Women's Soccer | 5/21/2013 10:01:00 AM
McPherson, Kan. – 12 freshman signees highlight the recruiting list for Lady Bulldog soccer. Ranging from Nevada and New Mexico to Texas and Arkansas with plenty of in-state Kansas athletes as well; Mac brought in a high level of talent to fill some much needed positions.
"Our coaching staff worked tirelessly this off season to try and find the right mix of players who can help take this program to the next level and we feel we accomplished our objective," said head coach Robert Talley. "We have eleven new freshmen joining the family for the 2013 season and each one of these ladies brings a certain quality that we have been missing in the past. We're expecting some of these ladies to step up and challenge for starting spots immediately."
The 2013 team will have 17 returners from last season's squad; it will be a young but talented group for the Bulldogs as they look to improve on their 7-9-2 record from a year ago.
Alia Khalidi (5-6, MF, Fr., Augusta, Kan. / Rose Hill HS)
A freshman from Augusta, Kansas, Alia joins the Lady Bulldog soccer program after playing four years at Rose Hill High School for Coach Mike Terrell. At Rose Hill, she played both the midfield and forward positions and had a total of 14 goals and eight assists heading into her senior season.
Alia earned All-AVCTL Honorable Mention honors following her sophomore and junior seasons. She is also a Kansas Honor Scholar.
Outside of her high school playing, Alia competes for EFC Strikers and head coach Will Scott.
Alia, the daughter of Jamil and Marcia Khalidi, is the third member of her family to come to McPherson College and anticipates majoring in biology.
Courtney Payne (5-4, D, Fr., Manhattan, Kan. / Manhattan HS)
Courtney will make her way to McPherson College following four seasons at Manhattan HS.
As a member of the Indians, she helped her team win the Centennial League in 2010, 2011 and 2012. In 2011 MHS finished fourth in the State of Kansas class 6A.
Courtney is the daughter of Leslie Payne and has yet to declare a major.
Kathryn Hicks (5-1, MF, Fr., Bedford, Texas / Trinity HS)
Kathryn (Allie) comes to McPherson College after graduating from Trinity High School in Bedford, Texas. While attending THS, she played for head coach Kurt Clawson as a defensive mid-fielder.
The Trojans were Bi-District champions for two of her years. Following her sophomore season, Allie was named her team's offensive MVP. She also plays for club team American Eagles and Coach John Hedlund.
The daughter of Sean Hicks, Allie will major in psychology at McPherson College.
Caitlyn Blagrave (5-7, GK, Fr., Rio Rancho, N.M. / Rio Rancho Cyber Academy)
A goalkeeper, Caitlyn will be joining the McPherson squad after playing for Rio Rancho Cyber Academy in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.
Caitlyn was selected to the Olympic Development Pool (ODP) of New Mexico from 2009-12 and made it to the final game in the Region IV ODP Championships.
Paula and Michael Blagrave are the parents of Caitlyn who is currently undecided for her major.
Cydney Lewis (5-4, F, Fr., Ottawa, Kan. / Ottawa HS)
A freshman from Ottawa, Kansas, Cydney makes her way to McPherson College after a successful career at Ottawa High School where she played for head coach Kelly Smith and the Cyclones.
Heading into her senior season, Cydney has played in 49 games and had 23 starts. She's scored 30 times and had four assists. In 2010, the Cyclones voted Cydney as the Offensive Player of the Future. Following the 2011 season, she was the team's Offensive Player of the Year while making the All-Area First Team and being named All-Area Girl Soccer Player of the Year.
After her junior year, Journal-World voted her to the All-Area Girls Soccer Team; she also was named to the 4A-1A All-Region team while being tabbed by her team and coaches as the offensive Player of the Year.
Cydney is the daughter of Teresa and Wendell Lewis Jr.
Kayla Faust (5-2, MF, Fr., Manhattan, Kan. / Manhattan HS)
Kayla comes to McPherson College after being a two year varsity letter winner and varsity captain as a senior at Manhattan High School.
While playing for the Indians, she helped her team win the Centennial League in 2010, 2011 and 2012. In 2011 MHS finished fourth in the State of Kansas class 6A.
Lew and Audrey Faust are the parents of Kayla who is still deciding on a major at McPherson College.
Kelsey Eby (5-8, D, Fr., Kechi, Kan. / Wichita Heights HS)
Kelsey, a freshman defender, joins the Lady Bulldogs after playing midfield and the sweeper position for the Wichita Heights High School Falcons and Coach Ryan Kelley.
The daughter of John and Teresa Eby, Kelsey plans on getting her degree in auto restoration at McPherson College.
Tiffany Fraser (5-4, D, Fr., Henderson, Nev. / College of Southern Nevada HS South)
Tiffany will be coming to McPherson College after her stint at College of Southern Nevada HS South where she was a right-back for head coach Rick Grenell; she also played for Coach Grenell's club team the Downtown Las Vegas Gold.
A three-year varsity player on the pitch, Tiffany was involved in her school as well; she was voted Senior Class President and was also a member of the National Honor Society.
Doug and Claudia Fraser are the parents of Tiffany who will be majoring in bio-chemistry while attending McPherson.
Willie Stockton (5-2, MF, Fr., Manhattan, Kan. / Manhattan HS)
A mid-fielder, Willie Stockton joins the Lady Bulldogs after spending four years at Manhattan High School, playing for head coach Mike Sanchez.
As an Indian, Willie was named the team's Most Valuable Player following her freshman year. Her squad won the Centennial League in 2010, 2011 and 2012; they finished fourth in the State of Kansas class 6A in 2011.
She is a high academic student-athlete with a Grade Point Average of 3.7.
Willie is the daughter of Sandra Stockton and sister of current Bulldog soccer player Amy Stockton; Willie is currently undecided as to what she'll major in at MC.
Jessica Dominguez (5-3, MF, Fr., Colorado Springs, Colo. / Colorado State University)
Coming to McPherson College as a midfielder, Jessica brings maturity to the Lady Bulldog program as she was a 2011 high school graduate of Doherty High School. After her time as a Spartan, Jessica went to NCAA Division-I Colorado State University.
As a high school athlete, Jessica scored 20 goals and accumulated 40 assists from her outside-mid position for coaches John Shub and Eryn Gallagher. She has also played for Coach Mark Rogers and the Pride United club team.
Jessica is the daughter of Kari Dominguez and will be majoring in bio-chemistry at MC.
Hailey Hendrix (5-3, MF, Fr., Springdale, Ark. / Har-Ber High School)
A 5-3 midfielder, Hailey is a late commitment for Lady Bulldog soccer; she comes to McPherson after playing for the Har-Ber Wildcats in Springdale, Arkansas.
Under Coach John Marshall's tutelage, Hailey started all but two games during her four year high school career. Along with earning four letters in soccer, Hailey posted a 3.2 grade point average and was a member of National Honor Society.
She is also a member of the Arkansas Comets and Northwest Arkansas Lightening club teams.
Hailey is the daughter of Michael and Katherine Hendrix and will be majoring in education with an emphasis in kinesiology.
