Women’s soccer loads up roster for 2008

Following the graduation of three seniors and the loss of four other players from last season’s team, the USU soccer team signed nine players, said head coach Heather Cairns. The 2008 signees at the forward position are Brittney Boyack from Spring Valley High School in Las Vegas, Nev., Shantel Flanary from Lone Peak High School in Highland, Utah, Marissa Sanchez from Twin Falls High School in Twin Falls, Idaho, and Danielle Shorts from Highland High School in Gilbert, Ariz. At defender, the incoming freshmen will be Megan Rhoads from Brighton High School in Sandy, Utah, Summer Tillotson from Alta High School in Sandy, Utah, and Lexi Veneble from Northridge High School in Layton, Utah. Also part of the signing class is midfielder Chandra Salmon from Provo High School, and goalkeeper Molli Merrill from Bountiful High School. “It’s a signing class that we’re really pleased with,” Cairns said. “We have commitments from players that will give depth to each position on the field. We feel like it’s really going to add to the depth of our team in general. Whenever you get deeper, it’s a great position to be in as a coach. Competition for playing time and starting position is going to be tough. That only serves to make our team better.” In addition to the already large signing class, Cairns said she is currently working with two other potential signees that would fill midfielder positions left open by the unexpected loss of midfielders Tricia Perry, Anna Miller and Lacey Christenson. Cairns also said Jessica Darrow will not be returning to next year’s team, as she got married over Spring Break. Of particular importance to the Aggies will be the absence of Christenson, who started all 21 games last season and scored two goals and tallied four assists. “Lacey Christensen will be a big loss for us medically because of her knee,” Cairns said. “Lacey and Abby left a great legacy at midfield at what the standard at USU is. We have enough players who know that standard and can replicate that and pass it on to the younger players coming in.” Cairns said she is confident in the ability of her midfielders, and is particularly excited about Salmon, the lone midfielder signee. Not only is her resume impressive-playing for four years as part of the 90’s state Olympic development team, three-year captain of the Celtic Storm and 13 goals and 16 assists in her senior season-but she has the ability to step up and be a leader like former midfielder Shannon Ross, Cairns said. “I think we have to look at Chandra Salmon,” Cairns said. “She was a member of the regional developmental program team. We do have definite high expectations of her. The other thing that makes her pretty unique is her leadership. Chandra has a similar quality about her (to Shannon Ross).” Another top prospect, Cairns said, is Flanary, who scored 87 career goals, led her team to three 5A state finals and was a member of the 89’s state Olympic development team. Flanary will join the ranks of an already strong front line of senior Candice Clark (6 goals, 4 assists), junior Erin Salmon (2 goals, 2 assists) and sophomore Lauren Hansen, who led the Aggies in scoring in 2007 with 10 goals. While there are strong forwards already in position at USU, Cairns said Flanary brings a different element to the game. “She’s a really dangerous attacker,” Cairns said. “She’s a little bit different from Clark, Hansen and Salmon. Those guys are quick, but she is flat out fast. We want to put a line that compliments each other. Shantel’s speed and ability to run down balls behind the defense adds depth to our playing.” Cairns said she is also excited about having so many forwards because it will create intense competition to vie for playing time and starting positions. “Forwards are going to have a lot of good games and they’re going to have some off games. If you can’t replace off the bench, you’ll struggle,” Cairns said. “Although Salmon, Clark and Hansen are strong, we want to keep pushing them, and the only way we can is to have players in the four or five position pushing them. That’s where adding depth and quality in those positions off the bench will be a real asset to our team.” Cairns said she signed the three defenders and goalkeeper as an early investment for the future, when goalkeepers Ali Griffin and Lisa Willardson graduate after this season, along with defenders Alyssa Lowry and Jessie Malaska. “The whole idea is, out of this class, it’s unrealistic to think that all nine will start for us,” Cairns said. “Statistically not very likely. We’re hoping we can save these guys and some of them will contribute right away, those who don’t can step in their sophomore year and really fill in the holes of our huge senior class this next year. We’re doing some preemptive recruiting.” -seth.h@aggiemail.usu.edu

Brittney Boyack F Las Vegas, Nevada (Spring Valley HS)Shantel Flanary F Highland, Utah (Lone Peak HS)Molli Merrill GK Bountiful, Utah (Bountiful HS)Megan Rhoads D Sandy, Utah (Brighton HS)Chandra Salmon M Provo, Utah (Provo HS)Marissa Sanchez F Twins Falls, Idaho (Twins Falls HS)Danielle Shorts F Gilbert, Arizona (Highland HS)Summer Tillotson D Sandy, Utah (Alta HS)Lexi Venable D Layton, Utah (Northridge HS)