Full Release- Wayne State women's soccer signs four high school standouts
Wayne State College head women's soccer coach Molly Grisham today announced that four student-athletes have signed national letters of intent to attend Wayne State College and play soccer for the Wildcats in the 2010 season. The list includes Macy Hagen of Bellevue, Nebraska, Kayli Hopper of Norfolk, Nebraska, Kelly Lange of Omaha, Nebraska and Ryan Wells of Arlington, Texas.
Macy Hagen is a 5-7 midfielder/defender from Bellevue East High School where she is a three year starter and four year letter winner in soccer while also starting two seasons in both softball and cross country. Hagen has scored eight career goals with 20 assists entering her senior season this spring for the Chieftains. She led the team in assists last season and was named Defensive MVP and academically has been selected to the honor roll and National Honor Society.
“I believe Macy will come into our system and likely earn time in the midfield,” said Coach Grisham. “Her ability to serve a consistent ball into the box will be a great asset for us. Macy has a great work ethic and is a very coachable player and I'm excited to see her develop over her college career.”
Kayli Hopper is a 5-9 forward from Norfolk High School where she is a three year starter and letter winner for the Panthers. She scored 11 goals last season for Norfolk High School and has 19 career goals and 10 assists entering this spring's senior season. Hopper received All-Greater Nebraska Athletic Conference honors as a junior and was named to the All-Conference and All-State Academic Teams. She helped Norfolk High School to a district runner up finish last season and the Greater Nebraska Athletic Conference title.
“I am thrilled to have a local player in Kayli and to get a player from Norfolk High School is exciting for our program,” remarked Grisham. “Kayli is a forward who simply finds a way to get the job done. She is a physical player who works very hard around the box and I believe she will continue to develop as a player during her college career.”
Kelly Lange is a 5-5 forward/midfielder from Omaha Marian High School. Lange attended Cor Jesu Academy in St. Louis, Missouri for two and a half years and played for the St. Louis Soccer Club Team that competed in the inaugural Red Bull National League for Girls season. She was also a member of the Missouri ODP State Team that was selected for Regional ODP pool play and was the starting midfielder for the Omaha FC Club Team that was a Nebraska State Cup Finalist.
“Kelly will likely be the most technical player on our team,” said Grisham. “Her touch on the ball is tremendous. She is a versatile player who should earn time in the midfield or as a forward and her ball skills will only add to our ability to play good possession soccer. Kelly is an outstanding student as well and is committed in the classroom as much as she is on the field.”
Ryan Wells is a 5-6 goalkeeper from Martin High School in Arlington,Texas where she is a two year starter and four year letter winner. She posted a 13-3-3 record in goal with 10 shutouts and 0.47 goals against average in the 2009 season. Wells helped Martin High School win three district titles in Texas Class 5A soccer and the 2010 team was ranked fifth in the state of Texas.
“I am excited to see Ryan develop under our Goal Keeper Coach Mikell Lucus,” commented Grisham. “Ryan is small for a goal keeper but that does not hold her back. She has a great attitude and work ethic and will immediately increase the depth and competitiveness with our goal keepers.”
Grisham expects to sign up to eight more players in the upcoming weeks of the 2010 signing period.
Wayne State College is an NCAA Division II school located in Wayne, Nebraska and competes in the 14-team Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. The Wildcats finished the 2009 season with a record of 4-15-1 overall and 1-11-1 in the Northern Sun Conference.
