Stone signs 'high level' recruiting class for 2003 season

By TTU Sports Information

February 13, 2003

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Greg Stone raised the level of expectations for his women’s soccer team today with the announcement that eight talented recruits have signed to play for the Golden Eagles in 2003.

"We are very excited about this quality recruiting class. We signed some high level players who will make an immediate impact to the program," said Stone, preparing for his fifth season with the Golden Eagles. "All of these players are very talented and we’re happy to have them in our program."

Tech’s 2003 recruiting class comes from five different states with three players from Texas, two from Georgia and one from Tennessee, Florida and Colorado. The new Golden Eagles include: Amber Gifford, Lakeland, Fla.; Joni Simmons, Cleburne, Texas; Julie VanderWal, Highlands Ranch, Colo.; Brittney Barnett, Rosenberg, Texas; Allison Goddard, Houston, Texas; Stacia Dykes, Macon, Ga.; Rachel Hayward, Stone Mountain, Ga.; and Jessica Dority, Clarksville, Tenn.

Gifford comes to the Golden Eagles after closing out a fine prep career at Lakeland Christian School under coach Dean Johnson. She has helped her team to five district championships, four regional finals and one state championship final. As a junior, Gifford scored 48 goals and 25 assists on the season, earning District Player of the Year honors and a spot on the all-state first-team for the second year in a row.

The midfielder/forward has also been very active at the club level, playing for the Tampa Bay Heather U-18 team. Gifford was named to the Olympic Development Program regional pool in 1998 and has been named to the ODP state team every year since 1997. She was a member of the Superclubs National Championship team in 1999 and regional championship team in 2001. She also participated at the ODP National Championship in 2001 with the Florida ODP state team.

Gifford, the daughter of Donald and Tina Gifford, wants to major in psychology at Tech.

"Amber comes to us with a lot of experience and skill and should help boost our attack next season. She’s very good 1-on-1 and has great skill and speed and will impact our program immediately," said Stone.

Simmons has a vast background in club soccer, and will bring that competitive experience to the Purple and Gold next season. She played for the Fort Worth United from 1996-2000 before joining the nationally prestigious D’Feeters Soccer Club of Dallas, Texas in the Fall of 2001. The forward/midfielder, who led the D’Feeters in scoring last season, made the Texas state ODP team and earned a spot in the regional ODP pool during the 2000 and 2002 seasons. Simmons, the daughter of John and Janet Simmons, is undecided about her college major.

"Joni is a very skillful forward/midfielder with good speed and agility," said Stone. "She has a great work ethic and will contribute a great deal to our team."

VanderWal will bring a lot of skill and talent to the backline. She has played the last three years for coach Jerry Rouse at Thunder Ridge High School as well as playing for the nationally competitive Real Colorado National U-17 Team.

She has helped her high school team to two league championships, a spot in the state semifinals in 2001 and the 2002 Colorado State Championship. VanderWal also helped Real Colorado win the Raleigh Shootout, reach the final four at the Orange Classic, go undefeated in the Texas Shootout and finish second at the Colorado State Cup.

But VanderWal’s abilities don’t stop when she leaves the field. She has a 3.7 grade point average and has been named to Who’s Who Among American High School Students, Academic All-State in 2002 and numerous years in the National Honor Society.

VanderWal, the daughter of Ray and Denise VanderWal, intends to major in elementary education at Tech.

"The addition of Julie to our team tightens up our defense," Stone said, "as she will be a physical presence in the back. She is a very smart and skilled defender who reads the game extremely well."

Goddard comes to Tech after closing out her prep career at Cypress Creek High School. The midfielder helped her high school team to the district championship while earning all-district honors and the team’s Best Offensive Player Award. On the club level, Goddard played for the Challenge Flash U-19 team, which won the Plano Challenge in 2002 and finished second in the Orange Classic. Goddard, the daughter of David and Barbara Goddard, is undecided about her major. However, she carries an impressive academic portfolio with a 6.5 grade point average on a 6.0 scale.

"Allison is a very talented player," Stone said. "She has very good speed and an extremely high work rate. She should make an immediate impact in the central midfield."

Barnett, a teammate of Goddard’s on the Challenge Flash, is a talented forward with great speed and skill. She is closing out her prep career at Lamar High School under the guidance of coach Roy Hernandez. Barnett led her team to district titles her sophomore and junior seasons as well as earning all-district honors each year. She has scored over 100 goals in the past three seasons and is the leading scorer among high school players in the soccer-rich greater Houston area. Barnett has also been a three-year co-captain for her high school team and carries a 101.5 grade point average. In addition, she is also a standout track and cross country runner.

The daughter of John and Judy Barnett, Brittney is undecided about her college major.

"Brittney has great speed and can get behind defenders with her change of pace. She is highly skillful and will contribute both up top and at the wide midfield," Stone said.

Dykes will also contribute in the Tech offensive scheme next season as the powerful forward brings a history of finding the net to the Golden Eagles. She set the scoring record for freshmen at First Presbyterian Day School with 25 goals and 11 assists. She won the team’s Offensive Award in 2000 and 2001, while also earning all-region and all-state honors.

On the club level, Dykes played for Macon Centric United from 1998-2002 before joining the high profile AFC Lightning Soccer Club. She helped the Lightning to the final four of the state cup and go undefeated in the 2002 Tophat Invitational.

Dykes, the daughter of Ronnie and Karis Dykes, intends to major in human ecology at Tech.

"Stacia is very athletic and has good speed," said Stone. "She is a natural goal scorer. She will help us both on the forward line and in the midfield."

Hayward, a member of the St. Pius X Catholic High School team and the Norcross Magic U-18, comes to Tech as a very successful high school and club defender. She helped her St. Pius team to the 4A State Championship in each of the past two seasons. Hayward, who comes from the same high school as current Golden Eagle Jill Burns, has been her club team captain for three years and has been selected as her high school team captain this year. She is the daughter of Rick and Pam Hayward and intends to major in business at Tech.

"Rachel is a fast and physical back who can play both central and wide," Stone said. "She will add some speed to the back line."

More than just a success on the field, Dority also shines in the classroom. The talented midfielder is a member of Who’s Who Among American High School Students, the National Honor Society, the National Honor Roll and has received the National Physical Education Award and the National Leadership and Service Award. Dority, the daughter of Howard and Peggy Dority, intends to major in education at Tech.

On the field, Dority has earned four letters for coach Steve Stedman at Clarksville High School and has been chosen team captain in each of the last two seasons. She helped guide Clarksville to the postseason playoffs. Dority earned several district honors during her time at CHS, including co-Most Valuable Player and Most Versatile Player. Dority also plays for the Clarksville Royals and coach Anthony Smith.

"Jessica has a great work ethic and attitude," Stone said. "She is a skillful player who will contribute in the midfield."

Tech finished the 2002 season with a 12-6-1 record, marking the third consecutive season the Golden Eagles have won at least 12 matches.