Tampa Women’s Soccer Announces Class of 2013 Signings
TAMPA, Fla. - University of Tampa women's soccer coach Gerry Lucey has announced members of the Class of 2013 who have signed a National Letter of Intent (NLI) to attend UT. The group will enroll and be eligible to play in the fall of 2013.
Among the signees are midfielders Kay Harmon (Orlando, Fla.), Emily Jones (Valrico, Fla.), Chelsea Martin (Bradenton, Fla.), defenders Megan Comeau (Hampton, N.H.) and Shelby Larson (Riverview, Fla.) and forwards Taylor DeCaire (Tampa, Fla.) and Kaley Ward (Saint Cloud, Fla.).
"I am thrilled with the group of signees that will arrive here this fall. In addition to the players listed, we have another group of freshmen that will arrive here and help make this program even stronger. We have attempted to strengthen all areas of the field and bring in a group of motivated players who will put UT back to the summit of NCAA Division II soccer. The competition within the squad next season will be greater than ever before and hopefully this will translate into success on the field too. In addition to their soccer abilities, our new group has also performed well in the classroom and should keep the program's overall GPA above a 3.3."
Megan Comeau • Def. • 5-7 • Hampton, N.H.
• Oyster River High School
Club Highlights: Played for Seacoast United Soccer Club
and coach Ian Burgess…Led team to state championship from
2008-12…Part of 2010 and 2011 Super Y national championship
team…Second-place at regionals for three years…Won FC
Delco title…Also played for Seacoast United and New
Hampshire Olympic Development Program.
High School: Attended Oyster River High School, playing for coaches Lynda Nelson and Cyd Scarano…Named rookie of the year as a freshman…Part of Foster's Daily Democrat dream team in each of four years…Offensive Player of the Year was honorable mention as a freshman and three-time first-team all-state performer.
Personal: Member of National French Honor Society…Named all-scholastic while receiving high honors…Volunteered with Relay for Life, Oyster River Rec Association and Exeter Healthcare Nursing Home…Daughter of Frances Gaffney…Has three siblings, Sarah Wrocklage, Laura Comeau and Alex Comeau…Related to actor Gene Kelly…Management major, business administration minor…Birthdate: 7/19/1995.
Lucey on Comeau: "We were very impressed with Megan the first time we saw her play and were delighted when she chose UT over a number of good D1 options. Megan is a very powerful left sided player who will see action in a number of positions. Megan has excellent speed and a tremendous left foot. Megan works from box to box and will supply a range of quality passes from the left channel. Megan has also been playing at a high level with her Seacoast United team and won the Super Y league national championships down here in Tampa a couple of years ago. Megan has the ability to make others around her better through her intelligent play."
Taylor DeCaire • For. • 5-4 • Tampa, Fla.
• Newsome High School
Club Highlights: Played club soccer for VSI and coach
Randy Belli…State runner-up for five straight
years…Second in regionals while competing in national
league…Was the national league top scorer.
High School: Attended Newsome High School, playing for coaches Randy Belli and Kelly Townsend…Four-time first-team all-Hillsborough county…Led team in points for three seasons…Helped team to state runner-up as a sophomore…Team captain as a junior and senior…Played in State Cup and ECNL.
Personal: Volunteered with Brandon Area Youth Club…Full name is Taylor Elizabeth DeCaire…Daughter of Terry DeCaire and Tonya Lineburger…Has two younger brothers, Ty and TJ…Exercise science major…Birthdate: 9/22/1994.
Lucey on DeCaire: "Taylor is a passionate attacking threat who can play in a central, wide or midfield position. Taylor has excellent speed and offers us a threat in behind the opposition. She also brings in a wealth of high level club experience from both the National league and ECNL with her Brandon VSI Flames club. Taylor is a strong willed individual who should make the adjustment with relative ease to college soccer. Taylor will add to our attacking options in her own individual way. Taylor also had many good D1 offers that she fortunately turned down to play at UT."
Kay Harmon • Def./Mid. • 5-8 • Orlando,
Fla. • East River High School
Club Highlights: Played club soccer for Orlando City and
coach Steven Crane…Helped club to State Cup Final Four in
2011 and 2012 state championship…Also advanced to 2012
regional quarterfinals…Played for Panama U-20 national team
and coach Luis Tejada.
High School: Attended East River High School, where she played for coaches Moons, McHale, Nelson, Naumen, Jesson, Harmon and Childs…Named to the all-metro team…Chosen to play in the Julie Webber (2011) and Hickory Point (2010) soccer tournaments…Also participated in cross country where she was a 2011 and 2012 all-district performer…Set school records in 800 meter dash (2:38.01), 1,600 meters (5:44.82), 5,000 meters (19:57.58), 4x400 relay (4:21.34) and 4x800 relay (10:47.71)…Excelled academically as she was ranked in top-10 for 2013 graduating class.
