Cowgirl soccer signs seven

University of Wyoming head soccer coach Danny Sanchez announced the signing of seven student-athletes got the fall of 2010. The Cowgirl class includes, two forwards, two midfielders, two defenders, and one goalkeeper.

Joining Wyoming soccer will be Ellen McCormick (Omaha, Neb.), Carmen McDermott (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Lucie McDowell (Queensland, Australia), Mackenzie Meade (Laramie) Liz O’Reilly (St. Clair, Australia), Sara Paul (Calgary, Alberta), and Julie Vande Berg (Tempe, Ariz.).

The Cowgirls will look to replace four seniors from last year’s squad in Kerstyn Etheridge, Morgan Johnson, Emily Layton, and Emma Wilson.

"We are very excited about our 2010 recruiting class. We feel that we have addressed specific needs throughout the team and will have more depth and competition at each position," said Sanchez. "What makes this class a bit unique is that most of these players can play multiple positions. They each have gained experience playing in different roles on their high school and club teams. They each come in with a commitment to improve Wyoming soccer and they are excited to become a part of our university."

McCormick, who can play forward or midfield, will join the Cowgirls after playing her high school career at Omaha Marian in Omaha, Neb. McCormick earned all-state honors in 2009 after leading her team to the conference championship. She played club soccer for Toro Depotivo and the Omaha Elite FC and was named team captain in 2008. McCormick led the OFC Elite RIO to the 2009 Nebraska State Championship. She was also a member of the ’92 Nebraska ODP team.

McDermott, a 5-foot, 9 goalkeeper from Colorado Springs, Colo., joins the Wyoming soccer program after playing her high school career at Pine Creek High School. McDermott was a four-time letterwinner and earned first team all-state in 2008-09 where she is also the team captain heading into her senior year this spring. She played her club soccer for the Colorado Rush and also participated in the Colorado Olympic Development program where she played in the ODP Championships in 2009. Academically, McDermott was an all-state academic team champion member for 2008-09 and was named academic all-state for three years.

A native of Queensland, Australia, McDowell is a midfielder and one of two incoming freshmen from Australia. In her high school career, McDowell was selected to the state high school team as well as the Australian Schoolgirls National soccer team in 2010 where she toured China and the UK with future Cowgirl teammate Liz O’Reilly. McDowell was also a member of the Regional Met North Team from 2006-2009 and the Queensland Schoolgirls Team in 2009. She also participated in swimming, cross country, and softball in high school.

Meade will join the Cowgirls as the all-time leading goal scorer in Laramie High School history with 46 goals heading into her senior season. While at LHS, Meade won two Wyoming State Championships and earned all-conference and all-state selections. Meade played club soccer for the Laramie Blizzard and Fort Collins Arsenal. While with the Blizzard, Meade won two state championships in 2003 and 2007. For the Arsenal, Meade was used primarily as a defender for Fort Collins and her teammates were Colorado State Runner-ups in 2008 and placed fourth in 2009.

O’Reilly and fellow freshman McDowell are the first Australian natives to play soccer at the University of Wyoming. O’Reilly was named to the 2009 and 2010 Australian Schoolgirls National team. She was named the team MVP for their tour of Japan and Korea in 2009. O’Reilly was selected to the all-regional team and all-state teams and also named team captain for both squads. She was a part of the NSW Metro Team for three years and captain of the NSW Metro team that won the 2007 National Championship. At the Hills Sports High School, O’Reilly was a part of the 4-time NSWCHS tournament championships.

Paul, a forward and native of Calgary, Alberta, will join three of her former club teammates that signed with the Cowgirls a year ago. Paul won a total of four provisional and three national championships with her club team Calgary Foothills. She was the leading goal scorer and golden boot winner at the U/18 Canadian National Tournament in 2009. She has been a member of the Canadian National Training Center since she was 13 years old. For her high school team, Paul led her team to three consecutive city championships. Paul was invited to the Team Canada Camp in 2009 and played a U20 international friendly against Mexico in November of 2009.

Vande Berg, a defender, played her high school soccer at Corona del Sol High School. In 2008, Corona del Sol was ranked 8th in the nation during the season. She was a part of numerous tournament championship teams and the 5A state championship team in 2007. Vande Berg was named team captain in 2009 and also participated in swimming in high school. She played her club soccer with the Gilbert Arsenal ’92 that were quarter-finalists in the Far West Regional’s in 2009 and Arizona State Cup Runners-up from 2007-09. In the classroom, Vande Berg was a National Honor Society member, honor roll student, and was named academic all-conference all four years.

"The Mountain West Conference is getting stronger and deeper every year," Sanchez said. "We feel that these talented student-athletes will help us continue to improve and move our program forward. They come from various backgrounds and we feel will have a huge impact on Cowgirl soccer."

The newly signed Cowgirls will join 17 returning players and will look to improve on last year’s 9-8-3 overall record and 3-3-1 MWC mark. The Cowgirls will open spring play by hosting the Wyoming Indoor Classic on March 7.