Sam Houston soccer welcomes 10 in 2016 class
2/3/2016 12:25:00 PM | Soccer
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Fresh off the program's second Southland Conference Tournament championship game in program history, Sam Houston State soccer has announced it welcomes 10 high school players that will join the program in 2016.
“I am very excited about this signing class,” ninth-year head coach Tom Brown said. “Matt Armstrong and Sarah Lowdon have helped put together what we think will be a quality class to add to our returning players from last year's team that made it to the Southland Conference championship game.”
The Bearkats welcome six forwards, including Lexi Bullard and Josee Jacobellis who could see action defensively as well as Taylor Pritchard at the midfield position. Sam Houston brings in defenders Bailee Shanks and Acacia Shepardson as well as goalkeeper Anna Kaiser and midfielder Hayden Oswalt.
“We have brought in a lot of attacking personalities that we think can create a more diversified attack,” Brown said. “Players like Taylor Pritchard and Kaylee Davis have scored a lot of goals in their prep career. Hayden Oswalt will help fill the void in the midfield left by the graduation of Shelby McDaniel and Mariah Titus.”
One-quarter of the Kats (7/28) returning players hail from outside the state of Texas and the incoming class reflects those numbers with Jacobellis coming in from Arizona, Kaiser hailing from Minnesota and Oswalt from Mississippi.
“I have reached out beyond our normal recruiting areas to Arizona, Minnesota and Mississippi to attract three players who can help make us successful,” Brown said. “San Antonio will provide three quality players to our team. Bailee, Katy and Taylor have some great experiences to help strengthen our team.”
Lexi Bullard College Station, TX Forward/Defender
Kaylee Davis Allen, TX Forward
Hannah Dupin Missouri City, TX Forward
Katy Johnson San Antonio, TX Forward
Josee Jacobellis Fountain Hills, AZ Forward/Defender
Anna Kaiser Oakdale, MN Goalkeeper
Hayden Oswalt Terry, MS Midfielder
Taylor Pritchard Helotes, TX Forward/Midfielder
Bailee Shanks San Antonio, TX Defender
Acacia Shepardson Round Rock, TX Defender
LEXI BULLARD
Forward/Defender – College Station, TX
Four-year varsity member on head coach Stoney Pryor's College Station team … three-time undefeated district champion including regional finalist in 2014 and state semi-finalist in 2015 … named academic all-district and team player of the year … served as 2016 team captain … played club soccer for Challenge 98 under Coach Pat O'Toole, helping team to second place in State Cup during 2014 … attended Regional III Olympic Development Program representing South Texas … daughter of Jason and Tiffany Bullard.
“I decided to come to Sam Houston State because of the opportunity to get a great education while playing for a winning soccer program. I loved the atmosphere at SHSU, especially through the hard work on the soccer field. I was looking for a family environment who focused on their education off the field and winning on the field, and that's definitely what I saw from the soccer team. I'm excited to be a Bearkat!”
“Lexi is a terrific athlete who can get up and down the flanks. She has great versatility being able to play up front or in the back.”
KAYLEE DAVIS
Forward – Allen, TX
Four-year varsity member of head coach Kevin Albury's Allen High School program … named 2013 Honorable Mention All-District and 2015 First-Team All-District … also earned Honorable Mention All-State and the Varsity Team Best Forward Award 2015 … Chickisaw Honor Club (2013-2016) and Allen High School Citizenship Award 2015 honoree … played club soccer in 2015 for D'Feeters ECNL 98 under coach Hugh Bradford … played club in 2013-14 for FC Dallas ECNL 98 under Matt Grubb, helping squad to eighth-place ECNL Nationals …Solar Elite 98/ECNL 96 member in 2012 under coach Chris Pulpaneck, helping squad to State Cup Champions and Regional 3 Semi-Finalist … 2011 Liverpool Elite 98 with coach Chris Pulpaneck, helping squad to State Cup Championship title and Region 3 Finalist … daughter of Scott and Tiffany Davis.
“I chose Sam Houston State because of the great team chemistry that comes from both the players and coaches and the welcoming and at home feeling I felt while visiting Huntsville. I am so excited and can't wait to finally be a Bearkat!”
“Kaylee has a great record of scoring goals. I am looking forward to adding her to our attack. She has the speed to run in behind defenses but also the skill to break down defenders and create her own space.”
