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Grand Canyon University Athletics
Leader welcomes inaugural recruiting class
2/1/2017 1:02:00 PM | Women's Soccer
PHOENIX – Grand Canyon head coach Derek Leader has announced the addition of nine student-athletes to the GCU women's soccer squad. Kaysha Bailey, Camryn Larson, MJ Carrieres, Sandra Hill, Mikaela McGee, Hannah Nichols, Hannah Edwards, Erika Story and Jessica Wong are set to join the program for the 2017-18 school year. Leader also welcomes his first recruiting class since joining the GCU soccer program as its head coach.
"Our staff is thrilled to finally see our first recruiting class arrive." Leader commented. "The nine new players will be a great addition to a team that is already hard at work preparing for next season. We cannot wait for the new players to arrive and get everybody on the field together."
Kaysha Bailey (GK / Lewiston, Idaho / Lewiston HS / Spokane Soccer Club)
Bailey will join the Lopes after completing her senior year at Lewiston High School in Lewiston, Idaho. A four-year varsity starter in high school, Bailey had over 500 saves, 22 shutouts and allowed only 17 goals during her senior campaign. Coached by Jim Kirk (High School) and Briggs Anderson (Club), Bailey accumulated a number of awards, including: 2015-16 and 2016-17 INEL Goalkeeper of the Year and 2015-16 Idaho All-State Selection, and was nominated in 2015-16 and 2016-17 for North Idaho Soccer Player of the Year.
Coach Leader's thoughts:
"Kaysha is an extremely hard-working and athletic player. Her training habits are phenomenal and she is always consistent in the effort she will bring to the team. She will fit in well with our team culture."
Camryn Larson (F / Gilbert, Ariz. / Mesquite HS / Arizona Arsenal Soccer Club)
Larson, an Arizona native, will join Grand Canyon as a forward from Mesquite High School in Gilbert, Arizona. Coached by Danny Gonzalez in high school, the four-year captain recorded 65 goals and 36 assists. During her junior year, Larson's 20 goals and 19 assists landed her the Golden Boot Award, MVP, Arizona First-Teams All-Division, All-Section and All-Region and Section Champions. Coached by Brian Ronan in club, Larson played for the Arizona ArsenalSoccer Club .
Coach Leader's thoughts:
"Camryn is a very quick and agile forward who can play both centrally and wide. She is great at making penetrating runs and is a natural goal scorer. She is very good at dribbling and beating players and is also very dangerous in the air."
MJ Carrieres (D / MF / Gilbert, Ariz./ Seton Catholic HS / Arizona Arsenal Soccer Club)
Carrieres, an Arizona native from Seton Catholic High School, will join the Lopes as a defender and midfielder. Coached by Grant Wagner in high school, Carrieres started all four years, including two years of being named captain and one year of team MVP. For club soccer, MJ was also coached by Arizona Arsenal's Brian Ronan.
Coach Leader's thoughts:
"MJ is a local talent that is very quick both on and off the ball. She is a versatile player that is capable of playing multiple positions. She will bring a fresh, honest approach to training and matches on a daily basis."
Sandra Hill (D / Canberra, Australia / Melrose HS / Tuggeranong United Football Club )
Hill, hailing from Australia, will join GCU's back line. Coached by Rae Dower at Melrose High School and Michael Aldred in club, Hill accumulated several awards, including: House Captain, Long Tann Sports Award, Long Tan Youth Leadership and Teamwork Award and Trish Thomas Sports Star Award.
Coach Leader's thoughts:
"Sandra is both physically tenacious and technically skilled, a rare coupling. She is athletically gifted and composed with the ball at her feet. We are excited to have her on the team and look forward to her strong presence on our back line."
Mikaela McGee (MF/F / Atlantic Beach, Fla. / Fletcher HS / Armada FC Youth Academy)
McGee will join the Lopes as a midfielder and forward from Atlantic Beach, Fla. Coached by Mike Levine at Fletcher High School, McGee was a four-year starter, earning All-Conference accolades for three years, the Golden Boot Award sophomore year, MVP midfielder junior year and was named captain her senior year. Coach by Eric Dade in club, McGee won back-to-back National Championships.
