April 5, 2016
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Head Coach Darren Ambrose and the Vanderbilt women’s soccer team are pleased to announce that nine student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to compete for the Commodores. Spanning coast to coast, the 2016 signing class hails from seven states and is ranked one of the top-20 recruiting classes in the country.
“I am excited for this group of young women to arrive in Nashville this summer,” said head coach Darren Ambrose. “They are a talented group and great ambassadors for Vanderbilt and our program moving forwards.”
Ambrose and his staff searched for and found a class entirely comprised of team captains and honor roll students, who strive to serve as leaders on the field as well as in the classroom.
The Vanderbilt soccer team comes off a 9-8 (4-4) season, and its first SEC tournament appearance in five years, advancing to quarterfinal play. This spring, the team has been hard at work practicing and scrimmaging several in-state schools in preparation for next season with a 0-0 tie v Murray State and a 2-0 win over MTSU.
2016 Signing Class
Began playing soccer at the age of four… played club for Troy Garner at Tophat SC… came to Vanderbilt because, “I fell in love with the school and had faith in the soccer program to succeed.”… Father played basketball for Wake Forest and brother, Cameron, plays basketball at Lee University… enjoys drawing, painting and sculpting…. chose Vanderbilt over Stetson, Kentucky and Georgia.
Coach Ambrose on Kaylann: “Kaylann has the physical tools to compete in the SEC immediately. In addition to her physical presence up top, she has good ideas with the ball and has a nose for goal. She is a product of the very successful Tophat club, under the guidance of Troy Garner and Ted Colburn.”
Began playing soccer at the age of four… played club for Caleb Fortune at Ambassadors FC… chose Vanderbilt because, “The academic challenges combines with the opportunity to play soccer for a growing program was impossible to pass up. Vanderbilt provides me a chance to play in the SEC under a great coaching staff, with a drive to succeed.”… Older brothers, Matt and Jeff, played college soccer… chose Vanderbilt over Georgetown and the University of Pennsylvania.
Coach Ambrose on Lauren: “I have known Lauren for some time and think she has potential to become a great GK in our program. She is athletic and has a commanding presence in the 18 yard box.”
Began playing soccer at the age of four… played club for Harry Canellakis and Shannon Cirovski at Maryland United FC… chose Vanderbilt because, “It was an incredibly welcoming and beautiful campus, while also having top-notch academics… Father played football at Howard University, sisters Imani plays soccer for Duke… chose Vanderbilt over Boston University and William & Mary.
Coach Ambrose on Nia: “Nia will be an asset to our front line this fall. She has a good physical presence, is comfortable on the ball and sees the game very well in the final third.”
Began playing soccer at the age of four… played club for Shahaab Langroudi at New York Soccer Club… came to Vanderbilt because, “Vanderbilt offers high caliber academics, advanced research opportunities and competitive athletics.”… Father played soccer and hockey at New York Institute of Technology, mother played Volleyball at Iona College… loves to draw, hike, scrapbook, decorate and going to concerts… chose Vanderbilt over Harvard, Elon, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Lehigh, Carnegie Mellon, Columbia, and Providence College.
Coach Ambrose on Hannon: “Hannon’s pace and power will allow to her compete right out of the gate this fall. She is a competitor in every aspect of the game and will compete early on to get into the lineup. She has a strikers’ instincts in front of goal.”
Began playing soccer at the age of four… played club for Troy Garner at Tophat SC, ECNL… came to Vanderbilt because, “There is no place like it, and I like the school and athletic program.”… Father, Hardie Jackson, played baseball for the Commodores… enjoys baking, kickboxing, running and giving soccer lessons… chose Vanderbilt over Georgia, Kentucky, Texas Tech, South Carolina and Clemson.
Coach Ambrose on Grace: “Grace is a fun player to watch and arguable one of the best central midfielders in the state of Georgia. She can play pretty much anywhere in midfield and will have an immediate impact this fall. She is fantastic in possession of the ball and has the vision to create opportunities for her team as she moves into the attacking areas of the game. She is another product of the very successful Tophat club, under the guidance of Troy Garner and Ted Colburn.”
Began playing soccer at the age of four… enjoys snowboarding with her family… played club for Adil Salmoni and Doug Landefeld at Michigan Hawks ENCL… came to Vanderbilt because, “Vanderbilt has everything I’m looking for in a school… … one of the best academic schools, great city and an awesome coaching staff and team”.
Coach Ambrose on Sydney: “Syd is a classic blue collar, hard working midfielder. She can run all day and has a terrific work ethic. Her distribution is outstanding and she will help bring needed depth to our midfield contingent in our program. She comes from one of the best women’s clubs in the country in the Michigan Hawks and coach Doug Landefeld.”
Began playing soccer at the age of four… played club for Troy garner at Tophat SC… came to Vanderbilt because, “I liked the team more than any other school I had been to, I loved the town and could get a great education.”… loves water sports; skiing, wake boarding, wake skating and tubing… chose Vanderbilt over South Carolina, Virginia Tech, Texas Tech, Pittsburgh and Wake Forest.
Coach Ambrose on Caroline: “Caroline reads the game from the center back position extremely well for a young player. Her tactical awareness and composure on the ball are terrific qualities to have. She is another product of the very successful Tophat club, under the guidance of Troy Garner and Ted Colburn.”
Began playing soccer at the age of four… played club for Shawn Kuroda with Surf Hawaii… came to Vanderbilt because, “Nashville is truly amazing… Coming from Hawaii it was perfect, because it wasn’t too small or too big of an area. Vanderbilt’s facilities are the best, and I knew I would get the best education/experience.”… loves to go to the beach and night swimming… full name is Taiana Ku’uipo Kamalalani Tolleson… chose Vanderbilt over Oral Roberts and Eastern Florida.
Coach Ambrose on Taiana: “Taiana is a natural athlete with a wonderful personality to match. As a multi sport athlete, as she refines some technical aspects of the position, she could grow into a formidable keeper in our program.”
Began playing soccer at the age of six…played club for Rory Dames at Eclipse Select Soccer Club… came to Vanderbilt because, “I love the city of Nashville, and I wanted to be close to my sister.”…father, Tom, played football for Boston College and the Chicago Bears, grandfather, Gino, played pro football for the Patriots… Sisters played soccer for Northwestern and Vanderbilt… has spend the past two years working with students with special needs… chose Vanderbilt over Northwestern, Santa Clara and Boston College.
Coach Ambrose on Lea: “Lea is a box to box midfield player. She has a terrific ability to arrive in the 18 yard box on attacking runs from deep positions and has the engine to recover to help defend. Her passing is sharp and as she matures, we expect her to take an important role in our midfield. She has played at the highest level under the guidance of Rory Dames at the Eclipse Soccer Club.”