Concord Women's Soccer Announced New Recruiting Class - Beckley, Bluefield & Lewisburg News, Weather, Sports

The following is a press release from Concord University:

Concord's women's soccer team has a become a model of consistency in the WVIAC, reaching
the conference tournament every year of its existence.

Head coach Stefani Workman has announced a group of new recruits that plans on maintaining -- and improving upon -- CU's proven record of success.

Eight players have signed on to become Lady Lions, starting with the 2012 season. They are:

CHLOE BARBER
Midfielder / Hurricane, West Virginia
Hurricane High School / Club Team: Charleston Chaos

Barber earned All-State recognition three times during her high school career, helped Hurricane reach the state finals as a sophomore and was team captain as a senior. As a youth player, Barber's club team won three consecutive state titles. At HHS she also won two conference championships in track and field, and was named Outstanding Artist in each of her first three years. "I chose Concord," Barber says, "because it's close to home and I wanted to continue playing soccer."

STACEY CALDER
Defender / Addiewell, West Lothian, Scotland
University of Abertay, Dundee / Club Team: Forfar Farmington

Calder hopes to continue the tradition of players from the United Kingdom excelling on the pitch at Concord. She's experienced triumph in her native Scotland, winning a Tier 1 league championship with Abertay University and a Division 2 league title with Forfar. "I chose Concord because it's a successful school," Calder says, "that provides me with the opportunity to learn and play soccer at the same time."

SHELBY ECSEDI
Midfielder / Waterloo, Ontario Canada
Waterloo Collegiate Institute / Club Team: St. Catharine's Jets

Escedi brings leadership experience to Concord, having been the captain of her high school and club teams the least two years. "I chose Concord because the school is amazing," Escedi says. "The campus is beautiful and Concord has so much to offer both athletically and academically -- I like knowing that I can basically do whatever I want once graduating from there, and the soccer team is just brilliant.
"Everyone is so nice, and I already feel like I fit in. The coaches really push the team, but still maintain a good relationship with the girls. Everyone works hard, but in the end we all have a good time."

MORGAN HYPES
Forward / Hico, West Virginia / Midland Trail High School

Hypes is very much a "student-athlete." She's posted a perfect 4.0 grade point average in high school and will be valedictorian of her graduating class. On the pitch, she's earned all-conference honors twice and all-state recognition in each of her seasons at Midland Trail. "I chose Concord," Hypes says, "because it meets my goals in academics and athletics."

BRIANNE LaFEMINA
Defender / East Islip, New York
East Islip High School / Club Team: Brentwood Explosion

LaFemina earned all-league recognition in her last three seasons at EIHS and was the Redmen's team captain. She also captained her club team and was a five-time regional premier player. "I chose Concord because it fulfilled what I was looking for," LaFemina says. "I'm looking to earn a degree in Special Education and to continue to play competitive soccer. Concord met these expectations and will give me the opportunity to achieve both."

DEANNA REYNOLDS
Defender / East Islip, New York
East Islip High School / Club Team: Brentwood Explosion

Reynolds helped EIHS win league and Long Island championships, earning all-league honors along the way. She joins high school and club teammate Brianne LaFemina in coming to Concord. "I chose Concord because I felt it was a perfect fit," Reynolds says. "I loved the athletic training program and how it was hands-on. The staff and team was very nice and made me feel so welcome. I loved the size and cleanliness of the school. I love it."

KARI SIMON
Forward / Parkersburg, West Virginia
Parkersburg South High School / Club Team: Charleston Chaos

Simon earned multiple 1st team all-state and all-conference honors in her junior and senior high school seasons. She finished her career at PSHS as a team captain and the school's second all-time leading scorer; her work in the classroom secured her a spot on the school's Principal's List. "I chose Concord," says Simon, "because of its good soccer program and academics, and the way the coaching staff recruited me!"

SAMANTHA WOOD
Midfielder / Princeton, West Virginia / PikeView High School

Wood was one of the mainstays of a PikeView program that's developed into one of the best in West Virginia's AA/A division. With Wood up front, the Panthers won two conference championships, four sectional championships and a pair of regional titles. She earned all-state and all-conference honors in each of her four high school seasons.
"I chose Concord," Wood says, "because the classes are known to be challenging. I know I'll get a great education, and it's close to home."

CU's 2012 season begins with the Concord Kickoff Classic, August 30-September 1 at Anderson Field. The Lady Lions open against East Stroudsburg (PA) at 3:00 pm on Thursday, August 30, and take on Kutztown (PA) at Noon on Saturday, September 1.