Tampa Women’s Soccer Announces New Group Of Signees

TAMPA, Fla. - University of Tampa head women's soccer coach Gerry Lucey has announced the signing of seven student-athletes to National Letters of Intent (NLI). The group will enroll and be eligible to play in the fall of 2011.

Joining UT will be midfielders Carly Keene (Odessa, Fla.), Lauren Moore (Tampa, Fla.) and Gabby Russo (Middleton, Mass.); defenders Ashley Cartlidge (Jacksonville, Fla.) and Candice Shields (Virginia Beach, Va.) and forwards Jenny Karl (New Port Richey, Fla.) and Taryn McClendon (Cave Creek, Ariz.).

"I'm very excited with our 2011 class," says Lucey. We have a very strong returning team group and this class will hopefully provide us with excellent depth in all areas. After an exciting 2010 campaign where we put ourselves back on the national map, we hope we can elevate that experience to the next level. The incoming group raises our level of technical ability and will immediately put pressure on the current squad to improve."

Ashley Cartlidge - Def. - 5-7 - Jacksonville, Fla. - Fletcher High School
Club Highlights: Played for JUFC 92/93 (formerly FCSA KYX 92/93 Blue)…Helped club to 2009 US Club national championship, 2010 Florida State Cup round of 16 and 2009 Florida State Cup quarterfinalist…Competed at Orange Classic, CASL and Disney Showcase Qualifier.
High School: Attended Duncan U. Fletcher High School in Jacksonville, playing for coach Nicole Conrad…Three-year starter from 2008-11…Led team to 2008 and 2009 Gateway Conference championship…Three-time 6A district champions (2009-11)…2010 regional quarterfinalist and regional semifinalist in 2009 and 2011…Second-team all-conference in 2010…Played in CDL, Florida Cup and Stetson 7v7.
Personal: Member of A/B Honor Roll, Sign Language Honor Club and Florida Bright Futures…Volunteered with Special Need Soccer, FCSA Academy as a trainer and with children affected by autism…Daughter of John Cartlidge and Beth Cartlidge…Nursing/pre-med major…Birthdate: 7/20/93.
Lucey on Cartlidge: "A naturally left sided player, Ashley has the ability to play in either the backline or midfield. Ashley has a sweet left foot and is very accurate with her service."

Jenny Karl - For. - 5-2 - New Port Richey, Fla. - River Ridge High School
Club Highlights: Played for HCU and was captain for two years at RSL.
High School: Attended River Ridge High School where she played for coach Skip Glover…44 goals and 18 assists her senior year...River Ridge "Knight of Honor", all-academic award for soccer and softball, Dean's Scholarship.
Personal: Criminal justice major…Daughter of Karen and Matthew Karl…Birthdate 10/6/92.
Lucey on Karl: "Jenny has a knack for scoring goals which has been our achilles heel the past couple of seasons. Jenny adds speed and a great work ethic too. She makes great runs and will work tirelessly for opportunities. I expect Jenny to play up front or in a wide midfield position."

Carly Keene - Mid. - 6-0 - Odessa, Fla. - Steinbrenner High School
Club Highlights: Played club soccer for HCUnited U18 Red where she helped her team as a Disney Qualifier finalist, Adidas Columbus Day champions, and Disney Showcase finalist.
High School: Attended Steinbrenner High School where she played under coach Teresa Patterson…District Champs sophomore to senior year…Defender of the year.
Personal: Daughter of Lisa and Terry Keene…Birthdate: 5/27/93.
Lucey on Keene: "Carly was a very late addition to our 2011 class. Carly has the athletic ability to make an immediate impact here in either a central defender or defensive midfielder position. Carly plays the style of soccer we expect at UT. Carly will help out on our defensive and offensive set pieces too."

Taryn McClendon - For. - 5-8 - Cave Creek, Ariz. - Cactus Shadows High School
Club Highlights: Played for Sereno Soccer Club…Second-place Las Vegas tournament, fourth place state cup tournament.
High School: Attended Cactus Shadows High School where she played for coach Jeff Vitorio…Leading scorer, best offensive player, first-team all-region…Played in 2011 State Cup, high school playoffs and championship.
Personal: Daughter of Donnell and Randi McClendon…Birthdate: 5/12/93.
Lucey on McClendon: "Taryn is an exciting forward with pace and great technical ability. One of the things I've really enjoyed about Taryn is her enthusiasm and drive. Taryn often gets taken down by the opposition but bounces straight up with a smile. Taryn will also be expected to add to our attacking department and hopefully fill the void left by Shelby Kuni."

Lauren Moore - Mid. - 5-9 - Tampa, Fla. - Gaither High School
Club Highlights: Played Club Soccer for Hillsborough County United…State Cup final four in 2010, Disney Qualifier finalist in 2010, Disney Showcase finalist in 2010 and ACDC champion in 2010.
High School: Gaither High School where she played under coach Trevor Scott…38 goals and 19 assists in high school.
Personal: Daughter of Paul Moore…Birthdate 7/30/93.
Lucey on Moore: "Lauren was the very first to commit for this class. I've seen Lauren play for a few years from when she first attended camp about seven years ago. Lauren will be a creative attacking midfielder who has the ability to get into the box and score. A very gifted player technically; I would imagine that she will cause more than a few headaches for the opposition."

Gabby Russo - Mid. - 5-7 - Middleton, Mass. - Masconomet Regional High School
Club Highlights: Played club soccer for the New England Aztecs…Qualified for states.
High School: Attended Masconomet Regional High School where she played for coach Paula Yanakakis…All-state player/Emass all-star, player of the year (MVP of Cal League), Cal all-league player, Boston Globe Player of the Week, Salem News All-Star, Boston Herald All-Scholastic, semifinalist in state tournament in 2010.
Personal: Communications major…Daughter of Marisa and Phil Russo…Birthdate: 6/5/93.
Lucey on Russo: "A speedy technical outside midfielder with the creative mind to unlock opposition defenses. Gabby will be looked towards to be one of our top assist players from an outside midfield position."

Candice Shields - Def. - 5-5 - Virginia Beach, Va. - Ocean Lakes High School
Club Highlights: 2010 US Club Soccer national champion, 2010 VCCL Virginia State Cup finalist.
High School: Attended Ocean Lakes High School where she played for coach Christian Thorton…2010 second-team Eastern Region as a defender, 2010 second-team all-beach as a defender, 2008 second-team all-beach as a forward.
Personal: Forensic science major…Daughter of Damon and Laura Desue…Birthdate: 11/12/92.
Lucey on Shields: "Candice is a very quick and strong player who can fit in along the backline or midfield. She possesses a good understanding of the game and will be expected to push hard for playing time from day one."