Feb. 13, 2008

WCU Women's Soccer Head Coach Tammy DeCesare today announced the signing of 11 new student-athletes to National Letters of Intent for the 2008 Season.

Seven of the 11 new players came from outside North Carolina, to compliment the four in-state products for the Lady Cats. The out-of-state commitments come to Cullowhee from Texas, New Jersey, Kentucky, Georgia, Ohio, Florida, and South Carolina.

Coach DeCesare said about the newest Lady Catamounts, "I'm very excited about our 2008 class. As a group they add a high degree of talent and versatility to our team. There are several dynamic players who will look to make an immediate impact on our program. This class also adds a tremendous amount of depth to our current squad, allowing us to reach a higher level as a program."

The WCU Women's Soccer team finished 2007 with a 9-8-3 overall record, and fell on penalty kicks in the first round of the Southern Conference Tournament. Their 2008 schedule is highlighted by a trip to the Yale University Tournament, as well as matchups with SEC foes Tennessee and South Carolina, to compliment the always-tough Southern Conference slate.

2008 Western Carolina Women's Soccer Signing Class Bios:

Ashley Huhn
5-5, Midfielder/Forward
Aledo, Texas (Aledo High School/Sting West)

Prior to Western: 4-year letter-winner who helped lead Aledo HS to a pair of Bi-District Championships her sophomore and junior seasons...Was named District Newcomer of the Year as a freshman, as well as being a 1st Team All-District honoree every season of her prep career...As a sophomore, finished the year 2nd in the district in total points with 58 points (19 goals and 20 assists)...As of the halfway mark of her senior year, stood in 2nd place in school history for career goals with 56, to go along with her 45 assists...As a junior, helped lead Aledo to a 19-1-1 record and a District 7-4A Championship.
Personal: Daughter of Bill and Sara Huhn...Has a brother, Jeff, who played soccer at the University of Texas-Tyler.

Prior to Western: Took home a number of honors after freshman season, including being named the Big 8 South Conference Offensive MVP, All-Big 8 South Conference, Raleigh News & Observer Preps Points and Assists Leader, and Academic All-Conference...On the year, she scored 31 goals and had 26 assists for a total of 88 points...As a sophomore, scored 10 goals to go along with 14 assists for West Johnston HS, leading the team in both categories...Was named a McDonald's Player of the Week during the season...Played for Triangle Football Club from 2006-08, leading the team to the NCYSA State Cup Championship in 2006...In 2007, Triangle FC was State Cup Finalist and Super Y Southeastern Champions...A member of the US Olympic Development Program, helping lead her team to the North Carolina Sub-Regional Tournament from 2003-07.
Personal: Daughter of James and Jeffra Patton... Has a brother, Jordan.

Kayla Beauday
5-3, Midfielder/Defender
Jackson, N.J. (Jackson Memorial High School/New Jersey Wildcats)

Prior to Western: Three-time letter-winner at Jackson Memorial High School, leading the team to a Shore Conference Tournament Championship and a Runner-up finish in the State Sectional in her senior year...Was named Team MVP as a sophomore, also garnering Honorable Mention All-County honors...Following junior campaign, won Best Defender and Coach's Award for the team, as well as being named 2nd Team All-County...Picked up the second Team MVP award of her prep career after her senior season, after she helped Jackson Memorial register 12 shut-outs on the year...Also named 1st Team All-County, 1st Team All-Area, 1st Team All-A-South Division, Digital Sports 2nd Team, and 2nd Team All-Shore Conference...Member of the New Jersey Wildcats club team...Helped lead the Wildcats to a pair of U.S. Club Soccer Region B Championships in 2006 and 2007, and an appearance in the New Jersey State Cup Semi-Finals in 2007...Also a member of the varsity girls' basketball team all four years of her prep career, winning the team Hustle Award as a freshman.
Personal: Daughter of Michael and Alice Beauduy... Has two older brothers, Mick, and Kyle.

Samantha Hodge
5-6, Midfielder
Louisville, Ky. (Mercy Academy/Javanon 90 Girls)
Prior to Western: Four-year member of the varsity squad at Mercy Academy...Three-time 2nd Team All-State selection, only missing the honor after her sophomore year, where she played in four games due to an injury...As a freshman, set school records in goals (38) and assists (10), a record she would break and set twice more in her career...Established a new school record for assists with 16 as a junior, following that with a new mark of 22 in her senior season...Finished her prep career with 107 goals and 54 assists, both of which are Mercy Academy records...Was named the 2006 Kentucky EuroSport Player of the Year...Led her club team to Kentucky State Championships from 1999-2004 and 2006.
Personal: Daughter of Jay and Stephanie Hodge...Has an two sisters, Jordan and Julia...Her father ran cross country and track for Eastern Kentucky University.

Taylor Lee
5-5, Midfielder/Defender
Henry County, Ga. (Eagle's Landing High School/Condcorde Fire Elite)

Prior to Western: Four-time letter-winner, helping lead her high school team to its first-ever appearance in the state tournament final eight, her junior year...As a freshman, was named 1st Team All-Region after scoring 18 goals and registering 12 assists...Also won the team's Coach's Award...Won Team MVP honors in both her junior and senior years...Garnered 1st-Team All-Region honors in all three seasons as a prep...Coming into her senior year, had 57 career goals, and 47 career assists...Was a member of the Georgia Olympic Development Program State Team from 2002-07... Helped lead her club team to the Region 3 Premier League Championship in 2007.
Personal: Daughter of Brooks and Barbara Lee... Has two younger siblings, Sara Jessica and Peyton...Her father played baseball at the University of Alabama.

Emily Lynn
5-4, Forward/Midfielder
North Royalton, Ohio (North Royalton High School/Ohio Premier)

Prior to Western: Four-year letter-winner and four-time All-Conference performer who led her team to a pair of Northeast Ohio Conference and three District Championships...As a freshman, was an Honorable Mention All-Conference Team member...Had 18 assists as a sophomore, good for tops in the conference, and named 2nd Team All-Conference...Led the team with 12 goals in her junior season, to go along with 14 assists and a 1st Team All-Conference selection, team made appearance in the Ohio State Tournament Semi-Finals...In her senior campaign, led the team with 16 assists, and had 10 goals on the year...Picked up her fourth All-Conference selection, and her second as a 1st Team member...Played her club soccer for Ohio Premier...Won three State Cup Championships (2003, 2005, 2006), and finished in the top four in the state every year from 2003-07...Also holds the school record in the 100-Meter Dash...Track Team Captain in 2007 and 2008, winning Team MVP honors in 2007.
Personal: Daughter of Michael and Michelle Lynn...Has one sister, Sarah...Her father played baseball at Kent State University.