Coach Leader's thoughts:
"Mikaela is a great 1-v-1 player that possesses both skill and power to beat her opponent. She is a Youth National Champion and will be able to provide a lot of leadership for our team due to her experiences. She will provide a strong, agile and technical presence in the attacking third of the field."
Hannah Nichols (MF / Green, Ohio / Green HS / International Soccer Club)
Hannah Nichols will join the Lopes after her senior year at Green High School. Playing only club soccer in high school, Nichols was coached by Zdravko Popovic and Keri Sarver. The midfielder was part of the Super Y National Championship, bringing championship experience to Grand Canyon.
Coach Leader's thoughts:
"Hannah has the ability to play anywhere in central midfield. She will be used as either an attacking or defensive midfielder. She has the potential to create and attack as well as disrupt and destroy. She is a perfect fit for our possession style play and will be a big impact for us."
Hannah Edwards (D/CB / Aurora, Colo. / Cherokee Trail HS / Colorado Storm Soccer Club)
Hannah Edwards will join the Lopes with the ability to play multiple positions out of Cherokee Trail High School. Coached by Jeremy Schaller (high school) and Dave Kunitz (club), Edwards earned multiple athletic accolades as she started all four years. The native from Auraro, Colo., earned 2015 Defensive Player of the Year, 2015 Team MVP, 2015 First Team All-Conference, 2016 All-Conference Academic Team and 2016 Second Team All-Conference.
Coach Leader's thoughts:
"We are very excited to add Hannah to our roster. She has the ability to play both center back and defensive midfield. She will provide great character and leadership to our team. She is good in the air and consistent in her passing abilities when she builds out of the back third of the field."
Erika Story (D / Helsinki, Finland / Pohjois-Haagan yhteiskoulu (PHYK) HS / Malmin Palloseura (MPS) Football Club)
Story will join the GCU after competing at a sports school in Finland called Pohjois-Haagan yhteiskoulu (PHYK) under the leadership of Päivi Lehto. During her time in Finland, Story played rear-back for the U18 Finnish National Championships team and center-back for the Finnish National Team U16. In 2014, she was an All-Star player for Finland and made eight goals as a midfielder form 2012-14. She also played for the Malmin Palloseura (MPS) football club, under the helm of head coach Arpad Mester.
Coach Leader's thoughts:
"Erika will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to GCU. She is a two footed player that has the ability to play anywhere on the defensive back line. We are looking forward to adding her and her leadership qualities to our team. Her passing ability fits well with our style of play."
Jessica Wong (MF / Chandler, Ariz. / Hamilton HS / SanTan Legacy Soccer Club)
Wong will join the Lopes as a midfielder from Hamilton High School in Chandler, Ariz., following her brother, Jake Wong, a baseball player at GCU. Coached by Nathan Fairchild and Eddie Hertenberg, Wong was a four-year varsity starter and two-year team captain at Hamilton. Wong collected many accolades, including: 2014-15 and 2015-16 AIA All-State First and Second teams, 2015-16 AIA All-Division First Team, 2015 Best XI All-Tournament Team and 2014-15 and 2015-16 All Chandler Unified School District Team. She also played for SanTan Legacy under head coach Nicolas Markette.
Coach Leader's thoughts:
"With the ability to play anywhere in the midfield, Jessica will be a welcome addition to our team. Technically proficient, she is a good fit for us and will also bring a working mentality in the middle third of the field."
"Our staff is thrilled to finally see our first recruiting class arrive." Leader commented. "The nine new players will be a great addition to a team that is already hard at work preparing for next season. We cannot wait for the new players to arrive and get everybody on the field together."
Kaysha Bailey (GK / Lewiston, Idaho / Lewiston HS / Spokane Soccer Club)
Bailey will join the Lopes after completing her senior year at Lewiston High School in Lewiston, Idaho. A four-year varsity starter in high school, Bailey had over 500 saves, 22 shutouts and allowed only 17 goals during her senior campaign. Coached by Jim Kirk (High School) and Briggs Anderson (Club), Bailey accumulated a number of awards, including: 2015-16 and 2016-17 INEL Goalkeeper of the Year and 2015-16 Idaho All-State Selection, and was nominated in 2015-16 and 2016-17 for North Idaho Soccer Player of the Year.
