April 2, 2007

JEFFERSON CITY, TN--Carson-Newman head women's soccer coach Phil McNamara has announced the signing of four players for the 2007 season.

Lydia Wright will join the Lady Eagles next season. Wright currently attends Battle Ground Academy in Franklin, Tennessee. She captained her high school team the past two season, leading them to the state finals her senior year. She captained her travel team to five state championships, two state finals, and her team placed third in the southeast region in 2006.

"Lydia is already a high level player, one that is capable of playing several different positions, including either the defense or midfield," said McNamara. "She is a hard-working athlete that relishes the opportunity to cover and defend the best of opponents. A fantastic knowledge of the game, simple passing, and the ability to keep possession will provide Lydia the foundation to become a talented college player."

Morgan Gruenenfelder will also be part of Lady Eagle soccer in 2007. Gruenenfelder's honors include All- Monroe County in 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006 All-Region in 2005 and 2006, All-State in 2006, and Monroe County Athlete of the Month in December 2006. She was a state finalist with Sweetwater High in 2001, 2002, and 2005 while winning the state championship in 2003. She was also a Disney 3v3 World Tournament finalist in 2005 and 2006.

"Morgan has great individual ability," McNamara said. "She's a very knowledgeable player that can change the outcome of a game with one pass. For a player so gifted, she demonstrates unique unselfish play. Morgan's talent and understanding of the game enables her to play almost any position on the field. Her outstanding field vision, ability to keep possession, and great passing will ensure a successful college career."

Kellie Gustin has also signed on with the Lady Eagles. An Ohio native, Gustin has been named to the All Greater Western Ohio Conference South 1st Team, All Mid Miami Valley 2nd Team, All Area Division 1 Honorable Mention, All Dayton Area 3rd Team, Mid Miami League 2nd Team, and All Conference 1st Team. She led her team and the Miami league in assists.

"Kellie will prove a great talent," said Coach McNamara. "She is blessed with fantastic athletic ability, good height, and great pace. She has good dribbling skills and the ability to make aggressive runs off the ball and quality service into the box. Kellie is an exciting player to watch and will get better while enjoying the challenge of competing at the college level."

Oak Ridge High School standout Brianna Buckley will join Carson-Newman in '07. Buckley was named All-State in 2006 and to the Katie Hunter X All-Tourney Team. Buckley also earned the team's Lady SoccerCat Award, Scholarship Award , Silver Platter Award, and Team Defensive Player of the Year:

"Brianna is simply a great competitor," McNamara said. "She has a fantastic physical presence on the field with a brave tackling mentality. Her outstanding attitude and work ethic on and off the field makes her a team player. The aggressive nature of her game with and without the ball will in itself encourage a successful collegiate career."

Nikki Brannen rounds out the class of 2007. Brannen arrives in Jefferson City from the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga.

"Nikki is a high level competitor. She is a player that will add quality and experience to our program. She has the ability to score goals from all types of positions. Having already enjoyed success at the Division I level with UTC, Nikki is expected to become an impact player in our conference."

McNamara, the 2006 South Atlantic Conference Coach of the Year, looks forward to coaching the class of 2007.

"I'm very excited about this incoming class," McNamara said. "We had to work extremely hard on the recruiting front this year with the graduation of our program's most successful class coming up in May. Today we have signed four excellent additions to our program with the fifth being a January transfer. All of these players come to our program with major talent and ability to be successful at Carson-Newman not only on the soccer field, but in the classroom. All five players will challenge for playing time during their first season."

The Carson-Newman Lady Eagles claimed the 2006 South Atlantic Conference regular season and tournament titles and reached the NCAA Southeast Regional final.