Personal: Recipient of Presidential Award…Member of National Honor Society and National Technical Honor Society…Volunteered with 5K walk for breast cancer…Also picked up trash in the community, helped coordinate a 5K walk for children in need and assisted with holiday parties for children with special needs…Daughter of Jeff and Maxima Harmon…Has one younger sibling, Ilana…General studies major…Birthdate: 12/3/1994.
Lucey on Harmon: "Kaela has impressed us with her mature displays in a central defensive role for Orlando City ECNL squad. She has an excellent understanding of the game and technically is very sound. Her passing and possession game suits the way we like to play the game. She has just made the Panama U20 National team which will help her growth as an individual and player."
Emily Jones • Def./Mid. • 5-7 • Valrico,
Fla. • Newsome High School
Club Highlights: Played club soccer for VSI Tampa Flames
and coach Randy Belli…State Cup runner-up five
times…Also runner-up at Southern Regional.
High School: Attended Newsome High School, playing got coach Kelly Townsend…Named all-Hillsborough County by the Tampa Tribune.
Personal: Member of AP and honors program…Daughter of Jeff and Linda Jones…Has an older brother, Jake…Father played professional soccer for the Tampa Bay Rowdies…Full name is Emily Morgan Jones…Exercise science major…Birthdate: 7/23/1995.
Lucey on Jones: "Emily is an extremely versatile player who will primarily play in an outside back position. Emily has the athletic ability to get forward quickly and the technical ability to cause the opposition a number of headaches. She is full of energy and will be expected to make an immediate impact as a freshmen. She has played at the highest level for club soccer with her Brandon VSI Flames ECNL team over the past couple of seasons. She has a fantastic attitude and the type of character that will immediately fit into our team. Emily turned down numerous good level D1 offers to attend UT."
Shelby Larson • Def. • 5-10 • Riverview,
Fla. • Riverview High School
Club Highlights: Played for VSI West Florida Flames and
coach Alan Berrios…Captain of club team in 2011 and
2012…Helped club to State Cup sweet 16 and Nike Cup
championship.
High School: Attended Riverview High School, playing for coach Katie Clark…Three-time defensive player of the year (2011-13)…First-team all-county (2011-12)…Played in Strawberry Crest preseason tournament.
Personal: Member of National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America and National Technical Honor Society…Daughter of Rob and Karen Larson…Has two siblings, Kelly and Robyn…Education major…Birthdate: 6/8/1995.
Lucey on Larson: "We are delighted that Shelby chose to play at UT. Shelby is a strong central defender or holding midfielder who is a true team player. She is strong in possession and keeps the game simple. Shelby is an intelligent player who understands the game and should fit in very nicely with our team. Shelby has been coached by Alan Berrios and also has had a number of outings with the ECNL team too."
Chelsea Martin • Mid. • 5-6 • Bradenton,
Fla. • Lakewood Ranch High School
Club Highlights: Played club soccer for VSI Brandon FC and
coach Alan Berrios…Helped club to Florida State Cup Sweet
16…Was third at Florida Premier League and won Nike
Champions Cup.
High School: Attended Lakewood Ranch High School, playing for coaches Guy Virgilio and Jim Wojicki…Captain of varsity team and Manatee County honorable mention…Four-time district champions and 2009 regional champions…Helped team to 2009 final four…Received three MVP awards in one season.
Personal: Named scholar athlete…Volunteered with Lakewood Leaders community events and church involvement...Full name is Chelsea Marie Martin…Daughter of Doug and Donna Martin…Has two older siblings, Chad and Alex…Health sciences major…Birthdate: 8/9/1994.
Lucey on Martin: "Chelsea is a wonderful attacking technical player who will bring a different dimension to our attack. She is very clean with the ball and has an excellent change of pace. Chelsea is creative with the ball and will help vary our attack and bring a stronger possession game to our style of play. We are looking forward to seeing Chelsea fit in here and add to our depth in attack."
Kaley Ward • For. • 5-7 • Saint Cloud,
Fla. • Harmony High School
Club Highlights: Played for FC America club team and coach
Sal Coniglario…First-place as a Disney qualifier in
2012…Also won Disney International Tournament in
2010…Played for West Pines summer team and coach Phil
Brady.
High School: Attended Harmony High School, playing for coach Stephanie Jones…Led team in scoring…Captain for junior and senior season…Named county player of the year and three-time member OBC all-conference team…State tournament semifinalists in 2011…Chosen to play in 2011 and 2012 Disney Showcase, Orange Classic (2009-11), Bethesda Classic (2010-11) and Atlanta Final Four (2011).
Personal: Volunteered with Toys for Tots…Member of National Honor Society and French Honor Society…Recipient of Bright Futures and Dean's scholarships…Participated in Valencia College dual enrollment program…Daughter of John and Elizabeth Ward…Has two older brothers, Tyler and Riley…General studies major…Birthdate: 3/3/1995.
Lucey on Ward: "Kaley has exceptional speed as a central striker and will offer us a threat we've been missing the past few years. Technically Kaley has what it takes to make a very positive impression here and hopefully score a lot of goals. She brings a wonderful attitude to become a better player and impressed us with her off the ball movement too. Our attack has become a lot stronger with Kaley's addition."