HANNAH DUPIN
Forward – Missouri City, TX
Played at Ridge Point High School under head coach Evelyn Torres … First Team All-District and Academic All-District 2013, 2014, and 2015 … District Midfielder of the Year in 2014 … All-Region in 2014 and All-State in 2015 … Team MVP 2014 and 2015 … Regional Quarterfinalist every year and one year Regional Finalist … played for Albion Hurricane 98 ECNL Team under coach Danny Hill … All Greater Houston 2013, 2014 and 2015 … Pre-Season All Greater Houston 2016 … Vype Magazine Pre-Season All Greater Houston Player of the Year 2014 … daughter of Dennis and Randee Sue Dupin … sister Nicole Dupin players soccer at Nicholls.
“I chose to play soccer at Sam Houston because of their style of play and they have a talented soccer team with much success. The location and size of Sam Houston is also a perfect fit for me.”
“Hannah is a fantastic athlete who is great at serving crosses and scoring goals. She has been an impact player with every team that she has been on. She will play either as a wide forward or wide defender in our team.”
JOSEE JACOBELLIS
Forward/Defender – Fountain Hills, AZ
Four-year letterwinner at Scottsdale Preparatory Academy under coach Ivan Dizdar … three-year letter winner in track and field and one year in cross country … led soccer team to four Arizona State HS playoff appearances … helped track and cross country teams to Arizona HS State Championships … Multi-sport All-State awards, HS Soccer MVP freshman and junior year … All-time Arizona DIV 4 record time in 4x800 … played club soccer for Sereno White ECNL 98 under Coach Kai Edwards … two-time state champion and Region 4 finalist … Arizona 2014 Regional ODP … US Soccer ID2 camp participant … daughter of James and Mary Jacobellis.
“I chose SHSU because it offered the perfect combination of strong athletics and academics. Also the friendly team and coaches made me feel right at home.”
“Josee is another very versatile player who can play in attack or defense for the team. I am excited about her ability to cover ground on the flank very quickly. She is a technical player who will cause a lot of problems for other teams.”
KATY JOHNSON
Forward – San Antonio, TX
Played four years under head coach Frankie Whitlock at Ronald Reagan High School … four district championships, two time regional champions, two time state semi-finalists … all district 2014 and 2015 … top ten in points scored in District 26-6A … 2013 and 2014 – 400 meter regional qualifier for varsity track … National strength and conditioning association elite squat – 255 lbs … Underclassman Honor Society and National Honor Society played club soccer for Lonestar 99 SCL under coach Nick Hallam; 2014-2015 Presidents cup champions, regional finalists ; Team Captain 2012-2014 … Lonestar 98 ECNL with coaches Darren Warham and Wes Schevers making 2014-2015 North American League Playoffs … Olympic Development Program participant including ODP region III camp- 2012,2013,2014,2015; OPD region III honorable mention- 2013, 2014; ODP region III team 2015 and ODP Thanksgiving Interregional roster (Boca Raton) 2015 … TDS Dallas 2014 Combine Best XI … TDS 3 Star Ranked Player … invited to be part of the Region 3 Olympic Development Team that will tour and compete in Argentina in April … daughter of Cindy and Lenny Johnson.
“I chose Sam Houston State because it gives me a family and home feel. The team and coaches are the right fit for me. They show kindness and respect while also having a winning culture and a never out of the fight attitude.”
“Katy is a left-sided player who will add to our attack. She is very good at crossing the ball and also taking on players to finish her own opportunities. She has tremendous speed in order to get in behind the defense.”
ANNA KAISER
Goalkeeper – Oakdale, MN
Three-year member of White Bear Lake Area High School program under coach Dave Ashley … Team MVP and Honorable Mention All-Conference … Individual Academic Excellence Award … played club soccer with Minnesota Thunder Academy 98 ECNL for Coach Dave Alberti … squad finished 4th in the North American League at U16 … North American League Champions at U17 … daughter of Charles and Lynn Kaiser.
“I chose to come to Sam Houston State University because the moment I stepped on campus I felt like I was at home...home without the cold. I felt truly comfortable and happy.”
“I really liked Anna's mentality in the goal. She is very committed to every save whether it is in training or a game. She is quite good in the air which is a real strength for women's soccer goalkeepers.”