Coach Leader's thoughts:
"Kaysha is an extremely hard-working and athletic player. Her training habits are phenomenal and she is always consistent in the effort she will bring to the team. She will fit in well with our team culture."
It's @GCU_WSOC signing day as we kick off festivities with Kaysha Bailey! Welcome to the family! #LopesRising pic.twitter.com/Kw8CkrVHRC
— GCU Women's Soccer (@GCU_WSOC) February 1, 2017
Camryn Larson (F / Gilbert, Ariz. / Mesquite HS / Arizona Arsenal Soccer Club)
Larson, an Arizona native, will join Grand Canyon as a forward from Mesquite High School in Gilbert, Arizona. Coached by Danny Gonzalez in high school, the four-year captain recorded 65 goals and 36 assists. During her junior year, Larson's 20 goals and 19 assists landed her the Golden Boot Award, MVP, Arizona First-Teams All-Division, All-Section and All-Region and Section Champions. Coached by Brian Ronan in club, Larson played for the Arizona ArsenalSoccer Club .
Coach Leader's thoughts:
"Camryn is a very quick and agile forward who can play both centrally and wide. She is great at making penetrating runs and is a natural goal scorer. She is very good at dribbling and beating players and is also very dangerous in the air."
Our final signee hails from Gilbert, Ariz. as we announce the addition of @camrynlarsonn to the GCU family! #LopesRising #GCUNSD pic.twitter.com/mE3M1kAibt
— GCU Women's Soccer (@GCU_WSOC) February 1, 2017
MJ Carrieres (D / MF / Gilbert, Ariz./ Seton Catholic HS / Arizona Arsenal Soccer Club)
Carrieres, an Arizona native from Seton Catholic High School, will join the Lopes as a defender and midfielder. Coached by Grant Wagner in high school, Carrieres started all four years, including two years of being named captain and one year of team MVP. For club soccer, MJ was also coached by Arizona Arsenal's Brian Ronan.
Coach Leader's thoughts:
"MJ is a local talent that is very quick both on and off the ball. She is a versatile player that is capable of playing multiple positions. She will bring a fresh, honest approach to training and matches on a daily basis."
The Lopes welcome @mj_carrieres10 to the family! #LopesRising #GCUNSD pic.twitter.com/PQkKyEfAAF
— GCU Women's Soccer (@GCU_WSOC) February 1, 2017
Sandra Hill (D / Canberra, Australia / Melrose HS / Tuggeranong United Football Club )
Hill, hailing from Australia, will join GCU's back line. Coached by Rae Dower at Melrose High School and Michael Aldred in club, Hill accumulated several awards, including: House Captain, Long Tann Sports Award, Long Tan Youth Leadership and Teamwork Award and Trish Thomas Sports Star Award.
Coach Leader's thoughts:
"Sandra is both physically tenacious and technically skilled, a rare coupling. She is athletically gifted and composed with the ball at her feet. We are excited to have her on the team and look forward to her strong presence on our back line."
As #GCUNSD rolls on, GCU welcomes international talent Sandra Hill to the squad. #LopesRising pic.twitter.com/ttaD29tmTq
— GCU Women's Soccer (@GCU_WSOC) February 1, 2017
Mikaela McGee (MF/F / Atlantic Beach, Fla. / Fletcher HS / Armada FC Youth Academy)
McGee will join the Lopes as a midfielder and forward from Atlantic Beach, Fla. Coached by Mike Levine at Fletcher High School, McGee was a four-year starter, earning All-Conference accolades for three years, the Golden Boot Award sophomore year, MVP midfielder junior year and was named captain her senior year. Coach by Eric Dade in club, McGee won back-to-back National Championships.
Coach Leader's thoughts:
"Mikaela is a great 1-v-1 player that possesses both skill and power to beat her opponent. She is a Youth National Champion and will be able to provide a lot of leadership for our team due to her experiences. She will provide a strong, agile and technical presence in the attacking third of the field."
