Feb. 4, 2004
WACO, Texas - Baylor University head soccer coach George Van Linder announced his signing class for the 2004-05 academic school year. This is only the second recruiting class for Van Linder since coming to Baylor in December 2002 after coaching at SMU. The new class includes 11 players from four different states including California, Georgia and Texas.
"Our team needed size and speed and that's exactly what we got," Van Linder said. "The coaching staff thinks these new recruits are going to compliment the players we have now."
From the home state of Texas, Baylor locked down six signees. At the defensive position, Baylor signed heavily recruited Megan Sherrel (Balch Spring, Texas). The 5-foot-6 defender was recruited by almost every school in the Big 12 and also played for the North Texas Olympic Development team. In addition to Sherrel, the Bears signed Laura Brock (Dallas, Texas) who will bring consistency and a strong work ethic to the Bears' backfield.
The Bears also signed three midfielders to their roster including Gentry Sharp (Carrollton, Texas) and Margaret Kaderli (Fredericksburg, Texas). Sharp, a member of the North Texas Olympic Development program, and Kaderli will help fill the void after losing senior captain Candace Reilly. The Bears also signed Pat Roscovius (Coppell, Texas) at the midfielder position. Roscovius has led her club team to two consecutive National Championship Cup appearances as well as earning a 3.9 GPA.
Offensively, the Bears signed forward Karen Oparaeke (Plano, Texas). The 5-foot-7 forward possess speed and chose Baylor over Texas and SMU.
Baylor signed three defensive standouts from the state of California. Ashley Holder (Vacaville, Ca.), a 6-foot-1 goalkeeper, has been a member of the Northern California State Olympic Development Program and will be the tallest goalkeeper in Baylor history. The Bears also picked up two defenders from the west coast. Shannon Smith (Lakewood, Ca.) and Rosa Zapata (Livermore, Ca.) will add to a strong defensive field for Baylor next season.
The Bears also received a commitment from 5-foot-9 midfielder Shea Yates (Edmond, Okla.), who chose Baylor over Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. Rounding out the class is Jessica Hutton from Marietta, Ga. Hutton will bring speed and an aggressive style of play to help rebuild an offensive front depleted by graduation.
Baylor Soccer 2004 Signees
Laura Brock D Dallas, Texas (Episcopal of Dallas)Ashley Holder GK Vacaville, Ca. (Vacaville)Jessica Hutton F Marietta, Ga. (Walton)Margaret Kaderli MF Fredericksburg, Texas (Fredericksburg)Karen Oparaeke F Plano, Texas (Plano East)Pat Roscovius D/MF Coppell, Texas (Coppell)Gentry Sharp MF Carrollton, Texas (Creekview)Megan Sherrel D Balch Springs, Texas (West Mesquite)Shannon Smith D Lakewood, Ca. (Wilson)Shea Yates MF Edmond, Okla. (Edmond North)Rose Zapata D Livermore, Ca. (Amador Valley)
