Feb. 3, 2016 WACO, Texas -- Baylor soccer added all-around depth to its roster for the 2016 season by inking six talented players, head coach Paul Jobson announced Wednesday.
The six players increase BU's incoming class to eight as goalkeeper Maggie Burton (6-1 | Eagle, Idaho | Eagle H.S. | FC Nova) and defender Marissa Kinsey (5-10 | Allen, Texas | Allen H.S. | Dallas Sting) signed in December and will partake in the Bears' spring practices and exhibition matches.
AUDREY JOHNSTON | D | 5-9 | DALLAS STING | WOODWAY, TEXAS
Club/High School: Played at Midway High School ... Earned Super Centex Newcomer of the Year freshman year ... Named Super Centex Team, first-team All-District and District Offensive MVP during freshman, sophomore and junior years ... Posted 57 goals and 32 assists during freshman, sophomore and junior years ... Named team captain in 2015 ... Named All-District in cross country freshman year ... Earned cross country Academic All-State senior year.
Personal: Born July 10, 1998 ... Daughter of Alan and Lori Johnston ... Intends on majoring in education ... Sister, Bailey, plays soccer at North Texas ... Grandfather, Dewain Finley, played football at Baylor in 1962.
Jobson on Johnston: "Has great speed getting down the wing and can service a great cross. Really could play multiple positions for us. Excited to integrate her into the system and watch her develop."
RAEGAN PADGETT | F | 5-6 | ALBION HURRICANES FC | BEAUMONT, TEXAS
Club/High School: Played at Hardin-Jefferson High School ... Team Offensive Player of the Year in 2014 ... Team Defensive Player of the Year in 2013 ... Named second-team All-State in 2015 ... Earned Super Gold Soccer Athlete in 2015 ... Also competed in track at HJHS ... State runner-up in 4x100 in 2015 ... State runner up in 4x200 in 2014 ... Regional finalist in 100 meter and 200 meter in 2013 ... Super Gold Track Athlete in 2014 and 2015 ... Team track MVP in 2013, 2014 and 2015 ... Also competed in volleyball and powerlifting in 2013.
Personal: Born May 2, 1998 ... Daughter of James and Stephanie Padgett ... Intends on majoring in biology ... Sister, Kathryne, plays soccer at University of St. Thomas ... Brother, Grayson, plays baseball at Houston ... Member of National Honor Society.
Jobson on Padgett: "Will come in right away and be one of the fastest kids on the field. Has a strong athletic presence going at the goal and uses her speed to get behind back the back line."
HALEE SOWINSKI | D | 5-6 | FC DALLAS | ALLEN, TEXAS
Club/High School: Played at Allen High School ... Helped AHS to playoffs in 2013 and 2014 ... Helped FC Dallas to regionals in 2014 ... Helped FC Dallas finish eighth in nation in 2013.
Personal: Born June 25, 1998 ... Daughter of Steve and Kim Sowinski ... Intends on majoring in biochemistry.
Jobson on Sowinski: "Fast, athletic and extremely competitive kid that has the ability to play up front and score goals. She also has the ability to be a shutdown defender. Focused on being her best and has shown to be very determined and serious in whatever she sets out to do."
SOMMER STANLEY | D/MF | 5-9 | TEXAS RUSH | THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS
Club/High School: Played at The Woodlands High School ... Helped TWHS win two District championships in 2014 and 2015 ... Named first-team All-District and Academic All-District in 2014 and 2015 ... Named team captain in 2016 ... Posted 12 goals and 13 assists in career at TWHS ... Team captain for Texas Rush club team ... Helped Rush to 2012-2013 ECNL North American League Finals ... Posted three goals and 11 assists in three seasons with Rush.
Personal: Born March 12, 1998 ... Daughter of Craig and Leissa Stanley ... Intends on majoring in journalism.
Jobson on Stanley: "Tough, athletic center-back for her club that has the ability to play anywhere up the middle of the field for us."
KAU'INOHEA TAYLOR | F | 5-9 | HAWAII PREPARATORY ACADEMY | KAMUELA, HAWAII
Club/High School: Played at Hawaii Preparatory Academy ... Helped team win four straight BIIF Championships ... Help HPA win state championships in 2013 and 2014 ... 2014 All-BIIF first team ... 2014 State All-Tournament Team ... 2015 Hawaii State Champion in high jump ... Also played volleyball and softball at HPA.
Personal: Born Jan. 16, 1998 ... Daughter of Randy Solomon and Tiffiny Taylor ... Intends on majoring in kinesiology.
Jobson on Taylor: "Versatile player whose athleticism and coachability will play a huge part in getting her on the field at multiple positions. Has potential to be a physical presence for us on the field."
ASHLEY THORNHILL | MF | 5-9 | CHALLENGE SC | KATY, TEXAS
Club/High School: Played at Morton Ranch High School ... Named first-team All-District during freshman and junior years ... Earned second-team All-District and Team Offensive MVP during sophomore year ... Named team captain during junior and senior year ... Garnered Team MVP during junior year ... Three-time I-10 Shootout All-Tournament Team choice ... Team captain for Challenge SC ... Posted seven goals and nine assists in three seasons with Challenge SC ... Member of the U.S. Club Soccer's National Identification and Development Program.
Personal: Born Jan. 16, 1998 ... Daughter of Michael and Katrina Thornhill ... Intends on majoring in biology ... Sisters, Chelsea and Amber, played soccer at Houston Baptist and Lamar, respectively ... Member of National Honor Society.
Jobson on Thornhill: "Winger with really good speed and awareness of the game around her. She has great one-on-one ability and has the ability to serve a great cross."
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