COLUMBIA, Mo. Mizzou soccer Head Coach Bryan Blitz announced the addition of seven new Tigers on Friday, Feb. 6. Bethany Coons (Union, Mo.), Payton Goulding (Woodbury, Minn.), Rachel Hise (Lucas, Texas), Erin Jones (Los Angeles, Calif.), Madison "Pooh" Lewis (Zionsville, Ind.), Natalie McDonough (Dallas, Texas) and Amanda Shaw (Carmel, Ind.) all signed National Letters of Intent to attend Missouri and compete for the Mizzou soccer team in the fall. The signees will be joined by early enrollee Kelsey Dossey (Plainfield, Ind.), who will take part in the spring season, on the 2015 team.
"This class represents the blue collar work ethic we exemplify at Missouri," Blitz said. "They're not afraid to roll up their sleeves and do the dirty work that doesn't always get noticed but is the pride of all successful teams. They also all take pride in hard work in their academics and personal lives, which is why they will all be successful at Mizzou and help us to reach our goal of winning an SEC, and ultimately, a national championship."
.sbplayerbox {width: 100%; margin-top: 7em;} .sbplayer {width: 100%; background-color: #FFF; margin: 0; overflow:auto} .sbbioinfo {width: 100%; background-color: #D0D0CE; padding:1em;} .sbplayerhome {background-color:#FFFFFF; padding:10px; float:right; width:auto; text-align:right;} .sbnamebox {background-color:#C69214; padding:10px 10px 10px 140px; float:left; width:100%; font-size: 18px; background-image: url(http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/miss/graphics/mizzou-20.png); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position: 10px 10px; overflow:auto; border-top-right-radius: 40px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 40px; -webkit-border-top-right-radius: 40px; overflow:auto;} .sbhomeinfo {background-color:#333333; color:#FFF; font-weight:bold; padding:5px 10px; float:left; width:100%; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; overflow:auto} .sbplayerphoto {float:left; margin:10px 15px 15px 5px} #signingclass tr:nth-of-type(2n+0) {background: #D0D0CE;} #signingclass td {padding:2px; margin:0} @media (min-width: 1024px) { .sbplayerbox {margin-top: 12em;} #signingclass {width:80%; margin:1em 10%} }
@media (max-width: 1023px) { .sbplayerbox {margin-top: 10em;} #signingclass {width:80%; margin:1em 10%} }
@media (max-width: 767px) { .sbplayerbox {margin-top: 10em;} #signingclass {width:80%; margin:1em 10%} }
@media (max-width: 480px) { #signingclass {width:100%; margin:0.5em 0} }
@media (max-width: 320px) { #signingclass {width:100%; margin:0.5em 0} }
2015 MIZZOU SOCCER SIGNING CLASS |
||||||
| Name | Hometown | Club | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bethany Coons | Union, Mo. | Lou Fusz | ||||
| Payton Goulding | Woodbury, Minn. | Minnesota Thunder Academy | ||||
| Rachel Hise | Lucas, Texas | Dallas Sting | ||||
| Erin Jones | Los Angeles, Calif. | Santa Monica United | ||||
| Madison "Pooh" Lewis | Zionsville, Ind. | Indiana Fire Academy | ||||
| Natalie McDonough | Dallas, Texas | Dallas Sting | ||||
| Amanda Shaw | Carmel, Ind. | Indiana Fire Academy | ||||
ACCOLADES:
• 2014 NSCAA Girls High School Spring All-Central Region Team
• Holds Union High Schools career and single-season goal records
• Arizona state champion on vault, beam and in the all-around in 2014
• Placed second in the all-around and tied for second on bars at the 2013 Region 1 Level 10
Championships
• Three-time Class 2 All-State first team honoree
• Three-time Four Rivers Conference Player of the Year
• Her 55 goals as a freshman rank eighth in Missouri girls high school history
• Part of three Missouri State championships with Lou Fusz
• Helped Lou Fusz claim the 2010 Midwest Regional Premier Championship
Parents: Russell and Tina
Club Coach: Jim Wipke
High School Coach: Matt Fennessey
Why Bethany Chose Mizzou:
"I always wanted to go to Mizzou to play soccer. When I found out that Mel Donaldson was going there, it made my decision even easier. I also like the campus, especially the MATC. It seems like the team is really close, and that is exactly what I want to be a part of."
Club coach Jim Wipke on Bethany:
"Bethany is one of the most creative players that I have ever coached. She has a knack for scoring big goals and consistently comes to play in big games. It was a complete honor to be her coach, she is so awesome! I know Mizzou will be very proud of her."
Chose Mizzou over:
Iowa State, Illinois, LSU, SLU
ACCOLADES:
• Member of Ireland's 2012 UEFA European Women's Under-17 Championship squad
• Earned her first international cap in the UEFA Under-17 Championship in a 3-0 win over Belarus
• Helped Minnesota Thunder U16 to the 2013 ECNL Midwest Division League title
• Played ECNL from eighth to 12th grade
• Three-time ECNL Player Development Program selection
• Four-year member of East Ridge's golf team
Parents: Mark and JoJo
Club Coach: Dave Alberti, Stephanie Golan, Danny Storlien
High School Coach: Mark Abboud
Why Payton Chose Mizzou:
"I chose the University of Missouri because the moment I stepped on campus I felt as if I was home. From speaking to friends, I've heard nothing but great reviews about the education itself. The campus has a lot of character and made me excited to be a part of it. When I first spoke to Coach Blitz, I knew right away that we would get along. I could tell that he has the coaching style that I want and need to be able to be as successful as possible in collegiate soccer. The first time I did an overnight at Mizzou, the girls made me feel like I was already a part of the family."
