Tampa Women’s Soccer Announces Class of 2015 Signees
TAMPA, Fla. - University of Tampa women's soccer coach Gerry Lucey has announced the signing of nine student-athletes to a National Letter of Intent (NLI) for the Class of 2015. They will enroll and be eligible to compete in the fall of 2015.
Among the signees are Rose Amato (Sarasota, Fla.), Johanna Andersson (Malmoe, Sweden), Maya Matouk (Port of Spain, Trinidad), Shae McCarty (Chalfont, Pa.), Jess Moreno (Temecula, Calif.), Madison Munroe (Kenosha, Wis.), Ali Robinson (Magnolia, Texas), Alexa Sheridan (Smithtown, N.Y.) and Heidi Snyder (Lakewood, Calif.).
"We are excited about these young ladies joining our program and the potential they bring," says Lucey. "I firmly believe that they have the ability to be amongst the best classes we've brought here. They bring pace, athleticism, technical ability and add some much needed size to our squad. Added to an already strong group in our returning players we believe that the 2015 roster will help bring us back to the pinnacle in the SSC and region."
Following are complete bios on member of the Class of 2015.
Rose Amato - 5-8 - For. - Sarasota, Fla. - Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School
High School: Attends Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School, where she played for coach Graham Warren… All Area Player of the Week a total of two times…Junior year, was named All Area…Leading Scorer during sophomore and junior year…Four-year varsity player…Florida ODP State participant…Team captain of varsity soccer team as a senior…Played in State Cup, Regions Cup, Region 1 Regional Tournament, Orange Classic and Florida ODP Region 3 Showcase.
Club Highlights: Played club soccer for FC Sarasota and coaches Adam Declerico and Graham Hutton…Was leading scorer for U16 and U18…Played in State Cup Final Four with U16.
Personal: Member of National Honors Society First Honors with 3.96 and 4.01 GPA…Volunteered with Reading Mentors Program, where she tutored students K-3rd grade in reading to improve FCAT scores…Donated time at Girls Inc., tutoring girls in subjects the appeared to be their weakness…Also helped them meet new people outside of school and participated in sports with them…Daughter of Vito and Mary Amato…Has a younger sister, Kristina…Nursing major…Born December 16.
Lucey on Amato: "Rose is a physically strong and powerful central striker or midfielder who will help immediately with our squad depth and should be able to find a niche for herself within the team. I'm delighted that Rose chose UT and we see she has a lot of upside."
Johanna Andersson - 5-8 - Def. - Malmoe, Sweden - ProCivitas Privata Gymnasium
High School: Attended ProCivitas Privata Gymnasium, where she played right-and-left defender, central defender and winger…Played for coaches Daniel Nilsson and Markus Tilly…Was team captain…Helped team to Swedish school championship from 2013-15.
Club Highlights: Played club soccer for LB07 (IF Limhamn Bunkeflo) and coaches Hampus Hannula and Johan Håkansson…Helped club to second place at Gothia Cup in 2013, fourth place at Swedish championship in 2013 and 2014 and first place at G19 Allsvenskan in 2013 and 2014.
Personal: Daughter of Malin Friberg and Håkan Andersson…Has an older sister, Louise…Business major…Born December 13.
Lucey on Andersson: "Johanna is expected to bring some strong soccer IQ to the team and can fill a number of roles across the backing and midfield. She has experience playing at a high level in her native Malmo, Sweden. Johanna is primarily an attacking outside defender who likes to get into the attack quickly. We are excited to add more international experience to the squad in rebuilding towards a brighter future."
