability are going to be a threat to every team we face. Every time she touches the ball could very well lead to a goal."
Sara Hemmer comes to Houston from Carrolton, Texas and Creekview High School. Hemmer was also recruited by SMU, Baylor and Texas Tech and has been a member of the Region III Team since 1997. IN addition to being a Regional Pool Player, she earned many awards while attending Creekview, including 2000 and 2001 6-5A All-District Team and Utility Player of the Year.
"Sara (Hemmer) is a player that has it all," said Solberg. "She can play anywhere at anytime because of her amazing vision and knowledge of the game. She also has the ability to control matches in the center midfield. Her passion and love for the game are contagious!"
From Las Vegas, Nevada, Meghan Moreo joins the team as a top defender from the State Champion Bishop Gorman high school. Moreo also played with her state's Olympic Development Team. She was an All-Star for Region III ODP program and won national championships in Nevada in 1999 and 2001, with runner-up status between years. Moreo was also recruited by Loyola Marymount, St. Mary's (Cal.), and UNLV.
Coach Solberg commented about Moreo, "Meghan is a strong competitor that thrives on physical play. She can mark the opposing teams best player right out of the game. In addition to her athletic ability she also is a hard worker with a great attitude."
A midfielder /defender from Dover, Florida, Beth Outlaw will be a strong addition to the Cougar squad. Outlaw was the captain of her high school team and a key player for the nationally recognized Blackwatch Stirling Soccer Club. She has received many awards recently including: All-Conference, 1st-team All-County, Tampa Tribune 1st-team All-Area, and team MVP. Outlaw is currently Florida's high school leading scorer in 2001-02 with 18 goals and 23 assists.
"Beth is one of the best left-footed players that I have seen, states Solberg. "She has the ability to strike a ball sixty yards and put it on a players foot. She has the ability to compete for several different positions and will be guaranteed successful anywhere on the field."
Erin Ferguson is joining the team from Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Ferguson is a goalkeeper from Glen Ellyn West High School who played with the Illinois Olympic Development program and the Windy City Pride out of Chicago. Ferguson was also invited to be a member of the Advanced National Training Camp.
Goalie Sarah Webster will join the Cougars from Indianapolis, Indiana and Hamilton Southeastern High School. In addition to playing with the Indiana Olympic Development team from 1997 to 1999, Webster also played for the National runner-up Carmel Cosmos. She was voted ICGSA 2nd-team All-State and Indiana All-Star and Indiana Top-Team in 2001.
"Both Erin and Sarah are very athletic goalkeepers that will compete on a daily basis for our starting position. Both communicate very well out of the back and can come up with game saving plays at any moment."