Club coach Danny Storlien on Payton:
"Payton is a strong competitor, probably the most competitive and intense player I have ever coached. She organizes the team very well and does a great job with the back line. Overall, Payton is just a competitor."
Chose Mizzou over:
SLU, Wisconsin, Texas Tech, South Carolina, Western Kentucky, Iowa
ACCOLADES:
• Helped Dallas Sting to the 2014 ECNL national championship
• Also a part of Dallas Sting's third-place showing at the 2013 ECNL national championships
• On Dallas Sting's 2012 ECNL Texas Conference and Dallas International Cup title teams
• Earned all-district first team honors as a freshman and sophomore
• Also plays basketball for Lovejoy
Parents: Frank and Judy
Club Coaches: Tatu Pecorari, Randy Lucas, Kenny Medina
High School Coach: Jeff Kear
Why Rachel Chose Mizzou:
" I really enjoyed the coaches, the campus, and the players."
Club coaches Tatu Pecorari and Kenny Medina on Rachel:
" Rachel is a phenomenal player, she always works her tail off. The bigger the game, the bigger she plays. She is a feisty player and one of the best defensive players we've ever had."
Chose Mizzou over:
Oklahoma State, Texas, Northwestern, Princeton, Brown, Oklahoma, Stephen F. Austin, Kentucky
ACCOLADES:
• Named the Sunshine League Most Valuable Goalkeeper in 2013
• Claimed 2013 All-CIF Division IV first team honors
• All-Sunshine League selection
• Played at the same high school as current Tiger Jessica Johnson
Parents: Shawn and Jennifer
Club Coach: Manu Appelius
High School Coach: Manu Appelius
Why Erin Chose Mizzou:
" I chose Mizzou because the coaches and players made me feel like I was at my second home. Also, my mom's family lives a few hours away and being close to my family is very important for me."
Club coach Manu Appelius on Erin:
" Erin has played club and high school soccer for me the past five years. She is an exceptional, high level goalkeeper. She is fierce, has an edge, and is a very strong competitor. She also has great field skills; she is the best juggler in Los Angeles, even better than the boys. She has great commitment, strong character and is a natural born leader. She is very respected by her peers and is a role model. Erin is just a true goalkeeper and leader."
Chose Mizzou over:
Minnesota, Illinois
Club Team: Indiana Fire Academy
ACCOLADES:
• Earned 2013 Indiana Soccer Coaches Association All-State second team honors
• Scored eight goals and added an assist as a junior in 2013 to help Zionsville to a 14-4-2 record
• Club teammates with fellow signees Kelsey Dossey and Amanda Shaw
• Led the Mid-Alantic ECNL in scoring in 2013-14
Parents: David and Kerri
Club Coaches: Eric Nance
High School Coaches: Ramon Aquillon, Mike Latos
Why Pooh Chose Mizzou:
" I chose Mizzou because I felt at home there. I loved the campus and especially loved all the coaches and players. I could just picture myself going to Mizzou."
Club coach Eric Nance on Pooh:
" Pooh is a playmaker and a creator on the field. She is always around the ball and plays both sides of the ball. She set up goals and scores all kinds of goals, corner kicks free kicks, she does it. She's all over the place."
Chose Mizzou over:
Wisconsin, Indiana, Oregon, Miami (Ohio), Penn State
ACCOLADES:
• U.S. Soccer Under-17 Women's National Team camp participant
• 2013 TAPPS 5A All-State first team selection
• Named the district MVP as a junior and sophomore
• Part of the Bishop Lynch team that was the state runner-up in 2014
• Played club soccer with fellow signee Rachel Hise
• Helped Dallas Sting to the 2014 ECNL national title
Parents: Michael and Lynn
Club Coaches: Tatu Pecorari, Kenny Medina
High School Coaches: Darrin Hedges, Michael Moritz
Why Natalie Chose Mizzou:
" I chose Mizzou because of the awesome training facilities and the beautiful campus. Also because I wanted to go to a big football school and there aren't many better teams than the Tigers."
Club coaches Tatu Pecorari and Kenny Medina on Natalie:
" Natalie is a unique player. At center mid, she is incredibly strong on the ball. She is the strongest kid on the ball that I've ever coached. She calmly shuts down the other team. She is very creative, multi-faceted, and she can play any position."
Chose Mizzou over:
Georgia, Kentucky, Belmont
ACCOLADES:
• Named to the 2014 Indiana Soccer Coaches Association All-State first team
• Earned 2014 NSCAA All-Central Region honors
• 2014 ISCA All-District 4 first team
• Helped Carmel to the 2011 state title
• Also plays basketball for Carmel
Parents: Gordon and Elaine
Club Coach: Eric Nance
High School Coach: Frank Dixon
Why Amanda Chose Mizzou:
" I chose Mizzou because I loved the campus, coaches and soccer program. I immediately realized it was the perfect college for me."
Club coach Eric Nance on Amanda:
" Amanda is a workhorse, she is such a hard worker. She successfully plays both sides of the ball. She creates opportunities to score big goals and is also an attacker. If your team likes to press you'll love Amanda, she's a great defender on top."
Chose Mizzou over:
Miami (Fla.), Miami (Ohio), Cincinnati, Virginia Tech, Indina