February 7, 2011

Brizard signs eight for the upcoming 2011 soccer season

Head coach Daniel Brizard will kick off his second year at the helm of the Tennessee Tech women’s soccer team with eight newcomers joining 16 returnees. His signing class includes one Tennessean along with two players out of California and Georgia and three hailing from Ohio.

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Head coach Daniel Brizard will kick off his second year at the helm of the Tennessee Tech women’s soccer team with eight newcomers joining 16 returning players for the 2011 season. The newest class is comprised of one Tennessean along with two players out of California and Georgia and three hailing from Ohio.

With the loss of senior Taren Brown as the anchoring defender and senior midfielder Michelle Decker, the Golden Eagles have focused on bringing in strength in the backfield and midfield with this group of signees.

"We are very excited with the quality of our 2011 class that will be joining our program," Brizard said. "As a staff, we are looking forward to the potential they have to help us achieve success and contribute to obtaining an OVC championship, and eventually NCAA tournament appearance. The 2011 class comes from very competitive environments that will only help our team's success on and off the field."

Brooklyn A. Kimball (MF)

The lone Tennessean in the class, Brooklyn Kimball joins her older sister, Jennee, as a Golden Eagle in 2011. A five-year letterwinner on her high school team, Kimball’s speed and versatility has allowed her to play multiple positions on both ends of the field, helping her team to a state championship in 2008. She was named the Best Defender on her high school team that finished second in the state in 2007, and was named first-team Regional All West and to the All West Regional Tournament team in 2007, 2008 and 2010, and to the All State team in 2008 and 2010. As a member of the Tennessee Rush club soccer team, she was named team MVP and was a started on the TN 93 ODP team from 2005-2009, participating in international matches in Canada. The daughter of Anthony and Jennifer Kimball, Brooklyn was born on April 10, 1993 in Memphis, Tenn. She plans to major in education at Tech.

Hayley Morton (D)

Hailing from Woodstock, Ga., Morton was a four-year letter-winner at Etowah High School, playing mainly in the midfield and on defense for coach John Murnan. She was named First team All-County in 2009 and her team’s Defensive MVP her sophomore and junior years. She was also voted team captain during her junior and senior years. Over the course of her high school career, Morton recorded a record of 36-13-1 and logged eight goals and 12 assists for her team. During her senior season, she notched three goals and four assists, helping her team to a 14-4 record, a County Championship, a Region Championship and the Sweet 16 State Playoffs. She was also a member of the North Atlanta Soccer Association (NASA) ’11 Elite team, where she contributed three goals and six assists on the season. Morton was born on May 18, 1993 in Schwenksville, Pa., to Geoffrey and Lisa Morton.

Paige Himebaugh (D)

Another defender out of Powder Springs, Ga., Paige Himebaugh earned four varsity letters at The Walker School under coach Brad Brown. She was 2008 Cobb County Honorable Mention after playing in 21 games and recording 16 goals and three assists that season, and was named second team Cobb County in 2009 after notching 12 goals and seven assists for her team. In 55 career high school games, she has recorded 28 goals and 16 assists, helping her team to two region championships (2009, 2010) and three state championships (2008, 2009, 2010 AA/A champions). She was also a member of the NASA 11 Elite team from 2006-2009 and the 2010-11 season, and then NASA 10 Elite team in the intermittent 2009-10 season. She recorded 15 goals and 16 assists over the course of her club soccer career. Born to Jeff and Lorraine Himebaugh, Paige was born in Atlanta, Ga. On January 8, 1993. She plants to major in psychology at Tech.

Kelsey McGohan (MF)

A native of Loveland, Ohio, Kelsey earned three letters from Loveland High School and was named FAVC second team all conference. She recorded 11 goals and four assists in high school, and was part of the 2007 district championship squad. She was also a member of the Cincinnati Classics Hammer F.C. Club team. Kelsey also received the All Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association Award, and was named Academic All-Conference and All-Southwest Ohio three years running for her accomplishments in the classroom. The Daughter of Bob and Terri McGohan, Kelsey was born in Cincinnati on August 14, 1992. She will be majoring in Human Ecology: Housing and Design, with the intended career of an interior designer.

Katie Phillips (D)

A four-year letterwinner out of Cincinnati, Oh., Phillips excelled defensively under coach Ron Quinn at Seton High School. She was honored as a Midwest College Showcase Defensive Player and Rookie of the Year, and was voted team captain on a team that were Champions of the Mid-West Regional League, State Cup Semi-Finalists three times over, and United Cup Gold Division Champions. Katie was born on April 24, 1993 to Brien and Angie Phillips, in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Sarah Paige Spencer (CMF)

Hailing from Batavia, Ohio, Paige Spencer earned four letters from Amelia High School, where she was named Division I honorable mention following her senior season. She was named first team all-league during her sophomore and junior years, and received the Outstanding Offense and team MVP awards following her efforts during her junior season when she led her team with six goals and an assist. Spencer also played club soccer for 10 years on three different teams – the Cardinals, Kings and Classics. Born December 3, 1992 to Rick and Tammy Spencer, Paige intends to major in nursing at Tech.

Courtney Dedrick (D)

One of two players out of California, Dedrick played on the San Juan Spirits club soccer team throughout high school under coaches Billy Wiskel and Peter Prieto. Between 2007 and 2010, she was part of teams that amassed a multitude of titles. In 2007, she helped her team to the US Club Soccer State Championship, USYS Cal-North CYSA State Cup finalist spot and Las Vegas College Showcase Championship. Her 2007 squad was also a Surf Cup Finalist and Thanksgiving Surf Cup Finalist team. In 2008, Dedrick was part of the USYS Cal-North CYSA State Cup Championship team, the USYS Far West Regional Championship team and the USYS National Championship Team. In 2009, her team was a Cal Cup Finalist team while in 2010, they were finalists in the ECNL Elite 8 and the Surf Cup. Born on September 14, 1993 to Hank and Stacey Dedrick, Courtney intends to major in psychology.

Chelsea Ladd (D)

Chelsea played one year of high school soccer and was a member of the San Juan Spirits soccer club for all four years of high school with fellow signee Courtney Dedrick. She was a member of the 2008 squad that earned honors as the USYS Cal-North CYSA State Cup Championship team, the USYS Far West Regional Championship team and the USYS National Championship Team. Born October 30, 1993 to Casey Ladd and Lissette Viana in Fairfield, Ca., Chelsea intends to major in nursing and business at Tech.