Maya Matouk - 5-6 - For. - Port of Spain, Trinidad - IMG Academy
High School: Attends IMG Academy where she plays for coach Matt Paton… Scored eight goals in one game during secondary school league in Trinidad…Scored a total of 42 goals in one season in high school in Trinidad, making it the most goals scored in Trinidad in a single league…Awarded the Victrix Ludorum Trophy in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012…Presented trophies for MVP of the Year 2010, Most Goals U19 in 2010, 2011 and 2013, Most Goals U15 in 2011, 2012, 2013…Named Player of the Year for U15 in 2010 and 2011…Was Player of the Year U19 in 2011, Most Outstanding Player U15 in 2009, 2010 and 2011, Most Outstanding Player U19 in 2009, 2010 and 2011…Received Sports Awards in 2014…Has awards for participation and Most Goals at Club in 2011…Plaque was awarded from Trinidad and Tobago Sport TT for being in the top-five…Named Most Valuable Player at Tournament 2009, Best Defender in 2007, 2008 and 2009, Most Goals at Club in 2009 and 2011, Most Promising at Club in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010, Most Enthusiastic at Club 2007 in 2009, MVP at Club 2007 and 2009…Won Gold Medal for Top Midfielder of All Star Team in 2012…Participated in taekwondo, where she was named Most Promising Player, Best Spirit and Best Fighter…Won Deep Sea Fishing trophies for Best Junior Angler, 1st Place, 2nd Place, 3rd Place, Best Team and Best Boat…Scored goals in the Concacaf Games for country…Also received numerous medals for taekwondo, soccer and deep sea fishing…Active member of the Trinidad and Tobago's U17 Women's Soccer Team…Active member of St. Ann's Rangers FC, Trinidad and played many league games, scoring numerous goals…Played soccer at CONCACAF games for World Cup Qualifiers in Haiti and Jamaica…Scored at both games.
Club Highlights: Played club soccer for St. Anns Rangers FC and coach Jason Spence… Team consisted of women up to the age of 30…Was the youngest on the team for one year…Scored numerous goals and helped club qualify for the Trinidad Pro League.
Personal: Received Caribbean Examination Passes (CSEC), English Language Grade One, English Literature Grade One, Mathematics Grade One, Principles of Accounts Grade One and Principles of Business Grade One Distinction…Purchased and packs monthly food hamper for terminal cancer patient…Volunteered as a gift wrapper for an orphanage yearly…Assisted at soccer club with the young kids…Packed box lunches for the homeless…Organized food can drives for the less fortunate…Shampoo clients for a hair salon for free…Participated in beach clean-ups…Daughter of Michael and Paula Matouk…Has three siblings, Danielle, Dayna and Michael…Sister and cousins have also attended UT…Born March 30.
Lucey on Matouk: "Maya is a central midfielder who is very clever on the ball and extremely technical. She has spent the past year at the IMG Academy receiving a quality education in the game. Maya has represented her native Trinidad and Tobago on a few occasions and we hope that she can bring some of that international experience to UT. We look forward to having Maya on the squad in a few short months."
Shae McCarty - 5-10 - For. - Chalfont, Pa. - Central Bucks High School West
High School: Attends Central Bucks High School West, where she played for coaches Jorge Rodriguez and Chris Shank…Helped team to PIAA State Champions senior year…ALL Intelligencer First Team as a junior and senior), All Suburban One First Team as a junior and senior)…Scored the most goals during sophomore, junior and senior seasons…Selected to play in the Jeff Cup 2014 and 2015 and the Baltimore Mania.
Club Highlights: Played club soccer for Southampton Storm and PA Rush under coach Kevin Babyak.
Personal: Maintained a 4.0 GPA in high school and admitted to UT Honors College on an academic scholarship…Planted in the city for an organization in Philadelphia…Was an assistant coach for little girls for two years…Daughter of John and Janeen McCarty…Has two brothers, Daniel and Owen…Chemistry major…Born June 25.
Lucey on McCarty: "Shae is one of those players who come along every so often with the athletic ability to make a big splash in the SSC. We see Shae as playing centrally up front or anywhere in the midfield. Excited to see what Shae will add to our team attacking wise."
Jess Moreno - 5-5 - Defender - Temecula, Calif. - Temecula High School
High School: Attends Temecula High School, where she plays for coach Jennifer Guinn.
Club Highlights: Played club soccer for Carlsbad Elite under coach Adam Skumawitz…Helped Mexican National Team win the 2013 U17 Women's CONCACAF Tournament.
Personal: Daughter of Arnoldo and Alejandra Moreno…Has two older siblings, Arnoldo and Alejandro…Biology major…Born October 3.
Lucey on Moreno: "Very skillful left footed player who can play as an outside back, outside mid or centrally in the back. Jessica has a tremendous background in the game and is very calm in possession. She has played on one of the top National League teams in the nation and we feel she can add some additional quality to the left side of the field. In addition Jessica has played with the Mexican U17 national team which will benefit us from the beginning."
