PROVO -- The BYU women's soccer team announced four new additions have been added to the 2007-2008 roster. One Texan and three locals have signed national letters of intent to join the prestigious BYU program.
The class includes Stacy Bartholomew, a First Team All-State forward from Orem, Utah; defender Nicole Urry, a First Team All-State and defender from Draper, Utah; 2005 4A high school Player of the Year and three time first-team All-State midfielder from Woods Cross high school, Kassidy Christensen and the team captain of the No. 1-ranked team in the nation in 2007, Rachel Nelson from Plano, Texas.
"These four talented and experienced student-athletes will be a tremendous addition to the BYU women's soccer program," said head coach Jennifer Rockwood. "With the return of nine starters and a total of 23 returning players, we knew that our class of 2007 would be small in numbers, but big in talent."
The four players are expected to be a great addition to the team.
"Each of these players will add strength and depth to our team," said Rockwood. "They are committed to excellence both on and off the field, and they all look forward to representing Brigham Young University."
Bartholomew, an All-State selection from nearby Timpanogos High School, was voted Regional MVP last season. As a high school senior, she scored an impressive 28 goals. Bartholomew was also named to the All Valley Team and the Academic All-Region Team.
Urry has received many awards for her play at Alta High School. The team captain of the No. 2 high school team in the nation has been selected to the All-State First Team for the past two years as well as being named the All-Region Best Defender. Urry, who lettered all four years in high school, led her team to victory as the 2006 State Champions. She also plays for one of the top club teams, Avalanche SC. Her club has won five State Cup titles and has represented Utah in numerous regional and national events.
Woods Cross High School leading scorer and team captain Christensen will add a lot of experience to the BYU roster. The four-year starter has been named to the All-State team for three of her years on the field. Named the most valuable player on her team, Christensen also was named to the Academic All-State team with a 4.0 GPA.
Nelsen, the captain of the No. 1-ranked high school team in the county brings talent to the Cougars all the way from Plano, Texas. The First Team All-District winner has lettered all four years in high school. Nelson competes on the D'Feeters club team and has led her team to three North Texas State Cup Championships.
Some quotes from Coach Rockwood:
"I am very excited to welcome and introduce the class of 2007. These four
talented and experienced student-athletes will be a tremendous addition to
the BYU women's soccer program.
"Nicole, a two-time, 1st Team All State selection, comes from the
championship tradition of Alta High School. She was coached by Lee Mitchell,
the 2007 NSCAA HS coach of the year. Lee had done a tremendous job of
developing competitive athletes. With multiple state titles and HS national
rankings as high as No. 2 in the country, he has prepared his athletes well.
Nicole will join five other Alta standouts who are currently on the roster.
"Nicole has played much of her youth soccer with the Avalanche Soccer Club.
Avalanche has recently been dominating Utah youth soccer, and is well known
for training and preparing their players for the top college programs in the
country. She will join five other Avalanche alumni on the team.
"Kassidy comes to Provo through Wood Cross HS in Bountiful where she helped
lead the team to a State Championship in 2005. She was voted the 4A State
MVP. A three-time All-State selection, Kassidy also excels in the classroom
helping her to earn a 4.0 and a No. 1 class rank.
"Kassidy also helped lead her club team, the Utah Rush, to many successful
league and tournament competitions. She is currently finishing up her club
ball with the Celtic Storm, coached by BYU Alumni, Robyn Bretzing. Robyn has
coached many of the current Cougars and has made a tremendous contribution
to the program through her training and development of youth players .
Kassidy will join six other Celtic Storm alumni.
"Stacy will not be looking too far from home. She comes from Timpanogos HS in
Orem and was coached by former BYU Alumni, Natalyn Lewis. An All-State
selection in soccer, Stacy was voted Region MVP forward as a result of her
28 goals her senior year. She is a gifted athlete who also participates in
basketball and track.
"Stacy also comes from the Celtic Storm Club where she will join both Nicole
and Kassidy on the same team for their last year of club soccer.
"The only out of state player, Rachel Nelsen, will come to us from
Plano, Texas. Rachel is a gifted athlete and competitor who truly has a
passion for BYU soccer. She plays for coach Jen Grubb, a former Notre Dame
All-American. Her Plano West team is currently ranked No. 1 in the nation and is
on track for another State Championship.
"Rachel also competes on one of the top clubs in the country. As a member of
the D'Feeters Soccer Club, she has lead the team to many victories at both
the state, regional, and national levels."
The following are complete biographical sketches of BYU's 2007 signees
Stacy Bartholomew
Position: Forward
Hometown: Orem, Utah
High school (Coach): Timpanogos (Natalyn Lewis)
Club team: Celtic Storm
Height: 5'9"
*First Team All-State, 2006
*28 goals, lead region forward
*Region MVP Forward
*Academic All Region
*Celtic Storm Player of the Year
*Nike Harvest Cup - semi-finalist
*Varsity basketball player
Kassidy Christensen
Position: Forward/ Midfielder
Hometown: Bountiful, Utah
High School (Coach): Woods Cross HS (Tom Angelos, Kevin Rigby)
Club team: Utah Rush SC
Height: 6'
*First Team All-State 2004, 2005 and 2006
*2005 Class 4A State MVP, led Woods Cross to State Championship
*Team captain & MVP Woods Cross soccer 2006
*Woods Cross leading scorer 2003-2006
*ODP State Team 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006
*Two-year varsity basketball player
*Defensive Player of Year basketball 2005
*2006 Academic All-State
*4.0 GPA, class rank No. 1
Rachel Nelson
Position: Defender
Hometown: Plano, Texas
High School (Coach): Plano West High School (Jen Grubb)
Club team: D'Feeters Soccer Club
Height: 5'5"
*Plano West High School team captain, No. 1 ranked HS team in the nation
*2004-2006, ranked in Top-10 of the nation
*First Team All-District
*2004, 2005 and 2006 NTSSA State Cup Champions
*Disney National Soccer Showcase Elite Champions
*WAGS Champions
*National Honor Society member
*President of National Charity League
Nicole Urry
Position: Defender
Hometown: Draper, Utah
High school (Coach): Alta High School (Lee Mitchell)
Club team: Avalanche
Height:5'9"
* 2006 5A State Champions and finished ranked No. 2 in the nation
* 2006 First Team All- State and All-Region Best Defender
* 2006 team captain
* 2005 First Team All-State, First Team Region II
*2004 5A State Champions
*2004 First Team Region II, received All-State Honorable Mention
*Celtic Storm Premier 2006/07
*Celtic Storm - Team Captain
*2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 State Cup Champion with the Avalanche
*2005 Region IV Pool