Troy University Athletics
Trojan Soccer Signs Nine for 2007
2/8/2007 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Signing were Goal keepers Hannah McLeaish (Niceville, Fla.) and Karla Smith (Birmingham, Ala.).
The Trojans also inked defenders Mimi Thammavongsa (Eagan, Minn.), Marcie Boyd (Plano, Texas), and Carley Zurfluh (St. Louis, Mo.) along with midfielders Ceil Martinec (Ft. Worth, Texas), Elena Gaudin (Huntsville, Ala.) and Sydney Beasley (Lawrenceburg, Ky.).
Forward Lindsey Bardole (Round Rock, Texas) also submitted her letter of intent.
The 2007 recruiting class is a strong group filled with talent, leadership, and a competitive mentality. I wouldn't be surprised to see as many as six of these girls starting as freshmen if they come in prepared in terms of their physical fitness and their willingness to compete to win a spot in training,? Head Coach Diana Niland said.
This class is a key class in our transition to consistently compete for a Sun Belt Conference title and an NCAA tournament bid. They will finish laying our foundation and begin the process of making a jump to a higher level than Troy University soccer has experienced before.?
The Trojans will also add a transfer from Marshall University, midfielder Kate Heilich.
Signee Profiles
Lindsey Bardole - Forward - Round Rock, Texas
Bardole plays on the club side for '89 Lonestar Premier Red. She was second team All-District for her high school soccer team and offensive MVP following her junior season at McNeil High School. She is the daughter of Scott and Patty Bardole. Bardole chose Troy over Lander University and Wofford.
Lindsey brings in a level of aggressiveness and toughness that we know will make her a very competitive player. Her strong mentality and athleticism are her strengths. She will raise the level on the field and in training because she doesn't take time off - she always plays hard. It doesn't matter if you are an opponent or a teammate, she wants to win and she will kick you if you get in her way,? Niland said.
Sydney Beasley - Midfielder - Lawrenceburg, Kentucky
Beasley plays club soccer for Lexington Premier. She was named MVP along with being named to multiple All-Tournament teams and second team All-State at Anderson County High School where she is the team captain. Beasley was a Wendy's High School Heisman nominee and was ranked in the top ten for scoring for the 2006 season. She is the daughter of Jeff and Glenda Beasley and chose Troy University over Western Kentucky, Lindsey Wilson, Tampa University and Centre College.
Sydney is an exciting player with a tremendous attitude that we are really looking forward to working with. She has good speed and athleticism and she is continuing to develop technically and tactically. We feel that, once she is in an environment where she has to compete hard every day to earn a spot, she is going to thrive. Syd really buys in to the idea of having to work hard and compete to earn opportunities,? Niland said.
Marcie Boyd - Defender - Plano, Texas
Boyd is a member of club team FC Dallas '89, playing for Coach Chris Ring. Her squad was named Riverwalk National Champions and Plano Labor Day Champions in 2005. Boyd played for Plano Senior High School where she was the team captain. She is the daughter of Bruce and Lori Boyd. Boyd chose Troy University over Trinity University, University of Tulsa and Centenary.
Marcie is a composed central defender who is a steady influence in the back. She is comfortable playing to feet or serving balls over a distance, and she possesses good size and strength. Her physical, technical, and tactical abilities make her a very complete player. She can also be a target we can bring forward on set plays because she has good size and is good in the air,? Niland said.
Elena Gaudin - Midfielder - Huntsville, Alabama
Gaudin performs on the club side for Lady Kicks Red while also playing for Vigil Grissom High School. She received the Golden Boot Award as the top scorer while at Grissom and was also named the best offensive midfielder as a freshman. She was a member of the 2006 Class 6A State Champions while at Grissom. She was a member of the Alabama ODP Select team from 2004-2006. Gaudin is the daughter of Kirby Gaudin and Kim Minkinow. She chose Troy University over the University of Alabama at Huntsville and Sewanee.
