PROVO -- The seven-time Mountain West Conference tournament Champion BYU women’s soccer team reloads its 2011 roster with another talented recruiting class as they prepare for the West Coast Conference.
2011 Recruits
Name: Annie Amos
Hometown: Pleasanton, CA
Club/Pos: Pleasanton Rage/Def.
Highlight: #1 Ranked HS in Nation
Name: Marissa Nimmer
Hometown: Orem, UT
Club/Pos: Celtic Storm/MF
Highlight: All State MVP 2009, 2010
Name: Hilary Smith
Hometown: Orem, UT
Club/Pos: Celtic Storm/GK
Highlight: All State, 1st Team
Name: Jaiden Thornock
Hometown: Ogden, UT
Club/Pos: La Roca/Fwd
Highlight: Ms. Soccer 2010
Name: Kayla Varner
Hometown: Henderson, NV
Club/Pos: Neusport/MF
Highlight: NSCAA All-American
“We are thrilled to bring these five new players into our program” said head coach Jennifer Rockwood. “There is great quality, experience, and athletic ability coming in for next year. They will all be a tremendous addition to BYU both on and off the field, and are anxious to join the team. As we begin a new era for our program in the WCC, bringing in the very best student athletes is a huge priority for us right now. This group will help our program continue to grow.”
All five recruits combine for numerous state championships and All-State recognitions. Also included is an All-American from Nevada and the Player of Year from Utah. A well-balanced mix of players will add to the cast of returning players who recently finished another outstanding year as a nationally-ranked team.
The incoming freshmen will join the Cougars in early August as they chase their eighth first-place conference finish. The Cougars begin their 2011 campaign on the road with matches against Colorado College and Washington.
ANNIE AMOS
Defender
Pleasanton, Calif.
Foothill High School
Pleasanton Rage (Darin Preszler)
High School Team Ranked #1 in the Nation for 2009 ... All-State Honorable Mention in 2010... Varsity Team Captain in 2010 and 2011 ... Most Valuable Player in 2008 ... Most Inspiration Player in 2010 ... NCS Semi-Finalist in 2009 ... EBAL Champions in 2009 ... Scholar Athlete in 2008, 09, 10 and 11 ... Generation of Excellence in 2009 and 2010 ... State Cup quarter-finalists in 2010 ... State Cup semi-finalists in 2009 ...National Honor Society in 2009 and 2010
Coach Rockwood about Annie:
“Annie’s athletic ability and work rate are outstanding. She will fit in very well with our style of play. Annie is a solid defender, strong in the air, and possesses great attacking skills as she comes forward for the backline. She has played at a very high level on her club team and is well prepared for the demands of the next level.”
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MARISSA NIMMER
Midfielder
Orem, Utah
Timpanogos High School
Celtic Storm (Brent Anderson)
All-State MVP in 2010 and 2009 ... Girls Soccer Player of the Year from the Daily Herald in 2010 ...Holds the Timpanogos High School scoring record of 85 goals ... 2010 High School captain ... High School State Champion in 2009 ... High School State Finalist in 2009 ... High School State Semi-Finalist in 2007 and 2008 ... Four year high school starter ... All-State Second Team in 2007 ... All-Valley MVP in 2009 ... Region 4 First Team in 2007 and 2008 ... All-Tournament MVP in 2009 ... Wendy’s Heisman Trophy Timpanogos Winner in 2010 ... Academic All-Region for all four years ... Top Ten Scoring in 4A for 2009 and 2010 ... Celtic Storm Club Captain for all four year ... Nomads Cup Finalist in 2010 ... Utah Sports Rap Region 4 Female Athlete of the Week in 2007
Coach Rockwood on Marissa:
“Marissa is an extremely versatile player. She has a great command of the field, and understands the game at a high level. She is technically solid, has great vision, and connects well in the midfield. Marissa is always a scoring threat with tremendous range off her left foot. She has led her team in scoring at both the high school and club levels.“
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HILARY SMITH
Goalkeeper
Orem, Utah
Orem High School
Celtic Storm (Layne Bowen)
First Team All-State in 2010 ... Region 7 Goalie MVP in 2010 ... Defensive MVP in 2010 ... Orem High School Varsity All-State Second Team in 2008 ... Orem High School Varsity as a freshman... Orem High School Junior Varsity MVP as goalie in 2007 ... Inter FC 92 Premier Keeper of the Year in 2006 ... Inter FC 92 Premier MVP for the 2007 year ... 2009 Las Vegas Cup Champions ... 2008 State Cup Finalists with Celtic Storm
Coach Rockwood about Hilary:
“Hilary has a great presence in the goal. Her height , quickness, and athletic ability really give her amazing potential. She is capable of the big save that often can be the difference in the outcome of a game. The addition of Hilary to our talented group of keepers will solidify our future in the goal.”
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JAIDEN THORNOCK
Forward
Ogden, Utah
Bonneville High School
La Roca (Adolfo Ovalle)
Ms. Soccer 2010 from Deseret News ... All-State First Team in 2010 ... All-Area MVP in 2010 ... 4A State champions as team captain in 2010 ... 4A All-State MVP in 2008 ... ESPN Rise/Gatorade Player of the Year for Utah in 2009 ... 4A All-State MVP in 2009 ... All-Area MVP in 2008 ... All-State First Team in 2009 ... All-Area First Team in 2009 ... 4A State Finalists in 2009 ... All-State Honorable Mention as a freshman in 2007
Coach Rockwood about Jaiden:
“Jaiden loves to go forward, take on defenders and score goals. She has all the attributes we look for in a forward and a tremendous work rate on both sides of the ball. She can break down a defense, get to the end line and set up her teammates. Jaiden is team player and competitor at the highest level. She knows what is takes to win and is always willing to give it her all.“
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KAYLA VARNER
Forward/Midfield
Henderson, Nev.
Green Valley High School
Neusport (Tom Amick)
NSCAA All-American in 2009 ... NSCAA All-Region in 2009 ... Offensive MVP as a freshman in 2007 ... Team Captain in senior year ... State Athlete of the Month in 2010 ... Top goal scorer in the state of Nevada with 32 goals in 2007 ... All-City First Team in 2007 ... All-Region First Team in 2007 ... All-State First Team in 2007 ... Team MVP in 2008 ... Athlete of the Month in January of 2007 ... Team MVP in 2009 ... Athlete of the Month in 2009 ... Southwest Division Champ ... Top goal scorer in the state of Nevada with 29 in 2008
Coach Rockwood about Kayla:
“Kayla plays with tremendous energy and passion. She consistently gets up and down the field with real purpose and is always looking for opportunities to score. Kayla is a very skilled player and also has the ability to direct and control the flow of a game with her ability to connect and distribute the ball. She recently scored her 100th goal for her high school team; her ability to find the net is sure to carryover to her collegiate career.”
