April 6, 2017
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt head soccer coach Darren Ambrose and his staff are excited to announce the signing of three student-athletes to the class of 2017; Kayla Eason, Becky Rossett and Olivia Simmons.
“This class has the ability to impact this program right out of the gate,” Ambrose said on Signing Day in February. “They are an athletic group that covers all positions of the field and have a competitive mindset that will move our program forward. It’s rewarding to see this group come together after recruiting this class almost two years ago when we first arrived on campus. I can’t wait for them to arrive in Nashville later this year.”
2017 Signees
Began playing soccer at the age of five … played for Key Reid at Heat FC … describes style of play as technical, smart and athletic … came to Vanderbilt because, “I like the caliber of school that Vanderbilt is, as well as the challenge that playing in a conference like the SEC will give me and allow me to keep growing as a player.” … enjoys watching cooking shows and was second cousins with the late Rick James… Mom, Dorcus, ran track at Cal State Long Beach and sister, Kasaundra, plays soccer at the University of Dallas … chose Vanderbilt over New Mexico and Iowa State … plans to major in biology.
Coach Ambrose on Kaya: “Kayla is a terrific athlete who can play either at center back or in holding midfield. She is one of the best headers of a ball I have seen in quite some time. She also has great feet and composure. She completes a very high percentage of her passes, which is something we value coming out of the backfield. Over the past year or so she has taken a more vocal role in her team’s defensive organization and that is something we expect from her wearing black and gold as she settles into our program. Her Heat club team competes week-in and week-out against some of the best teams in the country on the west coast, which has allowed her to defend some of the best athletes moving into the college game. She has the potential to step into a big role early in her career. “
Began playing soccer at the age of five … played for John Greaves at Yardley Makefield … describes style of play as technical, smart and athletic … scored more than 100 goals in high school … top-five leading scorers in the state of New Jersey … 2016 Colonial Conference Player of the Year … came to Vanderbilt because of its “amazing academics, athletics and coaching staff” … enjoys hiking … chose Vanderbilt over Monmouth, La Salle, William and Mary and Northeastern … high school class officer and graduating top-10 in class.
Coach Ambrose on Becky: “Becky is a fighter. I love her tenacity, toughness and passion for the game. She has a tremendous goal-scorer’s instinct and can score goals in a variety of ways. She watches the game regularly, which explains some of the things she does on the field. She also has learned from a great coach in John Greaves whom I have known for many, many years and who came from my own club of Sheffield United in England. Her YMS team won a national championship and has competed for championship almost every year over the past four years. She has been a part of a team that finds ways to win, which will help her be successful in our program.”
Began playing soccer at the age of five … played for Sam Mitchell at Orlando Youth City Soccer Club … describes style of play as fast, strong and physical … came to Vanderbilt because, “the coaching staff really made the school feel comfortable and I feel like Vanderbilt is back on track to possibly becoming one of the top soccer schools in the SEC. Also Vanderbilt has a really great education and graduating from Vanderbilt will help me in my career” … sister Kaira runs track at Ole Miss … chose Vandy over LSU, Tennessee, NC State, Arkansas, UCF and FGCU.
Coach Ambrose on Olivia: “Olivia is another tough, hard-tackling, athletic defender. I love her playing personality. She has played as a center back, but also more as an outside back. It is in this role where I think she can be most effective. She has the speed and engine to get up and down the line and she has the tenacity to shut down whoever she plays against. Olivia hasn’t seen a tackle she doesn’t like and this attitude is something I am excited to see in our practices this fall. She also has a very, very noticeable long throw that we feel will be a valuable attacking threat. She has had great preparation for Vanderbilt coming through the Orlando City youth program and over her time, she could become a force to be reckoned with in our backline.”