head women’s soccer coach Julie Woodward has announced the members of the group of newcomers who have committed to and plan to join the women’s soccer program beginning in August 2009.
Britney Carlson (, ) is a 5’7” defender who was team captain for the varsity squad. Setting a school record for most victories in a season, her team finished third in the state, and she earned first team All-League and All-State accolades. A member of the National Honor Society, Carlson is captain of Club Dosveedanya, which competes in the top club division in the state.
Woodward on Carlson: “Britney is a tough defender who was big time for her high school team throughout the state championships. We have always been impressed with her ability to shut down the opponent’s best attackers. She is a natural leader with great athletic potential and we know she will be a positive addition to our team.”
Madelyn “Maddy” Cartwright comes to from , , where she started all four years at . The 5’6” wing player helped the team win the state 3A championship in 2007 and was voted state MVP. The president of her church youth group, Cartwright was elected team captain of her club team, Utah Nike Rush, for the 2008-09 season.
Woodward on Cartwright: “Maddy is a pure Division I athlete with all of the potential to be a great player in college. She has the size, strength, pace, and attitude to attack that we love. If Maddy continue to work hard and improve at the same rate she has over the past year, she is going to have a great career at SU.”
Ashley Fritts (, ) is a 5’7” center-midfielder who has been a four-year starter for the varsity team ay . With 13 goals and 18 assists during her high school career, she helped the team reach the regional playoffs in three straight years, including an appearance in the state tournament in 2008. Fritts also plays for the Spokane Shadow G90 team, helping the squad reach the semifinals of the Washington State Cup.
Woodward on Fritts: “Ashley is full of potential. We are so excited about her height, technical skill, ability to combine with teammates, and ability to see ahead. She is a versatile player, able to contribute as a target forward, midfielder, or center-back. Ashley is also a dedicated student who has shown that she has the work ethic and attitude to be successful on and off the field.”
Chelsea Jennings (, ) was been the leading goal scorer for in both 2007 and 2008. The 5’5” midfielder/forward was the captain of the team this past season and helped it reach the state playoffs every year, earning first team All-League honors the past three years. The sister of Jordan Jennings, the SeattleU men’s soccer goalkeeper over the past three seasons, she has played for Washington Premier FC since 2004, winning numerous tournaments across the country.
Woodward on : “ comes from a great club environment, where she has learned how to compete at a high level. She has a lot of valuable experience and will be able to play multiple positions for us. We are looking to competing to get on the field right away. is going to benefit a lot from working with our strength and conditioning staff, and I think she can help us at the next level.”
Taylor Simpson (, ) started every game as the goalkeeper during her four years on the varsity squad at , setting the school record for career save percentage (.918). A first team All-Division selection in her junior year, the 5’8” player is set to graduate with high honors and has earned Scholar-Athlete recognition from her school. She is a two-time Nevada ODP pool player and works with youth as a goalkeeper trainer.
Woodward on Simpson: “ gives us some much-needed depth at goalkeeper. She is a brave goalkeeper who isn’t afraid to challenge in the air, which is so important at this level. With the additions of Taylor and Liz Homer, we are so excited to finally have some competition for the goalkeeper position at SU.”
Kendall Stanley (, ) was a four-year starter and letterwinner for the varsity squad at . A two-time first team All-Wesco honoree, she was captain of the team during her senior year after recovering from an injury in her junior season and also earned the Scholar-Athlete Award. During her high school days, she also participated in track & field and crew and was named homecoming queen during her senior year.
Woodward on : “Over the past year, as we have watched work to get back to 100 percent, we have been very impressed with her work ethic and dedication to improve. I think will surprise a lot of people with her ability to read the game and contribute on the field. She is going to be a great addition to SU women’s soccer.”
The Seattle University women’s soccer team finished the 2008 season with a 12-5-3 record, including a 10-5-3 mark against Division I schools, defeating teams from the West Coast Conference, the Western Athletic Conference, the Big Sky Conference, and the Summit League. The top three scorers from this past season (Jamie Coe, Kara Kuttler, Kassandra Riozzi) will return in 2009, as well as three members of the starting defense (Kate Edstrom, Nance Hill, Jordan Salisbury) and goalkeeper Madison Goverde, who played every second of every match in net for the Redhawks in 2008.
“As a coaching staff, we are so excited to add these six young women to our soccer family. This program has been consistently successful because of the student-athletes, and our incoming class has a great opportunity to continue that success at the Division I level. Not only are we adding six talented soccer players to our team, but also six dedicated students and high character people who will make a positive difference for SU women’s soccer, both on and off the field,” said Woodward.
During the 2009 season, is tentatively scheduled to welcome , Eastern Washington, , , , and to Championship Field, while traveling to , , , , Pepperdine, UCSB and Cal Poly. As a “fast track” sport, the women’s soccer program will be eligible for NCAA postseason competition beginning in the 2010 campaign.