Feb. 13, 2017
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Head Coach Darren Ambrose and the Vanderbilt women’s soccer team are pleased to announce that eight student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to compete for the Commodores. Spanning coast-to-coast, the 2017 signing class hails from eight states and boasts four club soccer national champions.
“This class has the ability to impact this program right out of the gate,” said head coach Darren Ambrose. “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.”
The Vanderbilt soccer team is coming off a 9-9-1 (5-5-1) season, and its second-straight trip to the SEC tournament. The ‘Dores went on a four-game Southeastern Conference winning streak which catapulted the squad to its best SEC finish in a decade at sixth-place. This spring, the team has five exhibitions on the books.
2017 Signing Class
Began playing soccer at the age of four… played club for Eric Dade at Jacksonville Armada FC… came to Vanderbilt because, “I love the city and the school, as well as the level of intensity in both the academic and soccer programs.”… most goals scored in 2015 USYS National Championships… 2016 ENCL most assists… National Honor Society… chose Vanderbilt over Florida State, Florida, and Northwestern… plays the ukulele and hopes to major in Neuroscience.
Coach Ambrose on Leila: “Leila is one of the most technically gifted players in the class. She also competes with every ounce of her body whenever she plays the game. She has tremendous instincts and a high level of understanding of the game. With her tactical understanding, Leila is equipped to play in several attacking and defending positions. I love her intensity and competitive nature. Her Jacksonville FC team has annually been one of the strongest in the country in the age group.
Began playing soccer at the age of six… played club for John Greaves at YMS Xplosion… chose Vanderbilt over Maryland, Indiana, James Madison, Seton Hall, Stony Brook and La Salle for its staff, location and opportunity… member of the honor roll and two-time captain… USYA U-17 National Champion… Pennsylvania State Champion… three-time first team all-state… four-time all-league… most goals in a season (27 goals).
Coach Ambrose on Maddie: ” I think Maddie is one of the most under rated players on the east coast. Having known her for several years from my time in the Philadelphia area, I was extremely happy she decided to be a Commodore. She has had great training from John Greaves whom I have known for many many years and who came from my own club of Sheffield United in England. She knows what it takes to win and was part of the YMS National Championship winning team last summer. She has tremendous pace and serves a left footed ball as well as anyone I have ever seen at the club level. She has the ability to get up and down the flank on the left side and with the edge she brings to the game, will compete early in her time in our program.”
Currently enrolled at Vanderbilt… started playing soccer at the age of four… 2015 NSCAA All-American… USYS National Champion Girls Best XI… two-time Tennessee State Champion… chose to attend Vanderbilt over Alabama, Ole Miss, and Tennessee… describes her style of play as smooth and fast… led her club team, Lobos Rush, as team captain for three consecutive years… club leading scorer from 2014-16… considering majoring in political science.
Coach Ambrose on Paola: “We are thrilled that Paola will join us here at Vanderbilt,” said Ambrose. “She will be immersed in our culture and get to know campus and our team while preparing for a great career beginning in the fall. She is a player with tremendous flair and creativity and with her quickness, will provide a spark in our attacking play.
Began playing soccer at the age of five… played at goal keeper for Hugh Bradford at D’Feeters ECNL… came to Vanderbilt because, “I love the atmosphere that the city and school has. I’m going to be able to challenge myself in the classroom and on the field.” … loves to draw… chose Vanderbilt over Dallas Baptist University and University of Texas El Paso… plans to major in engineering.
Coach Ambrose on Sarah: “When it came to our goalkeeping, we knew we wanted a player with a big presence and that’s what Sarah brings to the position. She has a tremendous range and can serve a ball over significant distance. She dominates anything served in and around her in the air. Her work ethic and desire to constantly improve will allow her to emerge as a top goalkeeper in the SEC under GK coach Kelly Keelan’s care. Her stellar career with the D’Feeters club out of Dallas has given her a foundation for success at Vanderbilt.”
Began playing soccer at the age of five… played club for Scot Shewey at Sunrise Sting … came to Vanderbilt because, “Vanderbilt is not only a prestigious academic school, but also contains a progressing athletic community and program… it’s a win-win.”… Mom, Marissa, played soccer at Boston University… Father, Roger, played football for Boston University and Villanova… Chose VU over six SEC schools… two-time Florida State Champion… 2016 U17 Jamaican National Team… five-time club team captain.
Coach Ambrose on Madiya: “Madiya brings a tenacity and athleticism into our program. As we continue to raise the bar and our expectations, her attitude and work rate align well with the values we have and will help us reach those expectations. She has had great preparation for a college career at this level with the Sunrise Soccer Club in south Florida. Madiya can compete immediately as a dynamic flank player in either the front line or as an outside back. She is very, very quick and we feel her relentless work rate and her toughness will earn her a role early in her career.”
Began playing soccer at the age of four… played club for Walid and Ziad Khoury at Slammers FC ENCL… came to Vanderbilt for its great academics, current players and coaches and to compete in the SEC… loves going to the beach and hiking… father, David, played baseball for Virginia and in the Texas Rangers organization… chose Vanderbilt over Washington.
Coach Ambrose on Haley: “Hayley is a very dynamic, athletic forward. She is a natural goal scorer, but will also play on both sides of the ball. She has an incredibly competitive attitude in everything she does, which was nurtured by her Slammers club team, which is among one of the most competitive clubs in the country. That environment has prepared her well for a great career as a Commodore. We could not be happier knowing Hayley will have an expansive role in our front line for four years. She has incredible potential and I am looking forward to watching her develop into a forward to watch in the SEC.”
Began playing soccer at the age of six… played club for Jim Abt at Braddock Road Youth Club… came to Vanderbilt because, “Vanderbilt was the perfect school for me. I wanted a school with great academics and athletics.”… Chose the Commodores over Virginia and Virginia Tech… U18 National Team pool… Describes style of play as passionately, driven and hard-working.
Coach Ambrose on Myra: “Myra is another dynamic, very athletic player in the class. While she has played in wide attacking and defending positions, she is also capable of playing in an attacking role in midfield. Her ability on the ball coupled with her athleticism allows her to fill most roles. Her experience with the US U18 National Team this past year was a great pre cursor to her career as a Commodore. She has been developed well as a soccer player under Larry Best at BRYC in Virginia.”
Began playing soccer at the age of four… played club for YoYo Zavala at West Florida Flames… came to Vanderbilt because, “Vanderbilt has everything I could want or need as a student-athlete. It’s one of the top academic institutions in the country, one of the top conferences in soccer and surrounded by a city of music.”… Chose Vanderbilt over South Carolina and Texas A&M… five-time club team captain… two-time class president… plans to major in engineering.
Coach Ambrose on Mikala: “Mikala is a tough, vocal, defensive presence for the West Florida Flames. She has great ability in the air and is very composed on the ball. What really caught our eye in recruiting her though was her toughness and determination to win. She fits well into the mindset we are cultivating in our program. She can play at center back or at holding midfield and her destructive abilities will be noticeable at either position.”
