Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Soccer Completes 2007 Recruiting Class
February 22, 2007 | Women's Soccer
Feb. 22, 2007
LUBBOCK, Texas - Entering his third season as head coach, Neil McGuire continues to improve the future of Red Raider soccer. McGuire and his staff announced the signing of the 2007 recruiting class, which consists of six outstanding student-athletes who have submitted letters of intent to join Texas Tech soccer during the upcoming fall.
"I am extremely pleased with the six players we have brought into our program," said McGuire. "As a staff we were able to go around the country and look specifically for needs that would best fit our current playing personnel and system of play. As important as their outstanding soccer ability, each of these young ladies are academically motivated and first class people."
All six of the recruits come to Texas Tech right out of high school. This recruiting class is expected to add to the energy and talent level of the Red Raiders.
"These young ladies will give us what we need in each of their respective positions," said McGuire. "I cannot wait for the first day of fall practices to begin. The prospect of gelling these players with our current players is exciting."
Among the standout players included in the 2007 class is Taylor Lytle (Las Cruces, New Mexico), who joins the Red Raiders after a stellar four-year career at Las Cruces High School. Lytle has been selected as a High School All-American by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). Soccer Buzz named Lytle among the Top 125 recruits in the nation. She was also a member of the U-15 National Team Pool in 2003 and 2004.
The recruiting class is encompassed of players from elite high school teams in Texas and New Mexico. Katie Hinds (Waxahachie, Texas) and Julie Conn (Mansfield, Texas) join the Red Raiders from the highly regarded Dallas area club team, Dallas Sting. Haley Corbell (The Colony, Texas) played for Dallas Sting, but currently plays for the Dallas D'Feeters club team. Hannah Buck (Houston, Texas) is a member of the Houston Challenge team. Karen DeLeon (Las Cruces, New Mexico) and Lytle come to Lubbock from New Mexico after playing for the New Mexico powerhouse, Rio Vista F.C.
"We are now moving much closer to being able to truly compete on a national stage," said McGuire. "We are also well on our way to a very good 2008 recruiting class."
Hannah Buck - MF - Houston, Texas - Klein High
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Participated in soccer for KIein High School ... Played for Houston Challenge Travel Team and competed against major universities ... Helped lead Houston Challenge 88 to a state title every year, appearing as Regional Finalists twice and a Disney Finalist appearance once ... Named 88 South Texas ODP player every year ... Regional Pool 2004 ... IMG Academy 2005 ... U-19 Region Camp 2006 ... Holds a coaches license and helped coach and assist with the Challenge Soccer Academy ... Currently plays for Houston Challenge 89 A Team ... Active in Peer Assistant Leadership Skills and B.E.S.T.
Coach McGuire on Buck "Hannah is a highly skilled midfield player who has very good vision of the field. She is strong in the air, composed on the ball and is able to dictate the rhythm of the game as she is very astute. She has the capability to be a well rounded player at the elite level, and as she physically gets stronger her game will evolve into one that solidifies the center of the park for our team."
Julie Conn - D - Mansfield, Texas - Mansfield High
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Two-sport athlete (volleyball and soccer) at Mansfield High School ... Started all four years ... First Team All-District 4-5A three consecutive years ... Lead team to District Champs three years ... Letterman her freshman year ... Helped the team to Area Finalists in 2004 and 2006 ... Named Team Most Valuable Defender and helped lead Mansfield to Regional Semifinalists ... Named All-Area Super Team Defender and District 4-5A All-Academic Team her senior year ... Served as Team Captain for Lighting Black '89 ... Currently plays for Dallas Sting Royal '89 ... The Sting was named 2005 North Texas State Cup Finalists and Disney's Soccer Showcase Finalists in 2006 and 2007 ... In 2006 The Sting was Texas Cup Champions ... Brother, Josh, 20, plays soccer at Texas A&M.
Coach McGuire on Conn "Julie is an explosive and tough defender. She is powerful and fast and loves to get forward into the attack. She possesses a very good long throw as well as the ability to serve the ball over long distances accurately. She is also dangerous on set pieces as she can strike the ball very hard on a shot on goal. I see her being a leader as she matures."
