Alabama Soccer Inks 11 to National Letters-of-Intent
2/1/2017 11:40:00 AM | Soccer
Crimson Tide signs 11 players for the 2017 freshman class
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama soccer team signed 11 players for the 2017 freshman class, head coach Wes Hart announced on Wednesday. The class includes standouts Gabriella Duca, Kaylee Hammer, Neaka Khalilian, Nicole Lyubenko, Brynn Martin, Taylor Morgan, Kristin Sandifer, Gigi Schorr, Lily Truong, Kaley Verpaele and Casey Wertz, as announced today by head coach Wes Hart.
"I am very excited about the 2017 class," Hart said. "It's a bit larger than we originally anticipated, but each of these players will add value to our program. Any one of these players has a realistic chance of starting in the fall and making an impact. The class is well balanced and checks many of the boxes that we were looking for. This class will undoubtedly help us continue to shape our culture and build toward our quest for a championship."
Duca, a 5-4 forward/midfielder from Lewisville, Texas, spent her club career playing for FC Dallas under head coach Matt Grubb, where she won three state championships in 2010, 2014 and 2015. Her accolades while attending Hebron High School include being named first team all-district in 2015 and winning the forward of the year award in 2016. Duca's athletic ability stretched beyond the soccer field, as she was named a district champion in track & field for the 100-meter dash. Duca received honorable mention honors for the National Elite Prep Showcase event in Fort Worth, Texas. In addition, she was named the Forward of the Year, helping contribute to a state championship her freshman year.
"Gabby is a powerful, pacey wide mid or forward that will be able to get behind opposing back lines," said Hart.
Hammer, a 5-8 goalkeeper from Nampa, Idaho, attended Houston High School in Germantown, Tenn., where she played under head coach David Wolff. The keeper also played for the 99' Lobos Rush, where she played under Kieron Heblich. While playing for the Rush, Hammer became a State Finalist (2015), Region 3 Finialist (2015) and a Nationals Qualifier (2015). Hammer appeared in three state championships at Houston High School, taking home the title in 2013 and 2015, while finishing runner-up in 2014. Her accolades in high school include rookie of the year (2013), freshman MVP (2013), goalkeeper of the year (2014), defensive MVP (2015), All-State team (2015 & 2016), Best of Preps (2015) and team MVP (2016). Hammer played for a quality high school program, as Houston High School posted a 67-1-3 record since 2013, including two state championships. She began competing in soccer at the age of four, and her biggest accomplishment was winning a state championship her junior year.
"Kaley is a good shot stopper," said Hart. "She is also comfortable with the ball at her feet."
Khalilian, a 5-6 midfielder from Southlake, Texas, also spent her club career playing for FC Dallas under head coach Matt Grubb, where she won three state championships in 2010, 2014 and 2015. The gifted midfielder went to Southlake Carroll High School, where she played under head coach Matt Colvin. She began competing in soccer at the age of seven, and her biggest accomplishment is committing to The University of Alabama.
"Neaka is an extremely clever and creative midfielder," said Hart. "She loves to dribble and take players on."
Lyubenko, a 5-7 defender/midfielder from Aurora, Colo., played her club ball for the Real Colorado under head coach Lorne Donaldson. The talented defended attended Grandview High School, where she won back-to-back state championships under head coach Tari Wood. Moreover, Lyubenko was named an All-American, Colorado Player of the Year, All-State and All-League. Lyubenko began competing in soccer at the age of three, and her biggest accomplishment was being named an All-American.
"Nicole is a tough, physical, hard-nosed defender," said Hart. "She is capable of playing a variety of positions for us."
Martin, a 5-2 defender from Littleton, Co., competed in club play for the Colorado Rush, a team previously coached by Hart. She attended Dakota Ridge High School, where she earned honorable mention accolades after the 2016 season. Martin helped lead the Rush to the playoffs from 2014-16, and she participated in the U18 Women's National Team Camp in Dec. 2015 and Sept. 2016.
"Brynn is an intelligent center back who reads the game well," said Hart. "She also has great experience with the youth national team."
