Gators Announce 10 Signings

March 6, 2006 - University of Florida head coach Becky Burleigh announced Monday that 10 players will join the Gator soccer program for the 2006 fall season. In addition, two players enrolled at Florida this spring after transferring from another team.

Forward Angela Napolitano is a 2005 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas High School All-America selection. She also was Ohio's 2005 NSCAA/adidas High School Player of the Year. Napolitano has participated in Region II Olympic Development Program (ODP) play since 2003. As a senior for St. Ursula Academy in Cincinnati, Napolitano picked up the Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association (OSSCA) Division I and Cincinnati Enquirer Division I Player of the Year honors.

Florida's class contains several players with considerable Olympic Development Program (ODP) experience. Forward Ashlee Elliott of Corona, Calif., is a three-time selection to the California South ODP Girls State team and was a 2002 regional team member. Elliott scored a goal in the 2005 U.S. Youth Soccer Association's (U.S.Y.S.A.) National U-16 Championship match, which was claimed by her team, the Slammers Futbol Club. Defender Lauren Hyde of Carmel, Ind., is a member of the U-19 Region II team and attended the U-19 Inter-regional Camp in Carson, Calif., in February. Her club team, the Carmel Cyclones, won six consecutive Indiana State Club Championships and has ranked among the nation's top five for the past three years. Anne Rose (pronounced "Annie") is a six-year member of the Michigan State ODP "1987" team. She played center midfielder for the TKO club team that was the 2003 Michigan State runner-up. Tricia Townsend of Naples is a 2005 and '04 "86/87" Region III ODP selection and has been a part of the Florida ODP state team since 2003. She was the starting left midfielder of the fourth-place team at the 2004 ODP National Championships. Townsend also earned 2005 Florida Sports Writers Association (FSWA) Class 5A First Team All-State honors and will graduate in the top three percent from Gulf Coast High School this spring.

Three teammates of Townsend on the Countryside Lightning club team will join the Gators next fall. Caitlin Howard of Tampa has been a Florida ODP "1988" state team selection since 2003. She earned FSWA 5A First Team All-State honors in 2005 and will graduate among the top 10 percent from Sickles High School this spring. Vanessa Rangel of Lutz was selected to the Florida ODP state team in 2001, 2002 and 2004. Rangel is a 2005 and '04 FSWA 4A Second Team All-State selection for Freedom High School. Jessica Eicken of Bradenton is a 2004 and '05 Florida ODP state team selection. As a member of Lakewood Ranch High School's team, Eicken picked up 2005 and '04 FSWA 5A Second Team All-State honors at midfield. She holds her high school's 800-meter and 5,000 (cross country) records.

Jenny Taylor is a 2005 FSWA 6A Second Team All-State selection for Apopka High School. Taylor set the All-Metro Conference and county records for single season goals (61 as a senior) and career (187). The forward led Region III Premier in the 2005 fall season with 12 goals. She will graduate in the top two percent of her class this spring. Katie Fraine is a 2005 FSWA 4A Honorable Mention All-State selection at goalkeeper for Titusville High School. She is a member of the Indiatlantic Force Club team.

Two newcomers to the Florida program enrolled at UF in January after transferring from other collegiate programs. Forward/midfielder Erin Davis of Yardley, Pa., played her freshman season at the University of Texas in the fall of 2005. Davis was a member of the U.S. U-17 and U-16 National Teams in 2002 plus was a 2000 and 2001 national team pool player. She was a 2003 NSCAA/adidas Youth All-America selection who helped guide her ODP squad to three Eastern Pennsylvania State Championships and the 2005 Region I ODP title. She played for the IMG/Bollettieri Soccer Academy and attended the Pendleton School in Bradenton, Fla., from 2003-05. At Texas, Davis appeared in 17 matches and turned in three assists.

