Tampa Women’s Soccer Announces Addition of Eight Student-Athletes

TAMPA, Fla. - University of Tampa women's soccer coach Gerry Lucey has accepted a National Letter of Intent (NLI) from eight student-athletes, who will enroll and be eligible for competition in the fall of 2014.

The signees include Madison Cox (Tampa, Fla.), Andrea Delgado (Wellington, Fla.), Miranda Gonzalez (Tampa, Fla.), Jade Hayes (Homestead, Fla.), Naty Olsak (Boca Raton, Fla.), Sarah Raymond (Palm Harbor, Fla.), Sydney Ross (Bradenton, Fla.) and Kimmy Schmutz (Boca Raton, Fla.).

"We are very excited about the 2014 class," says Lucey. "We feel that this class has a good blend of attacking flair and quality defensive traits. This is our first class that is 100 percent from Florida and the reason for that is the talent level was very high. I have no doubt that this class will help us secure our place as one of the top programs in the nation and ensure that we are very competitive this fall. I would imagine that they will come in here this August hungry to prove themselves from day 1 and push for starting spots and quality time. Amongst this group we have a goalkeeper, 4 defenders, a midfielder and two attacking players. However, most players can play multiple positions adding to our versatility. We have also added this spring Caroline Frykgard from Stockholm, Sweden. Caroline is one of the top goal keepers in her age group in Sweden and will give us a much sought after peace of mind after we played the last 16 games of the 2013 season with a central defender in goal. Caroline has good hands, strong knowledge of the game and is a good shot blocker. Her distribution should add to our style of play too. Alan Berrios helped out a great deal with this class and deserves the recognition. He has been very active on the trail of this group and identified the talented group from Boca United."

Following are complete bios on the members of the women's soccer class of 2014.

Madison Cox • 6-0 • Defender • Tampa, Fla. • Cambridge Christian School
Club Highlights: Played club soccer for Tampa Bay United and coach Jim Cote.

High School: Attended Cambridge Christian School, where she played for coach Danilo Felix…Also ran track, setting records in the 100, 200 and 400…Was third in the 200 at state championship meet as a junior.

Personal: Daughter of Bruce and Ruthie Cox…Has an older brother, Austin…General studies major…Birthdate: 10/24/1995.

Lucey on Cox: "Madison is probably the best athlete we've ever had at UTWS. She is extremely fast, very strong in the air and has a good understanding of the tactical side of the game. We expect Madison can play in virtually any position successfully but anticipate that her primary role will be as a central defender and central defensive midfielder. Madison was blessed with offers from many top D1 programs but wanted to stay close to home and felt that UT would offer her the competitive edge she sought. In addition to playing soccer, Madison will also run track at a couple of meets in the spring too. We are very excited to begin working with Madison and helping her fulfill her potential. We spotted Madison playing club soccer with Tampa Bay United a few years ago and have been following her closely since."

Andrea Delgado • 5-7 • Defender/Forward • Wellington, Fla. • Palm Beach Central High School
Club Highlights: Played club soccer for Boca United and Eric Eichmann.

High School: Attended Palm Beach Central High school, where she played for coach Tom Dawkins…Chosen as team captain as senior.

Personal: Daughter of Jose Luis and Jessica Delgado…General studies major…Birthdate: 12/6/1995.

Lucey on Delgado: "Andrea was a late addition to our 2014 signees when we saw her play at Disney this past winter break. A powerful athlete who will play primarily as a defensive central midfielder capable of winning balls in the air and on the ground. Will provide depth also on the outside positions. Versatility was one of the main factors in signing Andrea and she adds a different dimension to our game. Andrea plays with the Boca United club under Chung and Eichmann."

Miranda Gonzalez • 5-5 • Defender • Lutz, Fla. • Steinbrenner High School
Club Highlights: Played club soccer for Tampa Bay United and coach Jim Cote…Club advanced to final four at Disney tournament championships.

High School: Attended Steinbrenner High School, where she played for coach Sue Peet…Two-year team captain…Rookie of the Year…Helped team to state championship…Scored the winning goal in regional final during state championship run…Named first-team all-conference…Played in the Wharton Invitational, Sarasota Invitational and Clearwater Invitational.