Haley Corbell - GK - The Colony, Texas - The Colony High
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Starting varsity goalkeeper for The Colony High School 2003-2006 ... Member of the District 7-5A All Freshman Team ... Named as Most Valuable Player for the Varsity Soccer District 8-5A and Dallas Morning News All Area Goal Keeper in 2005-2006 season ... Helped lead her team to 18 shut-outs 2005-2006 season ... Was a member of the Member Sting Soccer Club ... Currently is a member of D'Feeters Soccer Club and NTSSA ODP Program ... NTSSA State Cup Finalist in 2002-2003 ... During 2005-2006 season member of the NTSSA ODP U16 State Team ... Helped lead her team to Region III Premier League West Champion and Surf Cup Champions in 2005.
Coach McGuire on Corbell "Haley is an outstanding talent who will develop into a very special goalkeeper. She is technically very proficient, brave, a good organizer and a very strong physical presence. If she progresses like I feel she can, Haley could prove to be the back bone of our team for years to come. She is a first class young lady."
Karen DeLeon - D - Las Cruces, New Mexico - Mayfield High
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Helped lead Mayfield High to First Team All-District all four years ... Served as Team Captain 2005 and 2006 ... During her sophomore campaign named All-State Honorable Mention and All-Tourney at the Farmington High Tournament ... Led Mayfield High to First Team All-State and a Second place finish in the Snicker State Cup in 2005 ... Honored with District Player of the Year and Team MVP after leading the 5-A States in scoring her junior year ... Participated in Regional in 2005 ... Named Second Team All-State and 24kt Gold Student at Mayfield High School as a senior. Currently plays for Rio Vista FC 89 who were State Champions in 2005.
Coach McGuire on DeLeon "Karen is a very athletic and powerful athlete who knows how to get in behind the defensive line. She is an adept finisher, strong in the air, and can hold the ball up well as a target player. I am very excited to see how Karen develops as I believe her potential in limitless."
Katie Hinds - F - Waxahachie, Texas - Waxahachie High
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Attended Waxahachie High School where she served as captain of her volleyball and soccer team ... Three-sport athlete (soccer, track and volleyball) ... Helped lead Waxahachie to First Team All-District all four years and All-Region twice ... High school team reached Regional Finals ... Honored as two-time Offensive Player of the Year in District 15-4A ... Currently holds the record for goals (115+) and assists at Waxahachie High ... Member of The Sting 89 Royal ... The Sting were 2006 Texas Cup Champions and 2007 Disney Showcase Runner-up ... Club team received Second Place in Region III Premier League.
Coach McGuire on Hinds "Katie is simply a great goal scorer. Her high school record of 115 goals speaks for itself and she adds to our already talented strike force. She is very good in the air, a powerful runner, and hard working and self confident. As she refines her technical ability I am sure she will be player who Big 12 defenders do not look forward to playing against."
Taylor Lytle - MF - Las Cruces, New Mexico - Las Cruces High
Named as one of the nations Top 125 Freshman for the 2007 recruiting class by Soccer Buzz ... NSCAA High School All-American in 2005 ... Helped lead Las Cruces High to state victories in 2003 and 2005 ... Named First Team All-District and All-State all four years... Honored as District 5A Player of the Year her junior and senior campaign ... Named as New Mexico State Player and Gatorade Player of the Year in 2005 ... Tallied 78 goals and 81 assists throughout her high school career ... Currently plays for Rio Vista FC 89 who were State Champions in 2005 ... 2002-2005 New Mexico State ODP Team ... Region IV 89 Girls Regional Pool 2002-2005 and Girls Team 2002-2004 ... Attended U-14 National camp twice ... Participated in U-15 National Team Pool in 2003 and 2004 ... Older brother played soccer at CSULA and is currently playing for the semi-professional team Asylum in Albuquerque.
Coach McGuire on Lytle "Taylor has exceptional soccer talent. She possesses great skill and vision of the field. Her passing ability in tight spaces, and knack of being able to create space for herself will help us significantly in the attacking third of the field. Our forwards will be able to run freely knowing Taylor can find them with the ball. While small in stature I believe she will be a major force in the Big 12."