HAYDEN OSWALT
Midfielder – Terry, MS
Four-year letterwinner under coach Thomas Bobo at Clinton High School … three-time district champions, 2 times advanced to second round of playoffs … three-time all-district, 2nd Team all-state as a sophomore, 1st Team all-state as a junior … three-time Team MVP, two-time Golden Boot Winner, Best Midfielder and Team Captain … All-State Academic Team … played club soccer for MS Brilla Juniors '98 and coach Mark Walker … helped squad to State Cup Champions in 2014 and 2015 … MS Brilla Junior Player of the Month … Max Preps Best of Mississippi in 2015 and two-time Clarion Ledger Player of the Week … daughter of Edward and Christi Oswalt.
"I felt like Sam Houston's style of play was the best fit for me. I also felt that Coach Brown would be a great asset in continuing to develop my soccer skills, and helping me further my soccer career."
“Hayden will be a very exciting player here at Sam Houston. She is a very skillful player and is very gifted at assisting her teammate's goals. She is so deceptive with the ball and easily eludes defenders.”
TAYLOR PRITCHARD
Forward/Midfielder – Helotes, TX
Played at Brandeis High School under coach Heather Boss … as a freshman earned second team all-district, district champions, reached second round of playoffs … selected for National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists Award of Excellence in Washington D.C. … selected for George Mason's National Youth Leadership Forum: Careers in Medicine … selected for the President Dwight D Eisenhower, International Student Ambassador Program … selected for the Gifted and Talented Program – Independent Study for Physical Therapy … played club soccer for Classics Elite Premier with coaches Brian Monaghan and Coach Nick Evans … four-time leading scorer, two-time state champions … Texas Rush U15, U16 and U17 ECNL discovery player … 2012 ODP – South Texas State Team and Region 3 Pool Player … 2013 – Attended USYS National Team Training Camp … #58 Regionally Ranked Soccer Player and 2016 Girls IMG Academy 150 player Pool – Top Drawer Soccer … daughter of Julie and Parker Pritchard.
“From the moment I stepped on campus I loved the atmosphere. After meeting Coach Brown and the soccer team I couldn't wait to be a Bearkat!! Attending SHSU gives me the opportunity to get a great education while playing the sport I love!”
“Taylor is a very good finisher of the ball and does a great job of setting up her teammates. She has the ability to see the game at a different level and can break down defenses to create scoring chances. I am excited to see what she will do in her four year career at Sam Houston.”
BAILEE SHANKS
Defender – San Antonio, TX
Four-year varsity member at Claudia Taylor Johnson High School under head coach Kara Stracener … as a freshman, helped squad to 2013 District Champions, Regional Champions and State semi-finals … during sophomore campaign was named second-team All-District … 2015 junior captain, first-team All-District and Academic All-District … as a senior named 2016 Captain and to I-10 Shootout All-Tournament Team … played for Classics Elite 98 Premier under Brian Monaghan … 2013 State Finalist … 2014 State Champions and Regionals … 2015 Premier League Champions … 2015 Regional Quarterfinalist … daughter of Christa Franklin and Clint Shanks.
"I chose Sam Houston State University because of the strong Political Science Program and the opportunity to play with a highly competitive Division 1 soccer team"
“Bailee is a strong defender who we feel can settle in as a central defender for us. She is good at challenging for air balls and is tough in the tackle.”
ACACIA SHEPARDSON
Defender – Round Rock, TX
Three-year varsity player at Round Rock High School under coach Jonathan Spradley … undefeated district champions and regional semi-finalist in 2014 … three-time academic all-district, all-district honorable mention in 2014 … played club soccer for Lonestar SC 98 Premiere and Lonestar SC ECNL with coaches Mark Carr and Peter McMann … Western District Champions 2014 and State Champions in 2015 … daughter of Ken and Christine Shepardson.
“I chose Sam Houston State because it has all of the qualities I am looking for in a college. The campus is the right size and fit for me. It has a very highly rated program in Criminal Justice which will be my academic focus, and I get to play competitive D1 soccer within a family like environment.”
“She is a defender that we felt was very strong in her individual defending and can help us shut down opponents. I like her combativeness and willingness to get stuck in with attackers.”