We are proud to announce the addition of @mikaelamcgee5 to the program. Welcome to the Lopes family! #LopesRising #GCUNSD pic.twitter.com/y90YTxr09l
— GCU Women's Soccer (@GCU_WSOC) February 1, 2017
Hannah Nichols (MF / Green, Ohio / Green HS / International Soccer Club)
Hannah Nichols will join the Lopes after her senior year at Green High School. Playing only club soccer in high school, Nichols was coached by Zdravko Popovic and Keri Sarver. The midfielder was part of the Super Y National Championship, bringing championship experience to Grand Canyon.
Coach Leader's thoughts:
"Hannah has the ability to play anywhere in central midfield. She will be used as either an attacking or defensive midfielder. She has the potential to create and attack as well as disrupt and destroy. She is a perfect fit for our possession style play and will be a big impact for us."
Next up, we welcome Hannah Nichols to the @GCU_WSOC family! #LopesRising pic.twitter.com/jgHBKGJACf
— GCU Women's Soccer (@GCU_WSOC) February 1, 2017
Hannah Edwards (D/CB / Aurora, Colo. / Cherokee Trail HS / Colorado Storm Soccer Club)
Hannah Edwards will join the Lopes with the ability to play multiple positions out of Cherokee Trail High School. Coached by Jeremy Schaller (high school) and Dave Kunitz (club), Edwards earned multiple athletic accolades as she started all four years. The native from Auraro, Colo., earned 2015 Defensive Player of the Year, 2015 Team MVP, 2015 First Team All-Conference, 2016 All-Conference Academic Team and 2016 Second Team All-Conference.
Coach Leader's thoughts:
"We are very excited to add Hannah to our roster. She has the ability to play both center back and defensive midfield. She will provide great character and leadership to our team. She is good in the air and consistent in her passing abilities when she builds out of the back third of the field."
The Lopes are excited to announce the addition of Hannah Edwards to the GCU family! #LopesRising #GCUNSD pic.twitter.com/FOElFrDvru
— GCU Women's Soccer (@GCU_WSOC) February 1, 2017
Erika Story (D / Helsinki, Finland / Pohjois-Haagan yhteiskoulu (PHYK) HS / Malmin Palloseura (MPS) Football Club)
Story will join the GCU after competing at a sports school in Finland called Pohjois-Haagan yhteiskoulu (PHYK) under the leadership of Päivi Lehto. During her time in Finland, Story played rear-back for the U18 Finnish National Championships team and center-back for the Finnish National Team U16. In 2014, she was an All-Star player for Finland and made eight goals as a midfielder form 2012-14. She also played for the Malmin Palloseura (MPS) football club, under the helm of head coach Arpad Mester.
Coach Leader's thoughts:
"Erika will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to GCU. She is a two footed player that has the ability to play anywhere on the defensive back line. We are looking forward to adding her and her leadership qualities to our team. Her passing ability fits well with our style of play."
GCU is proud to welcome the first international signee of the day Erika Story. Welcome to the family! #LopesRising #GCUNSD pic.twitter.com/9UiMdfSRXL
— GCU Women's Soccer (@GCU_WSOC) February 1, 2017
Jessica Wong (MF / Chandler, Ariz. / Hamilton HS / SanTan Legacy Soccer Club)
Wong will join the Lopes as a midfielder from Hamilton High School in Chandler, Ariz., following her brother, Jake Wong, a baseball player at GCU. Coached by Nathan Fairchild and Eddie Hertenberg, Wong was a four-year varsity starter and two-year team captain at Hamilton. Wong collected many accolades, including: 2014-15 and 2015-16 AIA All-State First and Second teams, 2015-16 AIA All-Division First Team, 2015 Best XI All-Tournament Team and 2014-15 and 2015-16 All Chandler Unified School District Team. She also played for SanTan Legacy under head coach Nicolas Markette.
Coach Leader's thoughts:
"With the ability to play anywhere in the midfield, Jessica will be a welcome addition to our team. Technically proficient, she is a good fit for us and will also bring a working mentality in the middle third of the field."
Next up, we have Phoenix native @jess2wong who joins the Lopes for her freshman season. Welcome to the family! #LopesRising #GCUNSD pic.twitter.com/r3nflHH1Qx
— GCU Women's Soccer (@GCU_WSOC) February 1, 2017
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