William Carey Announces 10 Commitments for 1st Signing Day

 

The William Carey University women’s soccer team announces 10 commitments for the 2007 season.  Emma Bateman (Leeds, England), Jasmine Elsayed (Houma, LA), Penny Fowler (Hampshire, England), Niki Griffin (Las Vegas, NV.), Barbra Jablanski (Ocean Springs, MS), Angela Loose (Biloxi, MS), Natalia Nino (Houston, TX), Chelsey Phillips (Plano, TX), Cassy Schaffer (Keller, TX), and Valerie Split-Log (Baton Rouge, LA), have all committed to William Carey University.  In Coach Owens’ second year as head coach he feels he has brought another solid recruiting class that will help strengthen his team.  “We have worked really hard to bring these girls to Carey next year.  Every one of these girls are quality players that will contribute to the success of the program.  A lot of these girls have been captains of either their high school team or club team and this will add leadership to the program.  We wanted to bring in girls that could push for starting time with an already young team and our team should improve from top to bottom.” says Owens.  Coach Owens hopes to have a few more commitments by the end of the month.

 

 

Emma Bateman 2007 Commitment

Hometown:  West Yorkshire, England

High School: St Wilfrids Catholic High School

Intended Major:

Position: Striker

Club Team:  White Rose Ladies

 

Emma has decided to come to the States and continue her soccer career at William Carey.  She currently plays for the White Rose Ladies and recently set the club’s all-time-goals-in-a-game record by scoring 9 goals in one game.  “Emma possesses a tremendous ability to score goals and has the pace to get in behind the defense. I am excited to have Emma come in and contribute to the success of our program next year,” said Owens.   

 

 

Jasmine Elsayed 2007 Commitment

Hometown: Houma, Louisiana

High School: H.L.Bourgeois

Intended Major: Psychology/Education

Position: Midfield

Club Team: Carrollton & Houma United

 

Jasmine hails from Houma, LA and brings a strong background of soccer to the team.  Not only was Jasmine MVP of her district in high school, but Jasmine brings a wealth of honors from running on her track team.  “Jasmine brings a lot of speed to the team next year.  She has played with good club teams and has had a lot of success in her years of soccer.  As a natural left footer, Jasmine should be able to hold down one of the outside positions for us.  I am excited to have Jasmine in next year and expect a lot from her,” said Owens.

 

 

 

Penny Fowler 2007 Commitment

Hometown: Portsmouth, England

High School:

Intended Major:

Position: Defender

Club Team: Portsmouth Ladies Academy

 

Penny has joined the 2007 recruiting class of the William Carey Ladies Soccer Team.  Penny is from Portsmouth, England and plans on making an immediate impact to the Carey defense.  “Penny is a great man marker and has a great understanding of the game.  All the reports I have received from her coaches back home state that not only is she a first-class soccer player, but an unbelievable person.  I think she will fit in to what we are trying to build here and I am honored to have Penny join our program,” says Owens.

 

 

Niki Griffin 2007 Commitment

Hometown:  Las Vegas, NV

High School:  Silverado High School

Intended Major:  Nursing

Position:  Defender

Club Team: Neusport Tabagators

 

Niki is leaving her home of Las Vegas to attend school at Carey.  “When I visited Carey, I really liked the area and the small campus was something that I was looking for.  I feel that William Carey is a good fit for me with their Nursing Program and I am excited about playing soccer there next year.”  “Niki is a strong defender who plays at a high level in Nevada.  Her high school team is making a push for the State Championship this year and her club team is always in contention for the State Championship.  I think she will come in with some experience and should do well here,” said Owens.

 

 

 

Barbra Jablanski

Hometown:  Biloxi, MS

High School: St. Martin High School

Intended Major: Nursing

Position: Striker

Club Team:  Biloxi Express

 

Barbra has played varsity since the 7th grade and has tallied 91 goals in her career.  Barbra has been nominated for the Wendy’s High School Heisman award and will attend Carey as a WCU scholar.  “Barbra has had a successful high school career and has a knack of scoring goals.  I feel that Barbra will be able to continue her athletic and academic success here at Carey in the next four years,” said Owens.

 

 

 

Angela Loose 2007 Commitment

Hometown:  Biloxi, MS

High School:  Biloxi High School

Intended Major:  Psychology

Position:  Midfield

Club Team: Gulf Coast United

 

Angela has played varsity since the 7th grade, has been captain of her high school team for 3 years and was selected to the All District Team.  “Angela will be able to play a few positions for us next year.  She brings a lot of enthusiasm and a great personality to the team and we expect good things from her in the next four years,” said Owens. 

 

 

 

Natalia Nino 2007 Commitment

Hometown: Houston, TX

High School: Bellaire High School

Intended Major: Nursing

Position: Forward, Defender

Club Team: Cy-fair Dynamos

 

Natalia will be leaving her home of Houston, TX to attend Carey in the Spring.  Natalia has been selected to the All District team all 4 years of her high school career.  Captain of her team, she was also selected as MVP in her district after scoring 48 goals and 30 assists her senior year.  Natalia brings many accolades with her to the program and Coach Owens is excited about having Natalia, “Natalia will be able to come in right away and help us next year.  We are undecided in which role Natalia will help us in, but she definitely will improve our team.”

 

 

 

Chelsey Phillips

Hometown:  Plano, TX

High School: Plano Senior High School

Intended Major: Nursing

Position: Midfield

Club Team:  Sting 89’ White

 

Chelsey comes from a well respected club team in Dallas and brings a lot of experience to the program.  “Chelsey brings a wealth of knowledge and talent to the team.  She is a very technical player and loves to create within the midfield. With the forwards we have now and the ones we have coming in, this creativity should contribute to a lot of goal scoring opportunities,” said Owens.

 

 

 

Cassy Schaffer 2007 Commitment

Hometown: Keller, TX   
High School: Southlake Carroll Senior High     
Intended Major: Biology
Position: Midfield

Club Team: FC Mustangs

 

Cassy originally hails from Diamondhead, MS, but moved to Dallas after Hurricane Katrina stormed through the Coast.  Cassy has thrived in her new surroundings playing at a higher level of soccer and looks forward to moving back closer to home to continue her soccer career.  “Cassy is a tremendous athlete and has unbelievable speed.  I have coached Cassy before when she was younger and feel that she will do a great job in running the flank for us.  I know she is excited about moving back closer to home and being closer to family and friends,” said Coach Owens. 

 

 

 

 

Valerie Split-Log 2007 Commitment

Home Town: Baton Rouge, LA.

High school: Woodlawn High School

Intended Major:  Secondary Education

Position: Goalkeeper

Club Team: Baton Rouge Soccer Club

 

Valerie has been selected to the All-District team 3 years running and All-Metro for two years along with being the team captain for two years.  Valerie also plays for a good club team and played ODP for the past couple of years.  “The goalkeeping position is wide open next year and Val stands a good chance of playing her freshman year.  She brings a lot of experience and determination to the position.  I am excited to sign Val and anticipate great things from her over the next four years at Carey,” said Owens.