Madison Munroe - 5-8 - Mid. - Kenosha, Wis. - Tremper High School
High School: Attends Tremper High School, playing for coach Todd Hardy…Helped team to Final Four in state in 2012, Elite Eight in state in 2013…Academic All American all four years of high school…First-team all-conference throughout school…Part of conference championships in 2012 and 2013…Played in Procknow Tournament, Moynihan Tournament, Green Bay Southeast and Wisconsin All State.
Club Highlights: Played club soccer for Red Stars and coach Issy Martinez…Club won Wisconsin State Championship in 2013…Semifinalists in State 2014…MRL region 2 Cup, participants in CASL showcase, participants in Disney Cup and MRL premier.
Personal: Member of honor roll all semesters of high school and a Renaissance Member all four years….Volunteered with St Anne Catholic Church…Made and served food to families in need…Helped at Shalom Center, where she cooked and served to homeless…Ran soccer camps for youth groups, and raised money for breast cancer by walking for a cure…Daughter of Brad and Kristen Munroe…Has a twin sister, Brooke, and a younger brother, Michael…Sisters plays soccer at Eastern Illinois University…Cousin, Chase Munroe, plays semi-pro hockey in Michigan…Criminology major…Born February 18.
Lucey on Munroe: "Madison is a pacy naturally left footed player who can either play wide in midfield or up top. We expect Madison to make an impact her first season at UT. Madison possesses the athletic size too that will help her adjust to the SSC and all it has to offer."
Ali Robinson - 6-0 - Def. - Magnolia, Texas - The John Cooper School
High School: Attends The John Cooper School, playing for coach Amber Clevenger…Named Defensive MVP for All South Zone in SPC.
Club Highlights: Played club soccer for Texas Rush ECNL and coach Andy Squire.
Personal: Named to Honor Roll as freshman and sophomore and High Honor Roll as junior…Volunteered at AAR (Abandoned Animal Rescue) during the summer…Daughter of Gary and Mary Robinson…Has two siblings, Ashley and Kyle…International business major, Spanish minor…Born February 9.
Lucey on Robinson: "Alison is another technically sound player who likes to get forward too out of her central defense or midfield position. Very strong in the air. We expect Alison to make an immediate impact here and establish herself quickly. Another ECNL product that has experience of playing at a very competitive level."
Alexa Sheridan - 5-8 - Mid. - Smithtown, N.Y. - Smithtown High School West
High School: Attends Smithtown High School West, where she plays for coach Rob Schretzmayer… Varsity captain grades 9-12….Team was league champs her freshman, junior, and senior year…Was named an all-conference and all league player…Played in county championship match.
Club Highlights: Played club soccer for South Beach Stingrays United and coach Noah Stiles…Helped club to Region 1 Champions League 1st division.
Personal: Recipient of $15,000 academic scholarship…Principal's highest honor roll in 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grades…Volunteered at New York Blood Center, where she helped run school blood drives and promote the blood centers #bloodforwhat campaign…Member of Smithtown's Leadership class which organized community service projects and special events for people with disabilities…Volunteered with Special Soccer, where she helped children with autism learn to play soccer…Daughter of Patrick and Robin Sheridan…Has two younger siblings, Amanda and Tyler…Business major…Born July 3.
Lucey on Sheridan: "Alexa is a technically sound central midfielder who can also play wide too. She has good vision and plays in the possession style that we like here."
Heidi Snyder - 5-8 - For. - Lakewood, Calif. - Mayfair High School
High School: Attends Mayfair High School, playing for coach Salvador Marroquin…As a freshman, was named rookie of the year and all league second team…As a sophomore, Suburban League first team…As a junior, Suburban League first team, MVP and scholar athlete…Four-year varsity letterwinner was also a team captain.
Club Highlights: Played club soccer for Slammers ECNL under coach Steve Patterson.
Personal: Scholar athlete and four-year honor roll member…Daughter of Nathan and Terri Snyder…Born April 25.
Lucey on Snyder: "A fast outside player with a good engine that primarily will play as a striker in our system and will also find some time as an outside back too. Has played at a good level in the ECNL and should be ready from day 1 to step onto the field."