Personal: Volunteer with Lutz Ranger Soccer Club…Member of the Principal's Honor Roll…Full name is Miranda Marie Gonzalez…Daughter of Frank and Dana Gonzalez…Has two siblings, Cici and Maresa…Sister, Cici, is also a member of UT women's soccer team…Psychology major…Birthdate: 9/1/1995.

Lucey on Gonzalez: "Miranda is another top quality defender from TBU and also had many top D1 programs after her signature. Once again we are very fortunate in that she wanted to play close to home and with her sister Cici. Miranda has excellent speed, reads the game very well and is a brave defender who will compete immediately for a starting position. She has the traits we've been looking for in pushing this program back into the top 5 in the nation on a regular basis. Both Miranda and Madison have received an excellent background in the game through their club experiences at TBU and playing at a very high level in the National League. Jim Cote and Adrian Bush have been their coaches through the years and have helped tremendously in their development."

Jade Hayes • 5-3 • Forward/Midfield • Homestead, Fla. • South Dade Senior High School
Club Highlights: Played club soccer for Weston FC and coach Marcelo Valdivia…Helped club to State Cup final four, Disney Showcase finals and Weston Cup finals.

High School: Attended South Dade High School, where she played forward and midfield for coach Erin Shelow…Four-year starter and two-time team captain…Set school records for career goals…First-team all-Dade County…Named MVP of high school team…Scholar-athlete…2013 top scorer in Miami-Dade…Helped team to 2013 GMAC championship.

Personal: VIP volunteer who volunteered to help handicapped kids play soccer…Also donated time with Girl Scouts…Won outstanding athlete physical education award and outstanding English award…Full name is Jade Nicole Hayes-Diaz…Daughter of Noe Diaz and Catherine Hayes…Athletic training major, psychology minor…Birthdate: 5/24/1996.

Lucey on Hayes: "Jade is a very creative technical player who is equally adept with using her left and right foot. Jade can play in the attack or midfield. Another very accurate crosser of the ball and brings attacking flair which we enjoy seeing. We fully expect to see Jade adding to our attacking dimension from whichever position she plays. Has good pace to add to her excellent technical skills. Jade is a member of the Weston Soccer Club."

Naty Olsak • 5-4 • Midfielder • Boca Raton, Fla. • West Boca High School
Club Highlights: Played club soccer for Boca United and coaches Eric Eichman, Mark Chung and Jim Rooney…Won Memorial and WAGS tournament…Runner-up for Disney qualifiers on two occasions…Disney Showcase runner-up…Participated in CASL and PDA.

High School: Attended West Boca High School, where she played for coaches Hassan Jaddoui and Ali Devito…Helped team to district championship and regional finals…Set record for most assists as a freshman…Four-year varsity starter…Played in the Wellington Tournament…Ranked in the top-five percent academically.

Personal: Member of National Honor Society and Key Club…Recipient of President's Award as a straight-A student…Daughter of Marcelo and Gaby Olsak…Has an older brother, Nico…Business administration major, sport management minor…Birthdate: 10/4/1995.

Lucey on Olsak: "Naty is a very technical player that originally hails from Argentina and moved to the US when she was around 7. As expected from players from her background, she reads the game extremely well, sees the channels and angles early and is capable of the unexpected to change a game. A true box to box midfielder who will adjust quickly to the level of play at UT and push for a spot in the central midfield. Naty's savvy play will help raise our offensive output and possession style game. A product of the Boca United club and has received top quality coaching from Mark Chung and Eric Eichmann two former US national team and MLS stars. Jimmy Rooney is a former team mate of mine from up in NY and is currently an assistant coach on the U17 US Men's national team. He is an excellent coach and definitely a great life coach too."

Sarah Raymond • 5-8 • Defender • Palm Harbor, Fla. • Palm Harbor University High School
Club Highlights: Played club soccer for West Florida Flames/ECNL and coaches Rhys Lloyd and Sam Mitchell…Three-time Florida State Cup (USYSA) Champions...Florida Cup (US Club) Champions…Third-place at ECNL Nationals/Champions League National Championships at U17, where she notched the game-winning goal...Team Captain at U18...Member of Florida State ODP team and Region III ODP player pool.

