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Grand Canyon University Athletics
Women's Soccer Signs Eight for Inaugural Division I Campaign
2/21/2013 3:10:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Will begin play in the Western Athletic Conference in 2013
Grand Canyon University head women's soccer coach Stevie Gill has announced that eight student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to continue their academic and athletic careers with Grand Canyon University. The eight athletes include Taylor Layton, Loren De Medeiros, Kaitlin Klem, Kathryn Yancone, Shannon Costello, Riley Richardson, Alexa Whitney and Jessica Barton.
“This is an excellent class and a great start in helping meet our needs moving forward into NCAA Division I play this fall,” Gill said. “Moving to play a full Division I schedule this fall means that a number of key positions on the pitch needed immediate attention. We believe that our 2013 recruiting class is certainly a step in the right direction in meeting those needs. The eight players arriving at GCU can make an immediate positive impact to the program.”
Taylor Layton is a 5’4” attacking midfielder who attends Agua Fria HS in Avondale, AZ. This past season, Layton broke the school scoring record with 40 goals. She also set the career scoring record for Agua Fria with 117 goals over the course of her high school soccer career. Layton was named to the West Valley Region 4A conference First Team, Arizona High School Second Team, and Team MVP for the 2011-12 season. She plays club soccer for SC Del Sol and in 2009, Layton represented the Arizona ODP Team and was then selected to the Region IV Olympic Development camp in Idaho.
“Taylor is an excellent player that will strengthen an already talented midfield. Taylor has proven that she can compete at the highest level and will be a great asset to this year’s program. I think Taylor can come in and solidify her role in the center of the park right from the start.”
Loren De Medeiros is a 5’2” midfielder who will be joining the ‘Lopes from Long Beach Wilson High School in Cerritos, CA. De Medeiros is a three-year varsity starter and was awarded Newcomer and MVP awards at Long Beach Wilson. Her team has won the league title ten times out of the last eleven years. She plays her club soccer for the Strikers FC ECNL U17 in Southern California where she was club captain for the past five seasons.
“Loren has a great touch on the ball and is an adept passer that will use her skill to break down opponents back line. I believe that she will fit in nicely to our midfield and the way we want to play this fall.”
Kaitlin Klem is a 5’6” defender from Pahrump Valley High School in Pahrump, Nev. Klem was named defensive captain and led Pahrump Valley to the state championship two years in a row. During her high school career, she was awarded defensive player of the year for the 2010, 2011, and 2012 seasons. This year, Klem was named to the All-State First Team and was in the National Honor Society. She plays her club soccer for the Players Soccer Club out of Las Vegas, Nevada.
“Kaitlin is a fierce competitor that is as tough as nails. She will make it very difficult for attackers to get behind her with her defensive mindset. As her nature is quietly confident, I think Kaitlin will thrive in the GCU competitive environment as we will challenge her right from the start.”
Kathryn Yancone is a 5’7” defender who will be joining GCU from North Canyon High School in Phoenix, Ariz. Yancone was a varsity starter for all four years and was part of the Sereno Soccer Club team that won Arizona’s Club State Championship from 2006 to 2010. In 2009, Yancone was named to the Olympic Development Program’s Region IV player pool and now plays her club soccer SC Del Sol of Phoenix.
“Katy is a local standout that has an educated left foot that supports her passing acumen. She is extremely fit and will be a great benefit to us making overlapping runs down the left wing. A great kid with a great attitude, I think Katy will mature into a top player here at GCU."
Shannon Costello is a 6’0” defender from Campo Verde High School in Gilbert, Ariz. She was named to the All-State First Team in the 2011-12 season. At Campo Verde, she was awarded the MVP for the last two years and Best Defender in the 2010-11 season. Costello was her high school team captain for the last three years and this year led her team to the state championship where she scored the winning goal. Costello is a member of the Gilbert Arsenal Soccer Club out of Arizona.
“Shannon is a big, strong athlete that can get the ball down and play. She can play a number of positions and is very competitive. We recently graduated our Center Back so Shannon has a wonderful opportunity to step in and fill that role.”
Riley Richardson is a 5’4” forward from Mt. Spokane High School in Spokane, Wash. Richardson was a four-year varsity starter at Mt. Spokane. As a senior, she was named as team captain and led the team to a 21-1 record and state finalist finish. The Greater Spokane League named Richardson as the co-offensive MVP and she was selected to the All-State Soccer Team. Richardson is an excellent student and was a member of the National Honor Society for the last four years, maintaining a 3.98 GPA.
“Riley is a tireless worker that can make something out of nothing. She is a proven goal scorer that can make an immediate impact up front and will certainly score her share of goals here at GCU.”
