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University of Houston Athletics
Soccer Adds Seven During Signing Period
2/14/2007 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Feb. 14, 2007
HOUSTON - University of Houston soccer coach Bill Solberg announced his 2007 signing class of seven student-athletes Wednesday. All seven signed National Letters of Intent and the group includes three midfielders, two forwards and two defenders.
Elizabeth Babb (Hickory Creek, Texas/Lewisville HS), Stephanie Booker (Austin Texas/Stony Point HS), Lauri Byrne (Southlake, Texas/Southlake Carroll HS), Brittany Cannon (Carrollton, Texas/Creekview HS), Chelsea Palmer (Plano, Texas/Plano East HS), Jessica Rathweg (Spring, Texas/Klein HS) and Crystal Trevino (Austin, Texas/McNeil HS) make up the signing class.
"I think we filled some needs with some talented players," Solberg said. "Obviously, we've got some big holes to fill with the graduation of Sophia Mundy, Jennifer Dry and Sarah Fisher. These signings will enable us to keep moving forward in our development as a team and allow us to continue to become one of the better teams in Conference USA."
Byrne is a natural forward and a product of the D'Feeters Soccer Club where she was coached by Cara Hunt. She is a goal scorer who also possesses the ability to make her teammates better.
"She is quick, fast, dynamic and unselfish," Solberg said. "Her vision of the field is among the best and will look to immediately pair with fellow newcomer (Chelsea) Palmer on the front line. Watch for her streaking down the field and wreaking havoc on the opposing team's defense. Definitely a player to watch."
Palmer joins the Cougars out of the Solar Soccer Club in Dallas, Texas where she was coached by Kevin Smith and Nick Stavrou. She is coming off a knee injury, but still has the ability to be a force anywhere on the field. Palmer is multi-dimensional whose level of play does not change on or off the ball.
"Chelsea is a strong and determined player," Solberg said. "She will see time up front and we would like to pair her with (Lauri) Byrne. We think that they can give us a great 1-2 punch. Her biggest asset may be her ability to play with her back to goal. She's also strong in a holding roll and has no fear when it comes to taking on defenders."
Rathweg is the lone native Houstonion in the class, a product of the Challenge Soccer Club coached by Pat O'Toole. She has excelled in all facets of the game and will give the Cougars an stalwart in the middle of the field. She is an excellent striker of the ball, ball winner and distributor.
"The thing that sold us on Jessica was her passion for the game," Solberg said. "She has a great soccer mind and I think she can contribute immediately in either the center of midfield or defense. She has the intangibles to emerge as a leader for this team that sets a great example for everyone."
Babb, a native of the Dallas area, also played for Smith and Stavrou at the Solar Soccer Club. She is coming off back-to-back knee surgeries and should recover in time to contribute in preseason. Babb is a utility player that will see time in all three areas of the field.
"Izzy is a bulldog," Solberg said. "She's feisty, scrappy and plays with a lot of energy and grit. She's very determined and coachable and also is dynamic as she can play in both an attacking or defending role."
Booker and Trevino, both Austin, Texas, natives, were teammates at the Lonestar Soccer Club and coached by Jim Wain. Booker is an athlete with speed, agility and an exceptional vertical leap. She will see immediate time at defender and forward.
"Booker gives us an added dimension in that can strike a ball with either foot," Solberg said. "She's a speedster with good acceleration and she's also a dynamic tackler. We expect her to add a new dimension to the lineup."
Trevino is a ball-hawking center midfield who's has great vision and knowledge of the game. She's a strong player both on and off the ball and should compliment nicely the pieces UH already has in place.
"She's got a great soccer mind," Solberg said. "She's very possession-oriented and has a very high work rate. She'll bring energy, discipline, vision and leadership to this team."
Cannon is also a Dallas native who played for coach Kenny Medina at the esteemed Dallas Texans Soccer Club. She will compete for one of the outside midfielder slots but has the ability to also play anywhere on the back line. She's another player with a great soccer mind who's also very coachable.
"Brittany offers experience playing at the highest level," Solberg said. "She will be a key cog for us as she can link the defense to the forward line and start the attack. Her ability to play multiple positions will pay off for us as well, because it never hurts to have depth at this level."
"This 2007 class is not only a collection of individual brilliance but is also a group of extraordinary talents," recruiting coordinator Susan Bush said. "These players have high expectations for themselves and for their teammates. Our staff hand selected each player to bring a different dimension and dynamic to our program. The group includes speed, leadership, athleticism, goal scorers and true competitors. If the 2007 class lives up to their potential the next four years of Cougar Soccer look promising."
