HSU Announces 2008 Women's Soccer Recruiting Class

ABILENE, Texas - Hardin-Simmons' women's soccer coach Marcus Wood has announced his recruiting class for 2008.

The 13-member class consists of 13 players, all of whom were first-team all-district selections in high school. Six of the 13 players were district MVPs, six were named all-region and two of the recruits played on The Colony's state championship team. Bailey Holmes, Megan Ryan and Miranda Bersosa combined to score 72 goals last season for their high school teams.

Hardin-Simmons went 19-2-1 last season, won their fifth straight American Southwest Conference title and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. With 16 returning players, the Cowgirls are expected to be one of the preseason national favorites. They finished the year ranked 18^th in the final national poll, but played most of the season without All-American forward Amy Kuykendall, who will be back this year.

Laura Bailey, D, Weatheford
Four time All-District player and two time team defensive MVP. Voted overall Team MVP in 2008 at Weatherford High School. Played club soccer with Aces Black in D2 of the Lake Highlands Girls Classic League. Also recruited by Texas A&M Commerce, Southwestern and Hendrix. Plans to study physical therapy at HSU.

Stephanie Baker, MF, College Station (Northwestern State)
Three time all-district player. Named all-region in 2007. Voted overall Team MVP in 2007 at A&M Consolidated High School. Played club soccer with Challenge and Lonestars. Transfer from NCAA Division I  Northwestern State University. Plans to study Biology at HSU.

Emily Bass, D, College Station
District Defensive MVP, first-team all-region in 2008 and two time all-district player at A&M Consolidated High School. Team Defensive MVP. Played club soccer with Texas Premier. Also recruited by Centenary, North Alabama, Youngstown State, UT-Tyler, Southwestern. 

Miranda Bersosa, MF/F, Abilene
District Offensive MVP in 2008 with 23 goals and 14 assists. 3 time All-District player for Abilene High School. AHS Offensive MVP in 2006 and 2007. MVP at HSU soccer camp. Played club soccer with Abilene Soccer Club. Also recruited by St. Edwards, UT- Permian Basin and Cisco. 

Kelly Craig, MF, Midland
Two-time all-district defender for district champion Midland High. Played club soccer with the Midland Alliance. Younger sister of former Cowgirl player Beth Craig. Plans to study accounting at HSU. 

Katie Davenais, F, The Colony
First-team all-state and three-time all-district forward for The Colony. Named to the UIL All-State tournament team after scoring two goals in the state semifinals and helping her team win the 2007 state championship. Played club soccer with the Dallas Texans and FC Dallas in D2 of the Lake Highlands Girls Classic League. Also recruited by Iowa State, Stephen F. Austin and Dallas Baptist. Plans to study physical therapy. 

Erin Grant, D, The Colony
District 14-4A Defensive MVP and three-time all-district defender for The Colony. Named to the UIL All-State tournament team after scoring the winning goal in the 2007 state championship. Played club soccer with the Dallas Texans in D2 of the Lake Highlands Girls Classic League. Also recruited by Texas Woman's and Midwestern State. Plans to study physical therapy at HSU. 

Bailey Holmes, F/MF, Buda, Texas
District 26-4A Offensive MVP, First-team all-region, first-team all-Centex and four-time all-district forward/midfielder for Hays High School. Scored 20 goals as a junior and 26 goals and 19 assists as a senior. Played club soccer with the Lonestars Soccer Club and AU Capitals. Also recruited by Central Arkansas, Southwestern, Eastern New Mexico, and Mary Hardin-Baylor. Plans to study communications at HSU.

Kayleigh Nager, MF, Weatherford
First-team all-region, 2007 District 4-5A Midfield MVP and three-time all-district midfielder for the Kangaroos. Weatherford MF MVP 2007. MVP at HSU soccer camp. Played club soccer with East Texas Spirit in D2 of the Lake Highlands Girls Classic League. Plans to study criminal investigation/forensic science at HSU. 

Mickey Rogers, MF, Albuquerque, NM.
All-district at Cibola High School while recording 21 assists in her junior year. Played club soccer with AUFC and New Mexico Rush. New Mexico state ODP team 2004-2007.

Rebecca Roth, GK, Weatherford
All-district goalkeeper for the Kangaroos. GK MVP at University of Oklahoma soccer camp and HSU soccer camp. Played club soccer with Texas Lightning Black in D2 of the Lake Highlands Girls Classic League. . Also recruited by Angelo State and Schreiner. Plans to study Biology at HSU.

Melissa Rosales, D/MF, Mission
First-team all-region, First-team all-Valley, and four-time all-district player at Sharyland High School. Also voted Team MVP. Played club soccer with the Border Bandits. Also recruited by Covenant College, Our Lady of the Lakes and TWU. Plans to study Sociology at HSU.

Megan Ryan, MF, Kingsville
First-team all-state, four-time all-district, District Offensive MVP and District MVP at Kingsville. Scored 54 goals and 51 assists in high school career, including 23 goals and 16 assists in her senior year. Played club soccer with Express. MVP at Texas A&M Soccer Camp. Also recruited by Lamar. Plans to study Biology at HSU.