Cougar Soccer Bolsters Squad; Announces Class of 2004

Feb. 6, 2004

University of Houston head women's soccer coach Bill Solberg today announced the Cougars have signed six high school seniors to National Letters of Intent with the group set to join the squad this fall. Among the list of soon-to-be Cougars are two defenders, two offensive midfielders, one outside midfielder and one forward.

"We feel we really addressed some areas of concern with this year's class. We think we found some offensive players who are great goal scorers, and can create many more goal-scoring opportunities for us next year," said Solberg, who enters his fifth year as head of the program. "We also added some speed and depth at the outside midfield and defender positions. This year's class may be the most athletic class we have signed. They work so hard on the field and really have a blue-collar mentality."

The main focus of this recruiting class was to add goal scorers and those who would work to set people up to score.

Along with addressing the Cougars' offensive needs, adding depth to the defender position was also important to replace two very strong and experienced seniors -- 2003 team captains Emily Allwardt and Nicole Aubuchon, both who graduated.

Headlining the Cougars' signees are defenders Ashleigh Williams from Houston, Texas, and Rachel Trent from Carmel, Ind. (Carmel High School).

Williams comes to Houston from the Challenge Soccer Club, which was ranked as the twelfth-best team in the nation ranked by NationalRankings.com, where she plays the central defender position in a flat back-four system. She is expected to graduate from Jersey Village High School among the top ten in her class of 803, and Solberg expects her to step in and be an immediate force for the Cougars.

"Ashleigh is an extremely hard working defender who is not afraid to tackle with some authority and win balls out of the air," said Solberg. "She also strikes a ball tremendously. She takes most of the Challenge set-plays and serves a great ball."

Trent, a 5"5' defender, is team captain for the Carmel Heat, the number one team in the State of Indiana as well as the eighth-ranked club in the nation and 15th ranked team in the nation, according to Adidas Rankings. Solberg and his staff expect her to see playing time in the back line and possibly in the midfield for the Cougars in 2004.

"Rachel is a hard working fearless defender, good one on one defender, who will inspire her teammates with her great work ethic, " said Houston assistant coach Dano Holcomb, who recruited Trent. "She is a very consistent player to be counted on getting the job done game in and game out."

In addition to her successful soccer career thus far, Trent has also spent time with the Region II Regional Pool team for the Olympic Development Program. in 2001 and 2002.

On the offensive side of the ball are offensive midfielders Brooke Simon (Mundelein, Ill./Mundelein HS), Kerinya West (Tacoma, Wa./JFK Memorial HS) and Chelsea Davis (Walnut Creek, Calif./Northgate HS) and forward Vicky Rodriguez (Federal Way, Wa./JFK Memorial).

Like Trent, Simon is currently the captain of her club team in Libertyville, Ill., Eclipse, which currently maintains a 33rd ranking in the nation by NationalRankings.com and 13th according to adidas. An offensive threat, the Cougars are expecting Simon to create much-needed goal scoring opportunities next fall.

"Brooke brings great vision, unselfish play, leadership and an incredible work rate," said Solberg. "We are looking for her to set players up in the final third as well as take on a role of scoring goals for us. She is one of the players we targeted to help address the lack of scoring last year."

The first recruit out of California in Houston's program history, Davis brings versatility to the Cougars in the midfielder and forward positions. Currently playing for the Walnut Creek Strikers - ranked third in the state and 31st in the nation overall by adidas -- in Walnut Creek, Calif., she's a force which Solberg and his staff expect to put into the starting rotation immediately. In addition, Davis also plays on Northern California State's team for the Olympic Development Program.

"Chelsea displays great vision in the center of the field as well as the ability to play some great through balls in the offensive third to set up her fellow goal scorers," began Solberg. "Despite being only 5"3', she plays much bigger challenging and winning head-balls over taller opponents."

The final two additions - Vicky Rodriguez and Kerinya West - are teammates from the F.C. Royals in Puyallup, Wa. The Royals are currently ranked second in the state and 71st overall in the nation according to adidas.

Due to her natural ability at the forward position and the fact that she leads her team in goals, Solberg and his staff targeted Rodriguez, who spent time with the Olympic Development Program on the Regional Pool Team in 1999.

"We first saw her play in a tournament held here in Houston and noticed her "buzzing" around the field, creating nightmares for opposing defenders," commented Solberg. "We have high expectations for her to score 10-15 goals this coming season." West, who has the ability to play both the midfielder and defender positions, will challenge for playing time immediately.

"Kerinya is a gifted left sided player whose athletic ability will allow her to play a left defender or left midfielder immediately," said Holcomb. "Her pace and speed allow her to get past opposing players and use her left foot to supply dangerous serves."

The Cougars open the 2004 season against Rice at Robertson Stadium, and the schedule will be announced soon.

2004 Cougar Soccer Signees
Player Yr. Pos Hometown/Previous School
Ashleigh Williams, Fr., D, Houston, Texas/Jersey Village HS
Brooke Simon, Fr., MF/F, Mundelein, Ill./Mundelein HS
Vicky Rodriguez, Fr., F, Federal Way, Wa./JFK Memorial HS
Kerinya West, Fr., MF/D, Tacoma, Wa./JFK Memorial HS
Rachel Trent , Fr., D, Carmel, Ind./Carmel HS
Chelsea Davis, Fr., MF, Walnut Creek, Calif./Northgate HS

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