Morgan, a 5-2 midfielder from Westfield, N.J., comes to the Capstone ranked as a three-start recruit, according to TopDrawerSoccer.com. She attended Westfield High School and played club ball for PDA O'Reilly under head coaches Alex Schmidt and Tom Anderson, respectively. Morgan has played quality soccer, as PDA O'Reilly was named the best club in the country in 2014 and 2015. Additionally, Morgan was named an All-State and a four-time All-County player. Taylor has two bothers in Darion and Alik that play college soccer at Emory and West Florida, respectively.
"Taylor is a central midfielder with a great engine and a high soccer IQ," said Hart.
Schorr, a 5-6 defender/midfielder from Columbus, Ga., spent her club career playing for Birmingham United Soccer Association under head coach Ben Parks. She attended Columbus High School, where she was named the 2015 & 2016 High School Co-Player of the Year. Schorr was also named to the First Team All Bi-City Soccer team her freshman, sophomore and junior years. She was also named a 2015-16 TeamSnap Spring Season High School State All-Star.
"Gigi is an outside back with pace who likes to get forward and join the attack," said Hart.
Sandifer, a 5-3 defender from Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., played her club ball for the Jacksonville FC under head coach Mike Walkert, where she won back-to-back national championships (2014 & 2015) in the United States Youth Soccer league. While attending Ponte Vedra High School, Sandifer earned All-County accolades three times and All-State honors after the 2015 season. Sandifer played AAU basketball competitively, and almost decided to drop soccer for basketball.
"Kristin is an outside back with a tremendous work rate and ability to get forward in the attack," said Hart.
Truong, a 5-2 forward from Safety Harbor, Fla., played her club ball for the Clearwater Chargers under head coach Erin Morse. She went to Countryside High School, where she was named the MVP her sophomore and junior years, while being named to the First-Team All-County. Truong began playing soccer at the age of six, and her biggest accomplishment is committing to The University of Alabama.
"Lily is a dynamic attacker who is capable of scoring goals in a variety of ways," said Hart.
Verpaele, a 5-5 defender/midfielder from Cocoa Beach, Fla., arrives to the Capstone as ranked as a three-star recruit, according to TopDrawerSoccer.com. The skillful defender attended Merritt Island High School, and she spent her club career playing for Orlando City. Verpaele was named the MVP of her high school team her senior year. Her athletic ability moves beyond the soccer field, as she ran track & field competitively in high school. She began playing soccer at the age of 11, and her biggest accomplishment is making straight A's and being named to the honor roll.
"Kaley is a central midfielder that can distribute, score goals and is very good in the air," said Hart.
Wertz, a 5-7 forward from Marietta, Ga., spent her club career playing for Tophat SC, where she won three state championships and two regional championships. She attended Walton High School, where she was named Rookie of the Year (2014) and Attacking Player of the Year (2015). An interesting fact about Casey is that she has a twin sister. She began playing soccer at the age of 11, and her biggest accomplishment is scoring five goals in one game.
"Wertz is a strong and athletic forward with a nose for the goal," said Hart.
2017 Alabama Soccer Signees
Name Position Height Hometown
1. Gabriella Duca F/MF 5-4 Lewisville, Texas
2. Kaylee Hammer GK 5-8 Nampa, Idaho
3. Neaka Khalilian MF 5-6 Southlake, Texas
4. Nicole Lyubenko D/MF 5-7 Aurora, Colo.
5. Brynn Martin D 5-2 Littleton, Colo.
6. Taylor Morgan MF 5-2 Westfield, N.J.
7. Gigi Schorr D 5-6 Columbus, Ga.
8. Kristin Sandifer D 5-3 Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
9. Lily Truong F 5-2 Safety Harbor, Fla.
10. Kaley Verpaele D/MF 5-5 Cocoa Beach, Fla.
11. Casey Wertz F 5-7 Marietta, Ga.
Get all the latest information on the team by following AlabamaSoccer on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. General athletic news can also be found at UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and Alabama Athletics on Facebook.
