Feb. 9, 2007
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - UCF women's soccer head coach Amanda Cromwell announced the signing of six student-athletes for the fall of 2007 on Friday morning. The signing class includes a pair of teammates from Plantation's American Heritage High School as well as players from the Florida Panhandle and the Jacksonville area, Franklin, Tenn. and Hawaii.
"Our incoming recruiting class is very dynamic around the goal and athletic all over the field," said Cromwell. "They will mesh very well with our upperclassmen who have finished first and second during our first two years in Conference USA. We have high expectations for this rookie class."
Heather Dooley
5-3 * Forward/Midfield
Pembroke Pines, Fla./American Heritage HS
A four-year starter for head coach Melissa Parham at American Heritage High School, where she played with fellow signee Christina Petrucco...currently playing in the state final four...has scored 93 goals and added 71 assists during her career three-time all-state honoree...twice led the team in scoring...named offensive player of the year in 2004 and 2005...earned second-team all-state recognition as a freshman before being selected first-team all-state as a sophomore and junior...received all-county honors from the Miami Herald and South Florida Sun-Sentinel three consecutive seasons...AHHS squad won the state championship and was ranked No. 1 nationally by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America in 2005...also played club soccer for the Weston Fury and trained with the state Olympic Development program for three years...father played semi-professional soccer in England.
Coach Cromwell on Dooley:
"Heather has everything you want in an attacking player. She is great around the goal, has tremendous speed and has a variety of tools that will help her impact the collegiate game."
Lauren Halbert
5-9 * Forward/Midfield
Niceville, Fla./Niceville HS
A four-year letterwinner under coaches Michael Denton and Tim Brown at Niceville High School...currently playing in the state final four...three-time first-team all-area and all-county...received the Golden Boot award three times...scored 31 goals and added eight assists, receiving all-state honorable mention recognition as a freshman...tallied 36 goals and 11 assists during her sophomore season then netted 18 goals and five assists the following year...added 40 goals and nine assists thus far as a senior...team the won the district championship and advanced to the regional semifinals all four seasons...also played with the Pensacola Futbol club squad that won the 2002 Florida State Cup Championship...was a member of the Northwest Florida Force that captured the Orange Classic Championship in 2005 and 2006...a starting forward on the Florida Olympic Development Program team in 2002 and from 2004-06...invited to USYS Region III ODP camp the last three years...member of National Honor Society.
Coach Cromwell on Halbert:
"Lauren is a very technical player with good size. She has the versatility to play anywhere on the field and we look forward to finding out which position she will have the most impact for us."
Kacie Horner
5-6 * Forward
Franklin, Tenn./Franklin HS
A four-year varsity starter for head coach Jimmy Burchett at Franklin High School...two-time all-region and all-district honoree...scored 14 goals and helped the Rebels win the AAA state championship as a freshman...earned the offensive MVP award after leading the team in scoring during her sophomore campaign...captain the team and netted eight goals as a senior...named all-mid-state that same year...also played for the TNFC '89 Blue club team...won five state championships...was the state runner-up and a regional semi-finalist in 2006...captured the 2006 Premier League Champions...also ran cross country...inducted into the National Honor Society...named an International Baccalaureate Diploma candidate.
Coach Cromwell on Horner:
"Kacie is the epitome of a true goal scorer. She is a great athlete that just knows how to score goals. She is extremely tough and should compete to make a significant impact her freshman year."
Amanda Martorana
5-4 * Midfield/Forward
Middleburg, Fla./St. John's Country Day School
Played varsity soccer under head coach Mike Pickett at St. John's Country Day School since 2002...currently playing in the state final four...the program's all-time leading scorer with 148 goal and second all-time in assists with 86...owns the school records for most assists, most goals and most points in a game...named the team MVP in 2003, 2004 and 2006...squad won the 2A State Championship in 2005...also played club soccer for the Clay County United and Jacksonville Youth Soccer...trained with the Florida Olympic Development program from 2002-05...ran track for St. John's Country Day, winning the state championship in the 100m and 200m events in 2006...was also a competitive gymnast for five years.
Coach Cromwell on Martorana:
"Amanda is a forward who will get behind defenses and create many goal scoring opportunities. She has pure speed and will be a handful for many opposing defenders. Amanda's athleticism will add another element to our team."
Kimberly Morse
5-8 * Center Midfield/Forward
Honolulu, Hawaii/Iolani School
A two-year letterwinner at Iolani School under head coach Kari Morioka...also played club soccer for Honolulu Bulls...won the USYS U17 Hawaii State Championship and the Honolulu International Club title in 2005...team participated in the Far West U17 Regionals and was a finalist in the U.S. Club Soccer Region IV tournament in 2006...went to the 2006 U17 Nationals...comes from a family of athletes...brother R.J. played football at Wisconsin, while sister Lauren played soccer at Portland State...father played basketball at Nathaniel Hawthorne College.
Coach Cromwell on Morse:
"Kimi caught our eye late in the recruiting season and we are fortunate to add her to our 2007 class. She is very strong in the air, tough in the tackle, and great at switching the point or starting the attack."
Christina Petrucco
5-9 * Defense
Plantation, Fla./American Heritage HS
A five-year letterwinner for head coach Melissa Parham at American Heritage High School, where she played with fellow signee Heather Dooley...currently playing in the state final four...recorded 15 goals and 11 assists during her career...received all-county recognition from the Miami Herald and South Florida Sun-Sentinel three times... team went to the state final four in 2004 before winning the championship in 2005...AHHS squad was ranked No. 1 in the nation by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America... named most improved player as a freshman...earned the State Farm Good Neighbor Good Sport Award and the Best Midfielder Award as a junior...nominated for the Wendy's Florida High School Heisman Award...also played for the Weston Fury.
Coach Cromwell on Petrucco:
"Christina is a great athlete who will add some depth in the back. She hits a great long ball, reads the game well and her strength and speed will help her adjust nicely to the college game."
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