Missouri S&T women’s soccer coach Jon Kiester has announced that six players have signed national letters of intent to play soccer for the Lady Miners in the 2008 season.
This year’s recruiting class includes two players each from the states of Missouri and Illinois, as well as players from Texas and Kansas. The signees are as follows:
SABRINA DRENNAN, a 5-9 defender-midfielder from Incarnate Word Academy in St. Louis, Mo.: Drennan played on a high school team last season that finished as the Missouri Class 3 runner-up, as she recorded three goals and five assists for 11 points. Two of her goals in the 2007 spring season were game-winning tallies. An honorable mention selection in the MWAA White Conference, Drennen has also played club soccer with the Missouri Premier team for coach Sterling Wescott. She plans to major in business at Missouri S&T.
SHELLY EKHOLM, 5-6 midfielder from Cy Springs High School in Houston, Texas: Ekholm is a four-year letterwinner who earned first-team all-district honors in each of the last three seasons. She was selected as her team’s offensive most valuable player in 2006 and as her team’s “Rookie of the Year” following her freshman year. In addition, she led her club team, the Westside Quest Stars in assists and finished as the team’s second-leading scorer. She has been involved in numerous groups at her school, including the National Honor Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Ekholm plans to major in architectural engineering.
HEATHER FERSTL, a 5-7 midfielder from Burlington Central High School in Elgin, Ill.: Ferstl was a three-time all-conference performer at the high school level and has led her team to two conference titles. She had five goals and four assists during the 2007 season for 14 points after scoring four times with four assists in 2006. Her high school team has gone 18-0-2 in conference play over the last two seasons. Ferstl has played club soccer for the KUFC Tempest squad in the Midwest Regional League. Ferstl plans to major in civil engineering.
PAIGE SMOTHERS, a 5-3 defender-midfielder from Marion High School in Marion, Ill.: Smothers is a two-time all-league selection in the South Seven Conference as as defender and has been one of the team’s top offensive players from that position. She earned honorable mention all-section honors as well during her prep career. Smothers has played on the SMSC Sweepers club team for coach Justin McMullen and has also been a part of the Metro United team in the Super Y league. A member of the school’s branch of the National Honor Society and Math Honor Society, Smothers plans to major in either civil or mechanical engineering at Missouri S&T.
LEAH WILLIAMS, a 5-6 forward from Free State High School in Lawrence, Kan.: Williams has been named to the Kansas Class 6A all-state team in each of the last two seasons, while also earning two all-region awards and three all-conference awards in the Sunflower League. Williams has also played club soccer with the Topeka Select Galaxy. She is ranked first in her academic class and has been a member of the school’s branch of the National Honor Society as well as the principal’s honor roll. Williams plans to major in engineering at Missouri S&T.
MELISSA YOUNG, a 5-9 midfielder from Helias High School in Jefferson City, Mo.: Young was an honorable mention all-state selection following the 2007 season in Missouri Class 2 while also earning all-region and all-district honors. Young, who led her team in scoring last season, has been a part of the Missouri Olympic Development program and has played club soccer with the Carrera Soccer Club for coach Paul Pitchford. She is ranked in the top 10 percent of her academic class and plans to major in engineering at Missouri S&T.