Alexa Whitney is a 5’3” midfielder from Hudson Bay High School in Vancouver, Wash. In 2012, Whitney was named varsity soccer MVP and Distinguished Scholar Athlete Award. As a member of the Hudson Bay soccer team, she was selected All-State Second Team and All-Region for the last two years. The Greater St. Helens League named Whitney as Offensive Player of the Year in 2011. She was a member of the Washington ODP team in 2010 and plays her club soccer for Eastside United FC.
“Alexa is an attacking center midfielder that can thread through accurate passes that will breakdown our opponents. She also has a great shot and is tough in the tackle. Alexa has a very promising career here in sunny Phoenix, Arizona.”
Jessica Barton is a 5'1" midfielder from Willow Canyon High School in Surprise, Ariz. Since her sophomore year, Barton has been named First Team All State. She has been a member of the Olympic Development Program here in Arizona, a Provincial Team Member in Canada at the U-14 to U-16 age groups and has won Athlete of the Month on numerous occasions. Jessica ranks third in points for all Arizona Schools and is tops in goals and assists at Willow Canyon. She currently plays her club soccer with CCV.
“Jessica is a tricky player with good vision and can certainly pass a good ball. It will be up to “Midge” to focus herself and compete hard to earn a place in the starting line-up as she moves up to the next level of play. A very capable midfielder that can keep possession of the ball and breakdown defenses.”
“This is an excellent class and a great start in helping meet our needs moving forward into NCAA Division I play this fall,” Gill said. “Moving to play a full Division I schedule this fall means that a number of key positions on the pitch needed immediate attention. We believe that our 2013 recruiting class is certainly a step in the right direction in meeting those needs. The eight players arriving at GCU can make an immediate positive impact to the program.”
“Taylor is an excellent player that will strengthen an already talented midfield. Taylor has proven that she can compete at the highest level and will be a great asset to this year’s program. I think Taylor can come in and solidify her role in the center of the park right from the start.”
Loren De Medeiros is a 5’2” midfielder who will be joining the ‘Lopes from Long Beach Wilson High School in Cerritos, CA. De Medeiros is a three-year varsity starter and was awarded Newcomer and MVP awards at Long Beach Wilson. Her team has won the league title ten times out of the last eleven years. She plays her club soccer for the Strikers FC ECNL U17 in Southern California where she was club captain for the past five seasons.
“Loren has a great touch on the ball and is an adept passer that will use her skill to break down opponents back line. I believe that she will fit in nicely to our midfield and the way we want to play this fall.”
“Kaitlin is a fierce competitor that is as tough as nails. She will make it very difficult for attackers to get behind her with her defensive mindset. As her nature is quietly confident, I think Kaitlin will thrive in the GCU competitive environment as we will challenge her right from the start.”
Kathryn Yancone is a 5’7” defender who will be joining GCU from North Canyon High School in Phoenix, Ariz. Yancone was a varsity starter for all four years and was part of the Sereno Soccer Club team that won Arizona’s Club State Championship from 2006 to 2010. In 2009, Yancone was named to the Olympic Development Program’s Region IV player pool and now plays her club soccer SC Del Sol of Phoenix.
“Katy is a local standout that has an educated left foot that supports her passing acumen. She is extremely fit and will be a great benefit to us making overlapping runs down the left wing. A great kid with a great attitude, I think Katy will mature into a top player here at GCU."
“Shannon is a big, strong athlete that can get the ball down and play. She can play a number of positions and is very competitive. We recently graduated our Center Back so Shannon has a wonderful opportunity to step in and fill that role.”
Riley Richardson is a 5’4” forward from Mt. Spokane High School in Spokane, Wash. Richardson was a four-year varsity starter at Mt. Spokane. As a senior, she was named as team captain and led the team to a 21-1 record and state finalist finish. The Greater Spokane League named Richardson as the co-offensive MVP and she was selected to the All-State Soccer Team. Richardson is an excellent student and was a member of the National Honor Society for the last four years, maintaining a 3.98 GPA.
“Riley is a tireless worker that can make something out of nothing. She is a proven goal scorer that can make an immediate impact up front and will certainly score her share of goals here at GCU.”
“Alexa is an attacking center midfielder that can thread through accurate passes that will breakdown our opponents. She also has a great shot and is tough in the tackle. Alexa has a very promising career here in sunny Phoenix, Arizona.”
Jessica Barton is a 5'1" midfielder from Willow Canyon High School in Surprise, Ariz. Since her sophomore year, Barton has been named First Team All State. She has been a member of the Olympic Development Program here in Arizona, a Provincial Team Member in Canada at the U-14 to U-16 age groups and has won Athlete of the Month on numerous occasions. Jessica ranks third in points for all Arizona Schools and is tops in goals and assists at Willow Canyon. She currently plays her club soccer with CCV.
“Jessica is a tricky player with good vision and can certainly pass a good ball. It will be up to “Midge” to focus herself and compete hard to earn a place in the starting line-up as she moves up to the next level of play. A very capable midfielder that can keep possession of the ball and breakdown defenses.”
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