PROVO -- The BYU women's soccer signed three athletes to national letters of intent, BYU head coach Jennifer Rockwood announced today.
The BYU women's soccer team, which finished No. 23 in the nation with a record of 15-2-4 during 2005, returns seven starters and 25 players for the 2006 season, including eight seniors.
Although the Cougars recruited nine freshmen last year, Rockwood believes only a few additions are necessary to make the 2006 team successful.
"We've been fortunate to bring in a large number of recruits over the past three years that has established the base of our roster," Rockwood said. "Although this is a small class for BYU, we feel that they will have a strong impact on our program this coming fall. "
The Cougars received national letters of intent from midfielder Kristi Dow (LaVerne, Calif.), defender Ashleigh Jameson (Tyler, Texas) and goalkeeper Aleena Shelton (Layton, Utah).
"We are excited about the potential of these players," Rockwood said. "They are three talented and experienced athletes, who have excelled at the high school, club and ODP (Olympic Development Program) levels. We expect great things from them both on and off the field."
Dow, a four-year letter winner, was named First Team All-League in 2004 and 2005, offensive MVP in 2005 and team captain in 2006. Dow also received recognition from the SGV Tribune in 2005 with the Female Athlete Award. During club play, Dow plays for the Southern California's Claremont Stars in the Coast Soccer League and won the 2005 Harvest Cup.
Jameson is a powerhouse defender who has earned many opportunities to excel on the state and national levels. She has dominated on the high school level, earning First Team All-District recognition beginning her freshman year. During 2004-05 Jameson was the Defensive MVP for District 12-5A, as well as being named First Team All-East Texas and First Team All-Region II. From 1998-2005 Jameson played for the East Texas Spirit Soccer Club, serving as team captain each of those years, and joined the D'Feeters in 2005. Jameson also played on the ODP Region team from 2002-04.
BYU welcomes Shelton, another dominant goalkeeper to join junior Erika Woodbury in the goal. Shelton is a four-year letter winner for Clearfield High School, while serving as team captain her senior year. She was also a First Team All-State selection by the Salt Lake Tribune in 2005 and played for the Utah ODP from 2001-05. She plays club soccer for the Utah Rush, formerly the Utah Football Club.
2006 BYU Cougar Soccer Signees
NAME: Kristi Dow
POSITION: MF
HOMETOWN: LaVerne, Calif.
HIGH SCHOOL: Bonita
CLUB TEAM: Claremont Stars
2003-06 varsity starter ... 2003-05 Miramonte League Champions ...
2004-05 First Team All-League ... 2003-04 CIF Semifinals ... 2005
SIF Quarterfinals ... 2005 Offensive MVP ... 2006 Team Captain ...
2005 SGV Tribune Female Athlete Award ... 2005-06 varsity volleyball
... 2005 Harvest Cup Champions ... Top 5% of class ... Principal's
Honor Roll ... 2003-06 Scholar Athlete.
NAME: Ashleigh Jameson
POSITION: D
HOMETOWN: Tyler, Texas
HIGH SCHOOL: Robert E. Lee
CLUB TEAM: D'Feeters
1998-2005 member East Texas Spirit Soccer Club ... 1998-2005 East
Texas Spirit Team Captain ... 2002-present member NTSAA ODP State
Team ... 2003-04 member region III ODP Team ... 2004-05 Gothia Cup,
Sweden Quarterfinalist ... 2003-05 First Team All-District ...
2004-05 All East Texas First Team ... 2004-05 Defensive MVP
District 12-5A ... 2004-05 All-East Texas First Team ... 2004-05
All-Region II First Team ... 2004-05 Varsity soccer team captain
... 2004-05 varsity track regional qualifier 200M, 4X400M ...
Top 5% of class ... Principal's Honor Roll ... 2003-06 Scholar
Athlete.
NAME: Aleena Shelton
POSITION: GK
HOMETOWN: Layton, Utah
HIGH SCHOOL: Clearfield
CLUB TEAM: Utah Futbol Club/ Utah Rush
2001-05 Utah ODP team ... 2001-03 Region IV Camp ... 2005 First
Team All-State, SL Tribune ... 2005 team captain ... 2002-05
starting goalkeeper ... 2005varsity basketball ... honor roll
... student government officer.