Elena is a player who we are very excited about because she can play anywhere in midfield and she has the quickness and athleticism as well as the technical ability and composure to be a competitive player on this level. We feel like she will start off ready to help us right away, but we also think her potential to grow as a player is high,? Niland said.
Ceil Martinec - Midfielder - Fort Worth, Texas
Martinec is a member of Dallas Sting Royal on the club side. She also played for Lake Country Christian School where she was named to the All-State team in Boys soccer. She was the only female to be named All-State. Martinec was also the team captain her sophomore, junior and senior seasons. Her club team is the 2006-2007 Texas Cup Champions. Martinec also ran track and cross-country at Lake Country Christian School where she was named a finalist for the Texas Christian Athlete of the Year for 2006-2007. She is the daughter of Gary and Dinah Martinec. Martinec chose Troy University over Colorado College, TCU and St. Mary's College.
Ceil is a player who will make an instant impact on our program. She is the classic playmaking midfielder who will be able to create buildups in our attack that will make us more sophisticated and dangerous than we've ever been before. She also works to defend tirelessly, so she will have a major influence every minute she is on the field,? Niland said.
Hannah McLeaish - Goal Keeper - Niceville, Florida
McLeaish is a member of the Northwest Florida Force Soccer Club that was Orange Classic Champion in 2007. She was awarded the Niceville High School Best Eagle Defense Award for 2006 and was also named second team All-County. McLeaish is the daughter of Cris and Mary Katherine McLeaish. She chose to attend Troy University over William Carey College, the University of North Florida and the University of Southern Mississippi.
Hannah is a player who will be fighting for a starting job in goal immediately. She has a commanding presence in goal and is ahead of her age in that she isn't afraid to organize her defense in a clear and vocal way. She has a lot of talent and I have seen her show consistent high quality play and decision making over the last two years since we first watched her,? Niland said.
Mimi Thammavongsa - Defender - Eagan, Minnesota
Thammavongsa plays for the St. Paul Blackhawks club team and the Academy of Holy Angels High School. She helped lead her high school squad to a state championship in 2003 and was voted team captain in 2006. She was named honorable mention All-Conference in 2006 and helped her club team win state championships in 2005 and 2006. Thammavongsa is the daughter of Boon and Maly Thammavongsa and chose Troy University over the University of Minnesota, Concordia University and the University of St. Thomas.
Mimi is a versatile player who can help us in a few spots, although we think she will start off competing for a spot as an outside back. She has strong technical ability and a lot of experience under pressure, having played for both a high school and a club state championship team,? Niland said.
Karla Smith - Goal Keeper - Birmingham, Alabama
Smith plays on the club side for the Mountain Brook Angels (now Birmingham United Soccer Club). She was named a Hibbetts Sports Super Star in 2003 and went to the state finals in 2005 while playing for her high school, Glen Iris High School. Smith is the daughter of Eddie and Diana Smith and was she chose to attend Troy University over the UAB, the University of Mobile, Mississippi Valley State and Alabama A&M.
Karla is an exceptional athlete with a never-ending work rate. Her foot quickness and agility are her greatest strengths. We feel like Karla has a strong base but we are most excited about her potential to develop into a top goalkeeper on this level because she has so many special physical abilities,? Niland said.
Carley Zurfluh - Defender - St. Louis, Missouri
Zurfluh plays club soccer for J.B. Marine, while also playing for Nerinx Hall High School. She has been a starter all four years at Nerinx Hall and was named second team All-Conference in 2006. She is the daughter of Charles and Katie Zurfluh and she chose to attend Troy University over Bellarmine University and Depaul University.
Carley will be competing with other newcomers for a spot in the back. She has played for historical powerhouses in St. Louis on the club and high school level, so her experience is tremendous. Carley has a good understanding of the demands of her position and she has the skills and physical ability to be a strong defender for us from the start,? Niland said.
For more information contact Taylor Bryan, Troy Media Relations at Bryant@troy.edu or 205-862-8418.
