Feb. 21, 2008

Click Here for even more info. on the signees in the Utah Soccer blog

2008 Recruting Class Photo Gallery

SALT LAKE CITY - University of Utah head women's soccer coach Rich Manning has announced the signing of 10 student-athletes to national letters-of-intent. The 10 future Utes are all high school seniors, who will be freshmen in the Utah program during the 2008 season.

The 10 signees are:
Lauren Dudley - 5-10, D, Las Vegas, Nev., Palo Verde HS, FC Las Vegas
Chelsea Forbes - 5-5, F, Bountiful, Utah, Bountiful HS, Black Diamond SC
Shaylyn Kennedy - 5-10, GK, Murray, Utah, Murray HS, Impact SC
Katie Martinez - 5-6, MF, Littleton, Colo., Chatfield HS, Colorado Rush
Mallory Mitamura - 5-7, MF, Centerville, Utah, Viewmont HS, Utah rush
Lauren Porter - 5-9, MF, Salt Lake City, East HS, Utah Avalanche
Anne Shallenberger - 5-10, F, Orem, Utah, Orem HS, Celtic Storm
Roxanne Tebbs - 5-4, MF, Farmington, Utah, Davis HS, Black Diamond SC
Hannah Turpen - 5-9, GK, San Clemente, Calif., San Clemente HS, So. Cal. Blues
Kellie Woodfield - 5-3, D, Provo, Utah, Timpview HS, Celtic Storm

"I cannot wait," Utah head coach Rich Manning said. "Those three words keep coming to my mind over the last week or so. I can't wait to start working with this world-class group of young ladies. We've contacted each of their high schools and asked their principals and parents to let them graduate early so they can come with us on our trip to Argentina and Uruguay this spring. Unfortunately, none of them were allowed to come out and play with us. I think they're such wonderful people that their folks don't want them to move out yet! So, I guess we'll have to settle for August."

"This has been such an enjoyable group to get to know," Manning continued. "We've been fortunate enough to work with almost all of these players, either through ODP or our summer camps. They are an enthusiastic group - soccer junkies with a lot of positive spirit. The recruiting process has gone crazy over the last few years. And, even in that pressure cooker, these ladies were positive throughout. We took the time to explain what a great experience awaits them here at Utah and our vision for the future of our program. They have embraced it. Our staff and current players are jumping to see how it all is going to mix together come this summer."

Seven members of the class are from Utah, with one each hailing from California, Colorado and Nevada. There are four midfielders in the group, while there are two each at the goalkeeper, defender and forward positions.

"We are excited that more of the top local talent has embraced our vision and will join us in our quest for excellence," Manning said. "This group of 10 players has a wide range of skills. We've got goalkeepers and goal-scorers, sprinters, conductors, competitors and leaders. They really will bring a lot of qualities to our team. And we have a terrific group of returning players who will help make it a smooth transition when they come to join us."

The following is a more in-depth look at Utah's 2007 recruiting class:

Lauren Dudley
Height: 5-10
Position: Defender
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nev.
High School: Palo Verde High School
Club Team/Coach: FC Las Vegas/Amanda Schmutz (former Ute) and Kevin Posey

Coach Manning Says: "Lauren has many qualities that are important for a good center back. She is a strong tackler, good in the air and organizes things well. She also has a `broad-shouldered' personality. She can handle the stress and burden of making plays and decisions in front of her own goal with great ease."

High School: Helped lead Palo Verde to back-to-back state championships in 2006 and 2007 ... team advanced to the semifinals of region tournament in 2008 ... named Palo Verde Most Valuable Player in 2006 and 2007 ... named team's best defender in 2007 ... named all-state and all-region in 2007, while taking all-region honors in 2006 ... scored five goals and tallied six assists as a sophomore in 2006 ... notched eight goals and five assists in 2007 as a junior ... also a standout in track and field, cross country and basketball.

Club: Has earned four (2003, 2005, 2006, 2007) Nevada state championships with Rebels Select, while finishing as runner-up in 2004 ... has been a team captain for the past six years ... won high school club regionals in 2006 ... also won a high school club regional and national title with the Honolulu Bulls in 2005.

Other: Played for Nevada State ODP team from 2002-2007 ... has taken part in two ODP inter-regional camps ... member of the ODP Region IV team for 2007-08.

Chelsea Forbes
Height: 5-5
Position: Forward
Hometown: Bountiful, Utah
High School: Bountiful High School
Club Team/Coach: Black Diamond SC/Richie Breza

Coach Manning Says: "Chelsea has soft feet and great touch. She can hold and handle the ball under pressure and sees the field very well. She will be fun to watch."

High School: Two-time first-team all-state performer for Bountiful High School ... scored 10 goals and tallied 24 assists during her high school career ... helped lead Bountiful to a state championship in 2006 ... also a standout basketball player.

Club: Played for Black Diamond Soccer Club.

Other: Four-year member of the Utah ODP team.

Shaylyn Kennedy
Height: 5-10
Position: Goalkeeper
Hometown: Murray, Utah
High School: Murray High School
Club Team/Coach: Impact SC/Chris Madsen

Coach Manning Says: "Shay is a powerful athlete. Her jumping, diving and kicking from the goal are all expressed with explosiveness. It's going to be fun to see her game take shape as she gains more experience." High School: Three-time team MVP for Murray High School ... earned second-team all-state and honorable mention all-state honors during her high school career ... twice chosen as top goalkeeper in Region VI ... two-time team captain ... second-team all-state selection and team captain in basketball.

