Paulsen Adds Five More to 2013 Recruiting Class
SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. (July 15, 2013) - Before bowing out of the Sooner Athletic Conference Semifinals against No. 4 Oklahoma City, the women's soccer program earned a key shootout victory on the road against Rogers State in the quarterfinals, offering a glimpse into the bright future that was augmented today as recently-installed head coach, Kathleen Paulsen, announced that five more players would join the squad for the 2013 campaign.
Joining local standout goalkeeper and Siloam Springs High School graduate Hannah Poor at Alumni Field this upcoming fall are incomers Braydi Frederick, Casie Griffin, Sara Lachance, Savannah Beth and Sarah Hill.
"I am extremely excited about our incoming freshman class and what they will bring to the Golden Eagle women's soccer program," said Paulsen. "As I have spoken with each of these individuals, it is apparent that these ladies are a great fit with our core values which focus on competing at the highest level possible while maintaining a Christ-centered team culture.
"Each of these girls are a great addition for our program and I am thrilled about the direction that our program is headed."
The incoming class features student-athletes from Kansas, Arkansas and Texas. Five of the six newcomers will help bolster an already impressive defensive squad, anchored by returning goalkeeper Kristen Morency, who recorded 7.5 shutouts in 2012.
Braydi Frederick, a 5-foot-7 forward, joins the Golden Eagles out of Washburn Rural High School in Topeka, Kan. As a member of the Jr. Blues under the guidance of head coach Brian Hensyel, Frederick left an indelible mark on the soccer program as the captain finished her career as the all-time single-season and career scoring leader at Washburn Rural. Over the course of her career, she was named All-City, All-League, All-Region and All-State.
Perhaps most impressively, she was named a finalist for the USA Today/Gatorade High School Player of the Year in Girls Soccer for the State of Kansas in 2012-13.
Frederick, the daughter of Doug and Alecia, earned a spot on the Dean's List and was nominated to the National Honor Society at Washburn Rural and will look to major in Early Childhood Education at John Brown.
Casie Giffin marks the only transfer in Paulsen's 2013 recruiting class, coming to JBU by way of Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kan. A native of Valley Center, Kan., Giffin played her final year of high school soccer at Valley Center High School as a member of head coach Jeff Burger's squad. In her senior with the Hornets, Giffin earned first-team All-League and All-Region accolades.
During her time with the Grizzlies at Butler, Giffin amassed 13 assists over two seasons en route to an Academic All-Conference nomination her freshman season. After her sophomore campaign, she was awarded the National Junior College Athletic Association's Superior Academic Achievement Award for her efforts in the classroom.
Giffin, a 5-foot-2 defensive midfielder, is the daughter of Colby and Tammy Greenlee and will major in Early Childhood Education.
Sara Lachance will only have to travel 25 miles west across 412 to join the Golden Eagles this upcoming fall. The 5-foot-11 midfielder/defender prepped at Har-Ber High School in Springdale under head coach John Marshall.
While captaining the Wildcats, Lachance was voted her squad's Most Valuable Player award in both her junior and senior campaigns. She also earned a place on the school's Honor Roll and garnering the AP Scholar with Honor Award, bestowed upon those that earn at least a 3.5 (on a five-point scale) on at least five AP exams taken. Lachance finished her high school career with a nod to the 7A All-State team.
Lachance, the daughter of Dave and Vicky Lachance, will look to major in Marketing while at John Brown.
Savannah Beth, the lone recruit from Texas, will make her way to Siloam Springs after spending her high school days at Heritage Christian Academy in Rockwall, Texas.
Beth, a 5-foot-6 midfielder and native of Fate, Texas, played club soccer with the Sting Soccer Club that fields programs throughout the state of Texas. While with the Sting under head coach Jeremy Halverson, Beth helped her program win a Lake Highlands Classic League Division I and State Cup championships, all while earning a place in the National Honor Society.
The daughter of Christopher and Sheri, Beth will major in Early Childhood Education while at JBU.
Lastly, Sarah Hill, a native of Overland Park, Kan., joins the squad out of Blue Valley High School. Hill played both midfield and defense during her time as a Tiger under head coach K. Dean Snell. During her senior season, Hill contributed two goals and two assists (six point) in 17 games played, including a lone game-winner as team captain. She was also named to the East Kansas League second team for her efforts.
The 5-foot-6 midfielder led her squad to the 2011 KSHSAA state quarterfinals and, as a member of the Kansas Rush Soccer Club, helped her team to the 2012 President's Cup State Championship en route to a U.S. Youth Soccer Regional Runner-Up finish.
In the classroom, Hill was named to the Principal's Honor Roll while landing the Academic Letter all four years at Blue Valley, which included membership in the National Honor Society and the Presidential Award for Educational Excellence in 2013.
Hill, the daughter of Charlie and Danita Hill, will look to major in Exercise Studies while a member of the women's soccer squad.
The women's soccer team finished the 2012 season with an overall record of 9-6-2 while posting a 4-3-1 mark in Sooner Athletic Conference play. Despite finishing the regular season in fifth place, John Brown upset No. 4 seed Rogers State in Claremore, Okla. in penalty kicks before being ousted from the SAC tournament in the semifinals by No. 1 seed and eventual tournament champion, Oklahoma City.
