COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee Tech soccer coach Becky Fletcher
didn’t take the task of putting her first recruiting class
together lightly, signing 12 girls to play at Tech next year.
Fletcher is excited about the impact that the 2009 freshmen will
make right away.
“From an attacking standpoint, we just added a lot of
variety,” Fletcher said. “We can look at every single
one of these young ladies and know that each one can come in and
contribute immediately and that is something that we wanted with
this class.”
In addition to six girls from Tennessee, Fletcher signed players
from Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Colorado, Hawaii, and Maine. The
large incoming class gives the Golden Eagle bench some much-needed
depth.
“Having some depth at each position is going to be really
good for our program,” Fletcher said. “Now we are in a
position that when we go to the bench the play should continue at a
high level.
“We have quality with this class, not just quantity. If they
live up to their potential, this class could be very
special,” she added. “We feel that with the combination
of our returning players and this group of signees that Tech soccer
will have a little different look next fall.”
Fletcher will have her hands full in the fall, when it comes time
to piece together which players fit well together, and where.
“Finding the right combination of players should be
interesting,” Fletcher said. “But that’s an
exciting problem to have. They’re going to have to compete to
win a spot and to get playing time. I think competition is key to a
successful program; competition everyday will make everyone
better.”
Alex C. Stevenson
Outside back, Cleveland, Tenn.
Cleveland High School (Andy Byrd)
KFC Mustangs (Dom Maples, Mike Kelliher)
At Cleveland High School Alex was named Chattanooga best of preps
in 2007. She was an all-district selection all four years, and
all-region in 2007 and ’08, as well as all-state in 2008. As
Co-captain of her team, Alex helped lead CHS to three straight
district championships from 2006-08, and a regional championship in
2007.
Alex is a National Honor Society member, and earned the TSSAA
Academic Achievement Award, as well as the team TSSAA award all
four years of her career.
“Alex is very hard-working and never stops, and she has a
great attitude.” Chris Walker
“She will be competing for an outside back position. She has
played a variety of positions in high school and club, which shows
her versatility. We think that she will be a solid addition to our
backline.”
Andrea Meloff
Forward, Rochester Hills, Mich.
Rochester Adams High School (Nate Norman)
Livonia City Soccer Club (Rick Larson)
Through three seasons at Rochester Adams High School in Rochester
Hills, Michigan Andrea is a three-time all-conference,
all-district, and all-area selection. She has led her team in
scoring all three seasons, and has 37 goals, 30 assists and 104
points in her career. Andrea has helped her high school team to a
regional championship and state final-four in 2006, and a district
finals appearance in 2008. On the club level, she has won one state
championship, and gone to three state finals. A member of the state
Olympic Development Program team since 2004, Andrea helped her team
to the 2007 regional finals.
Andrea is a member of the Kick-Off Freshman Mentor Program, and a
district qualifier in Business Professionals of America, and plans
on majoring in marketing in the fall at Tech.
“She is a goal-scorer, and she works herself into good
position. She comes from a good club, so she has always played with
good players.” Chris Walker
“Andrea is a somewhat of a soccer junkie. She loves the
game. Her speed and comfort level with the ball give her the
ability to create opportunities for her team. She is a true front
runner that loves to run at teams and can attack them in a variety
of ways. We are excited about her attacking mentality.”
Jennee Kimball
Midfield/Forward, Memphis, Tenn.
Harding Academy (Justin Battleo)
Lady Lobos (Kieron Heblich)
Jennee set the career assist record at Harding Academy in Memphis,
and finished her high school career at No. 3 all-time in Tennessee.
She started on varsity all four years of high school, and was
captain her senior season. Jennee was a first-team all-state
selection in 2008 after scoring 27 goals and adding 21 assists,
leading her team to the state championship title. She was also
named to the Best of the Preps team in 2007 and 2008. She was also
a member of the Tennessee '90 ODP team for two years.
In the classroom, Jennee is a member of National Honor Society,
National Art Honor Society, National Society of High School
Scholars, and is the recipient of the Harding Academy Academic
Scholarship. She will graduate with honors this spring.
“Jennee is a very well rounded player. Her work rate is
impressive on both sides of the ball. She is very comfortable with
the ball at her feet. She can take players on 1v1 and she plays a
great final ball. She is a very versatile player with great
athleticism. She reads the game well and makes very good decisions.
We are excited about the spark that she can provide in the
attacking third.”
Megan Polk
Goalkeeper, Franklin, Tenn.
Franklin High School (Jimmy Burchett)
Stones River Lady Strikers (Graham Whitehouse)
A goalkeeper from Franklin, Tenn., Megan was a co-captain at
Franklin High and earned three varsity letters. She also played
club soccer for Stones River Lady Strikers, and won seven Tennessee
state championships. Meagan is a member of National Honor Society,
and on the Principal’s List academically.
“Megan is 6-feet tall, and has solid hands. She has a good
presence in the goal, and also organizes well. She is a solid
keeper and we expect for there to be a great competition this fall
between our keepers. ” Becky Fletcher
Kerri Reid
Midfield, Peachtree City, Ga.
McIntosh High School (Marcia Clark)
Birmingham United (Eric Dade)
A hard-working midfielder, Kerri earned the team’s sparkplug
award in 2007, and impact award in 2008 at McIntosh High School in
Peachtree City, Ga. Kerri was on the Georgia ODP state team in 2003
and 2004, went to ODP regional camp in 2005, and was an alternate
in 2006. On the club level, Kerri won a state championship, and
Disney championship.