High School: Attended Palm Harbor University High School, where she played defense and midfield for coaches John Planamenta and Darryl Southard…Soccer team was two-time county champions, three-time district champions and region champions/state semifinalists during senior year...Served as team captain for both her club and high school teams senior year...Presented with Palm Harbor University Soccer's Captains and Coaches Awards...Multi-sport athlete with 11 varsity letters...Named first team all-county in soccer, track, and cross country; all-state senior year in cross country…MVP-distance in track, team district champions, school record in 4x1600 relay...Three-time cross country MVP, two-time team county champions and individual county champion during senior year…Selected for both the Florida State Senior All-Star Cross Country Challenge and the Brighthouse All-Star Senior Soccer Challenge.

Personal: Recipient of UT's Presidential Scholarship...Member of National Honor Society...High School Athletic Scholar, Dean's List - 4.0 all four years...Volunteered with Suncoast Hospice, Relay For Life, and as an assistant youth soccer coach…Daughter of Michael and Kelly Raymond…Has four siblings: Rachel, Rebecca, Hannah and Mary…Biology major…Birthdate: 3/17/1996.

Lucey on Raymond: "Sarah has been a stalwart on a very successful ECNL team out of Brandon. Sarah has the versatility to play outside back or push higher up into the midfield. Sarah has wonderful stamina and has been a cross country star in her young career too. We fully expect Sarah like all of our incoming NLI signees to compete immediately for a starting position and bring quality depth to our roster. In addition Sarah has starred for the Palm Harbor University HS team that will be playing in this year's State Final 4 again. Sarah has been very well coached by John Planamenta at PHUHS and follows in the footsteps of previous PHUHS players Cina Salemi and Shannon Walisch who have just finished their careers at UT."

Sydney Ross • 5-8 • Goalkeeper • Bradenton, Fla. • Bloomingdale High School
Club Highlights: Played club soccer for Brandon FC/VSI and coach Alan Berrios…Played in the National Premier/FL Premier League…Club advanced to FYSA State Cup elite eight…2013 Nike Cup champions…2012 FYSA State Cup sweet 16.

High School: Attended Bloomingdale High School, where she played for coach Heather Iverson…Two-time team captain…2013 all-county second team…2013 all-Western Conference…Had a goals against average of 0.40.

Personal: Daughter of Jack Ross and Alan and Suzi Berrios…Has three siblings, Christopher Ross, Brianna Berrios and Devin Berrios…Marketing major…Birthdate: 5/3/1995.

Lucey on Ross: "Sydney is an excellent goalkeeper who has the opportunity to establish herself at UT immediately. Sydney brings pure athleticism to her position and is known to be very quick off her line and capable of flying through the air to make the spectacular save. Sydney has played at VSI Brandon for many years under our current assistant coaches Alan Berrios and Ricky Davis. Sydney will push our current keeper Caroline Frykgard hard to win the starting job which is exactly what we want in each position. We are really looking forward to healthy competition in this position which we haven't had enough of in my time at UT."

Kimmy Schmutz • 5-9 • Defender • Boca Raton, Fla. • Saint Andrew's School
Club Highlights: Played club soccer for Boca United Football Club and coach Eric Eichmann…Helped club to Disney Showcase qualifier runner-up performance…Sweet 16 finishers in State Cup.

High School: Attended Saint Andrew's School, where she played defense and midfield for coach Rob Christiansen…Named Sun Sentinel honorable mention as a sophomore and junior…Second-team Sun Sentinel as a junior…Played in CASL, PDA and Disney Showcase.

Personal: Participated in 12th Man Football and Cheer Camp, which teaches kids with disabilities how to player football and cheer…Volunteered with Palm Beach County Special Olympics…Four-time member of the Headmaster's List…Recipient of Presidential Scholarship…Full name is Kimberly Sue Schmutz…Daughter of Jim and Sue Schmutz…Has an older brother, T.J., who plays baseball at Oglethorpe University…Marine biology major…Birthdate: 11/16/1995.

Lucey on Schmutz: "Another outside defender who can also play outside midfield. Kimmy has good pace, a strong engine and plays the style of soccer we expect to see at UT. I'm looking forward to seeing Kimmy bomb up and down the sidelines and help out offensively. She serves a quality ball into the box which will help the likes of Lauren Moore and Cici Gonzalez. Kimmy is also a member of the Boca United club."