Club: Played on Utah Impact team that took Turkeyshoot championship in 2007 and was a finalist in 2006 ... club team was also region champions in 2005-06.

Katie Martinez
Height: 5-6
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Littleton, Colo.
High School: Chatfield High School
Club Team/Coach: Colorado Rush/Erik Bushey

Coach Manning Says: "Katie is the kind of all-around player who will contribute in many ways. She can defend very well in the big spaces of midfield, constantly getting her feet on the ball and disrupting the opponents' attack. She heads the ball well and is also a good passer."

High School: Helped lead Chatfield High School to three straight state tournament appearances ... named second-team all-conference as a senior ... was on the Chatfield honor roll in each of her first three years of high school.

Club: Won five State Cup Championships (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007) in six years with the Colorado Rush and was the runner-up in 2006 ... won the 2007 Disney Showcase.

Other: Member of the ODP state team in 2004 and 2005.

Mallory Mitamura
Height: 5-7
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Centerville, Utah
High School: Viewmont High School
Club Team/Coach: Utah Rush/Ashley Wood Milliron

Coach Manning Says: "Mallory has good passing and receiving skills. She reads the game well and has a good feel for what the defense is trying to do against her."

High School: 2nd Team all-state as a senior ... led team in assists.

Club: Nomads Tournament Champions 2007

Lauren Porter
Height: 5-9
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Salt Lake City
High School: East High School
Club Team/Coach: Utah Avalanche/Jo Barney (former Ute)

Coach Manning Says: "Lauren is a powerful midfielder. She is strong, gets up in crowds for headers and covers ground well. Lauren has become a good passer and hits the long ball with great precision."

High School: Earned first-team all-state honors as a senior, second-team all-state as a junior and honorable mention all-state as a sophomore at East High School ... helped lead team to a Region VI championship in 2006 ... team reached state semifinals twice during her high school career (2005, 2007) ... led East High basketball team in scoring three times, serving as a team captain in 2007 ... four-year member of honor roll ... member of National Honor Society ... heavily involved in music department.

Club: Helped lead Utah Avalanche Premiere to State Cup titles in 2004, 2006 and 2007 ... Advanced to the Region IV quarterfinals in 2004 and 2007 ... Won the 2007 Las Vegas Showcase and the 2006 Disney College Showcase.

Other: Region IV ODP Pool, Utah ODP Team.

Anne Shallenberger
Height: 5-10
Position: Forward
Hometown: Orem, Utah
High School: Orem High School
Club Team/Coach: Celtic Storm/Jen Rawlings

Coach Manning Says: "Anne can do many things well. She is a good athlete. She is two-footed. She has good vision on the ball. She hits a great long ball. Plus, she has scored big goals for her club and high school teams." High School: Three-time first-team all-state selection for Orem High School ... helped lead team to 2007 state championship, scoring two goals in the state title game ... named team's offensive MVP ... team also earned region championships in 2005, 2006 and 2007 ... also a standout basketball player.

Club: Played for Celtic Storm Soccer Club.

Other: Utah ODP team member

Roxanne Tebbs
Height: 5-4
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Farmington, Utah
High School: Bountiful HS
Club Team/Coach: Black Diamond SC/Richie Breza

Coach Manning Says: "Roxy has an excellent overall attacking game. She can put a defense on its heels with a dribbling run, quick pass or shot. She is also tough and physical."

High School: First-team all-state selection ... named All-Area MVP.

Club: Won U.S. Club Soccer Regional Championship in Boise, Idaho in 2007 ... helped lead team to Utah State Cup Final in 2007 ... team won Utah State Cup in 2003.

Other: Region IV Olympic Development Team in 2006 and 2007 ... ODP Region Pool in 2005, 2006 and 2007 ... State ODP team member from 2004-2007.

Hannah Turpen
Height: 5-9
Position: Goalkeeper
Hometown: San Clemente, Calif.
High School: San Clemente High School
Club Team/Coach: So. Cal Blues/Larry Draluck

Coach Manning Says: "Hannah has great range in the goal. She is comfortable coming out for through-balls and crosses. She is long and covers much of the goal. She has good foot skills and is a good communicator in the back."

High School: Won back-to-back South Cast League titles ... earned 2007 CIF Victory with Honor Award ... four-time San Clemente High School Scholar-Athlete ... member of the National Honor Society ... three-time member of principal's and superintendent's honor rolls.

Club: Played for the Southern California Blues ... helped lead team to 2005 Girls Surf Cup title

Other: Member of the ODP state pool team ... member of 2006 ODP regional and national championship teams.

Kellie Woodfield
Height: 5-3
Position: Defender
Hometown: Provo, Utah
High School: Provo, Utah
Club Team/Coach: Celtic Storm/Jen Rawlings

Coach Manning Says: "Kellie has such a versatile game. She can play several positions. She can defend well and is very comfortable on the ball. She has a great soccer IQ and adapts quickly to whatever the game demands. She may be asked to play many roles on the team, but will be able to excel at all of them."

High School: Four-year starter for Provo High School ... named team's Defensive MVP in 2004 ... earned team MVP award in 2007 ... helped lead her team to state semifinal in 2004 ... Two-time all-region selection ... honorable mention all-state in 2007 ... academic all-region and all-state in 2007 ... four-year varsity basketball player, who was a member of the Utah Class 4A State Championship team in 2007.

Club: Helped lead her team to runner-up finishes at 2006 and 2007 Utah State Cup ... played on Far West Region quarterfinal team in 2007.

Other: Member of the Utah State ODP team in 2006 and 2007.

-UU-