“Kerri is a work horse in the center midfield. She covers a
ton of ground and leaves everything on the field every time she
steps out there. Her work rate is impressive. She is good
technically and very comfortable with the ball. She organizes the
center mid very well and looks to control the flow of the game from
her position. ” Becky Fletcher
Jacquie Watkins
Mid-field, Mililani, HI
Aiea High School (Wanette Shirafuji)
Honolulu Bulls Soccer Club (Phil Neddo)
Jacquie comes to Tennessee Tech from Mililani, Hawaii, as a
forward. Through three seasons at Aiea High School, she has earned
all-division first and second-team honors, two team Most
Outstanding Offensive Player awards, and has served as a team
captain for soccer as well as cross-country. Jacquie is a six-time
ODP participant, and traveled to ODP camp five times. In 2008 she
was selected as one of five soccer players from Hawaii to attend
region IV camp in California. She has been to two US Club U-18
National championship tournament’s, including a third place
finish in 2007.
“Jacquie is a threat to score. She is aggressive, and really
puts the backs under pressure. She has very good pace and a great
work rate.” Becky Fletcher
Kris Cambron
Forward, Soddy-Daisy, Tenn.
Notre Dame (Jim Schormerhorn)
ERSA Express ’91 (Matt Yelton)
As the 2008 Chattanooga Area Player of the Year, Kris has the
ability to beat her defender 1-on-1, and has excellent skills with
the ball. She was a two-time all-state selection, and team MVP in
2008 at Notre Dame in Chattanooga, leading her team to the state
semi-finals four consecutive years. Played club soccer for ERSA
Express ’91 and was on the Tennessee ODP state team in 2007
and 2008.
Kris is an Honor Roll student, and a member of National Honor
Society and the Green and Gold club. She has also received Algebra
I and Community Service awards.
“Kris is an attacking midfielder or center forward. She is
very smooth technically and can hold the ball really well. She has
great field vision and can play a great final ball. She also has
the ability to run at players and the creativity to take on. She
has a knack for scoring goals.” Becky Fletcher
Sarah Gawthrop
Forward, Chattanooga, Tenn.
Baylor School (Jimmy Weekley)
ERSA Express ’91 (Matt Yelton)
Sarah played soccer at Baylor School in Chattanooga, and was team
captain in high school. Playing the forward and mid-field
positions, she led her team to the state finals in 2005 and 2007,
and the state semi-finals in 2006. In 2007 Sarah was named
all-region first-team and "Best of the Preps" second-team. She also
played club soccer for East Ridge Express ’91, and played for
the Tennessee ODP state team for two years. Sarah also competed in
track, and was the 2008 400-Meter and 4-by-1 relay state
champion.
“Sarah has played a lot of different positions at the club
level, which gives her a comfort level with the ball at her feet.
She will be competing for an outside back position. She has really
good speed and can serve a great ball. She will be a very solid
outside back that has the ability to get forward to start our
attack.” Becky Fletcher
Leigh Heffner
Defender, Arvada, Colo.
Faith Christian High School (Amber Jenkins)
Real Colorado Athletico (Brian Haynes)
Leigh comes to Tennessee Tech from Arvada, Colo., where she played
high school soccer at Faith Christian High School. Through three
seasons, she has been named Faith Defensive player of the year
three times. A second-team all-state selection in 2008 Leigh was
team captain, and led her team to a state championship in 2008.
Leigh has been a member of National Honor Society since 2007.
“Leigh is very athletic and has a very strong presence as a
center back. She is good in the air and reads the game very well.
She organizes well and is very comfortable with the ball at her
feet. She is very composed and does a great job of possessing the
ball. She tackles hard and positions herself well. She will be
another great addition to our backline.” Becky Fletcher
Emily Homan
Midfield, Naperville, Ill.
Naperville North High School (Brent Terada)
Eclipse Select (Mike Nesci)
Emily is a mid-fielder who led her team in assists at Naperville
North High School in Naperville, Ill. A four-year starter, she led
her team to conference and regional championships in 2007. Emily
was also a two-time academic all-conference selection.
“Emily comes from one of the top club teams in the country,
and she plays at a very high level. She is a flank player that has
good speed and is very good with the ball at her feet. She works
extremely hard and will bring some variety to our attack.”
Becky Fletcher
Julie Thompson
Center-Mid, Knoxville, Tenn.
Christian Academy of Knoxville (Nathan Pifer)
SMSC Clazeiro (Antonio Almeida)
Julie is a three-time all-district, all-region, and all-state
selection, and a two-time state champion at Christian Academy of
Knoxville, and helped her team to an undefeated season in 2006. She
was a first-team all-prep extra in 2008, and second-team all-prep
extra in 2007. In three years, Julie has scored 37 goals, and has
20 assists.
“Julie is another great addition to our midfield. We plan on
her playing more of a holding/defensive mid position. She is
scrappy and does a great job of winning 50/50 balls. She sees the
field well and does a very good job of positioning herself. She is
good technically and makes good decisions.” Becky
Fletcher
Cassie Lyons
Outside back, South Portland, Maine
South Portland High School (Andy Pappas)
Maine Coast United (Jon Meek)
Cassie is a defensive specialist, and received the Defensive MVP
award in 2007 and 2008. She was also team captain in 2008, and a
member of the quarterback club. Cassie has been a member of
National Honor Society since 2007, and was a Dirigo Girls State
alternate in 2007.
“Cassie is an athletic outside back. She has good speed and
is comfortable with the ball at her feet. She reads the game well
and tackles hard. She can also serve a very good ball. She is a
great addition to our backline.”