May 23, 2007
San Antonio – St. Mary’s University women’s soccer coach Corwyn Ritch announced on Tuesday the signing of six players to national letters of intent to join the Rattlers, starting with the 2007-08 academic year. Signing on with the Rattlers was Harker Heights native Danielle Anderson, El Paso native Carolina Hernandez, Beubrook native Heather Kain, Iowa Park native Jamie Montero, Rhome native Lauren Scally and Baytown native Carisa Trousdale.
Anderson, a 4’11” midfielder, was a four-year letter winner for Coach James Gay at Harker Heights High School. She was a three-time all-district selection, including two first team selections. She was named her team MVP as a junior as well. She also played for the Lonestars Club Team in Austin, helping the team to the United States Youth Soccer National Cup semifinals the last three years. Off the field she was a member of the National Honor Society, Who’s Who Among American High School Students, was her sophomore and junior class presidents and earned academic all-district.
“She is very quick and has excellent footwork,” Ritch said. “She is a definite threat to score from the outside.”
Hernandez, 5’3″ forward, was a scoring machine for Franklin High School and coach Scott Gilmore. She scored 38 goals and added 18 assists over the last two seasons, earning all-district recognition. She helped FHS to the district championship in 2005 and the area title in 2006. Off the field she was a member of the National Honor Society and the Student Council.
“She should give us some excellent support in the center midfield position,” Ritch said. She can make a pass to any player from anywhere on the field.”
Kain, a 5’4″ defender, was a three-time all-district performer for coach Victor Garcia at Western Hills High School. She was a four-year letter winner in soccer, and helped WHHS to an area championship and a pair of bi-district titles. She also ran cross country for two years, qualifying for the regional championships twice. She played for the Texas Lightening Club Soccer team for the last two years. Off the field she was her senior class vice-president, was named to Who’s Who Among American High School Students, was a member of the National Honor Society, an AP Scholar and a Dean’s List member.
“Heather is a strong outside defender, who has great instincts to win the ball,” Ritch said. “She also comes from a strong club program.”
Montero, a 5’8″ goalkeeper, was a two-year letter winner for coach Rob Woodard at Wichita Falls High School.
“Jamie is a very athletic goalkeeper who will contend for the number one spot in goal,” Ritch said. “She has great hands and great size.”
Scally, a 5’2″ forward, comes to San Antonio from Northwest High School, where she was a standout for coach Carrie Jobe. She was the team’s leading scorer all four years at NHS and was her team captain as a junior and senior. She also played club soccer for Dallas-Fort Worth United. Off the field she was named to Who’s Who Among American High School Students and earned awards for her work in Biology, government and art.
“Lauren is very physical and very fast,” Ritch said. “She really has a nose for the ball and is willing to sacrifice to give her team an opportunity.”
Trousdale, a 5’6″ goalkeeper, was a three-year standout for coach Jay Langlois at Robert E. Lee High School. She earned all-district honors twice in goal and was her team captain once. She was named athlete of the week after making 24 saves in the team’s district opener her sophomore year. She also plays club soccer for Texas Rush, helping the team to the 2004 Director’s Cup Championship and a third place finish at the 2006 South Texas USYSNC STYSA State Cup. She was also very active off the field, earning the National Merit Award in English and Literature, the 2006 USAA National Leadership and Service Award, was a member of the National Honor Society and was a member of the German Club.
“Carisa is set to contend for the starting spot in goal this season,” Ritch said. “She is very technically sound and has received great training.”
St. Mary’s finished the 2006 season with a 10-4-5 record, just missing out on a berth into the NCAA Division II playoffs. The Rattlers recovered from a slow start to finish the season 8-2-2 and ranked fifth in the Southwest Region. The top four teams in the region advance to the NCAA playoffs.