Angelo State women's soccer coach Tom Brown has announced the addition of eight new players to the roster for the 2008 season. The eight newcomers signed national letters of intent during the first week of the signing period.
The Rambelles finished 2007 with an 8-8-3 record and qualified for their sixth-consecutive Lone Star Conference. ASU lost two seniors from last year's team, forward Ashley Tatum and goalkeeper Becky Martin, and looks to build on the depth at those two positions.
"This is a very solid class from top to bottom," Brown said. "Our junior and senior classes were also big and both of them have helped us to be very successful. I think the players in this class will be successful as well."
The Rambelles add five midfielders, two defenders and one defender to their squad for 2008.
Grand Prairie native Courtney Eastep, Lauren Fritsch from Corpus Christi, LeShea Millard from Cedar Park, Ashley Van Bakel from Colleyville and Erica Weyrick from Richardson will further deepen the midfielder position, plus give coach Brown some versatility on the wings. Eastep, a three-time all-district selection at South Grand Prairie High School, finished her career with the Lady Warriors with 16 goals and 20 assists. Fritsch, a four-time academic all-district selection, amassed 17 goals and 40 assists at Carroll High School. Millard helped Cedar Park High School to the bi-district finals in 2007 and two tournaments in 2006 and 2007. Van Bakel led Grapevine High School to consecutive district titles in 2006 and 2007. Weyrick played high school soccer at JJ Pearce in Richardson and club ball for the Dallas Texans Soccer Club.
"Courtney can play as a center forward or an attacking midfielder while Lauren is strong in the tackle or when shooting," Brown said. "LeShea is a hard-nosed athlete that does not like players to get past her. Ashley is a terrific left-side player that does real well running at other players. Erica is a very solid player and a terrific server of the ball."
The two defenders added to the roster are Kristen Cowns from Midwest City, Okla., and Megan Schaffer from New Braunfels. Cowns helped lead Carl Albert High School to the state semi-finals in her freshman and sophomore season. Schaffer is a three-time all-district selection for New Braunfels High School.
"Kristen is a good defender that can stay with the other team's forward and can also add to the attack," Brown said. "Megan is a very smart player and a good organizer that combines well with other players."
The lone forward in the class is Brandie DeBacker, also from New Braunfels. DeBacker led Canyon High School to the region and area finals in 2005 and 2006 and the quarterfinals in 2007.
"Brandie is a very good forward who has a nose for scoring goals," Brown said. "I don't think you replace an Ashley Tatum. I believe it will be a community effort to score those goals. We return some very fine forwards and I believe that Brandie will score quite a few goals for us."
The Rambelles will report for fall training the first full week in August. ASU will begin the season Labor Day weekend in a tournament in St. Joseph's, Mo., at a tournament hosted by Missouri Western State.