Shelley Lyle of Tampa played two seasons for Virginia Commonwealth University before joining the Gator program this spring. The defender/midfielder turned in eight goals and seven assists for 23 points in her VCU career. She was a 2004 Colonial Athletic Association All-Tournament and Soccer America Team of the Week selection after turning in two goals during the course of the weekend, including the game-winner versus William & Mary in the championship match. She also was named to the 2004 CAA All-Rookie team. She attended The Cambridge School in Tampa and played for the Hillsborough County United club team.

"Talent runs throughout this class," UF Head Coach Becky Burleigh said. "These are players that will perform well on the field and in the classroom. I look forward to working with these players this fall."

The Gator soccer team turned in a 13-6-1 record in 2004 and made its ninth NCAA Championship appearance.

2006 University of Florida Newcomers
Name Pos. High School/College Hometown
Erin Davis Forward/Midfield Pendletan H.S./Texas Yardley
Jessica Eicken Midfield Lakewood Ranch H.S. Bradenton Fla.
Ashlee Elliott Forward Norco H.S Corona
Katie Fraine Goalkeeper Titusville H.S Titusville, Fla.
Caitlin Howard Defender Sickles H.S. Tampa, Fla.
Lauren Hyde Defender Bishop Chatard H.S. Carmel Ind.
Shelley Lyle Defender/Midfield The Cambridge School/VCU Tampa Fla.
Angela Napolitano Forward St. Ursula Academy Cincinnati Ohio
Vanessa Rangel Forward Freedom H.S. Lutz, Fla.
Anne Rose Midfield Portage Central H.S. Portage Mich
Jenny Taylor Forward Apopka H.S. Apopka Fla.
Tricia Townsend Midfield Gulf Coast H.S. Naples Fla.


Erin Davis (Transfer) back to roster

Enrolled at the University of Florida in January after playing her freshman season at the University of Texas in 2005…Immediately eligible to play for Florida…In freshman season at Texas, saw action in 17 matches, recording three assists…Member of the U.S. Under-17 (2002) and Under-16 (2002) national teams and was also a 2000 and 2001 national team pool player… Played for the Region I ODP team for six (2000-05) years… Played for the Pennsylvania State ODP team for eight years (1998-2005)… A 2003 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas Youth All-American who helped guide her ODP squads to three Eastern Pennsylvania State Championships and the Region I ODP title during the 2005 campaign…A midfielder/forward for the Langhorne Strikers Soccer Club…Helped the Strikers claim four state titles and reach the regional finals on two occasions…Assisted the Strikers in winning both the Jefferson Cup and the Potomac Tournament in 2002…Helped the Strikers to reach the finals of the 2000 WAGS Tournament…A forward/midfielder at Pennsbury High School for two seasons (2001-03) who led the soccer team in both goals and assists for two years…Led the high school to a district semifinals appearance as a freshman and a 33-13 record during that period… A two-time, first-team All-Suburban One League Patriot and All-Bucks County selection (2002 & 2003) for Pennsbury H.S.…Ran track and holds Pennsbury H.S.'s 400-meter run record…Also named the 2002 Philadelphia Inquirer Rookie of the Year... Attended the IMG/Bollettieri Soccer Academies in Bradenton, Fla., from 2003-05 and graduated from the Pendletan School in 2005.



Jessica Eicken back to roster

2005 and 2004 Florida Sports Writers Association 5A Second Team All-State selection at midfield…2005 and 2004 all-area selection by Bradenton Herald and Sarasota Tribune…member of Lakewood Ranch High School team that won the 2006, 2005 and 2004 district championship…Lakewood Ranch reached the regional final in 2006…2005 Herald-Tribune Player of the Year…2004 Sarasota Herald Tribune All-Area Winter Athlete of the Year…2005 East County Newspaper Athlete of the Year…Captain of Lakewood Ranch H.S. team in 2005 and 2006…Owns Lakewood Ranch's school goal records for career (77), season (31) and match (4)…Florida State Olympic Development Program team member in 2004 and 2005…Midfielder for the Countryside Lightning Club team …U-19 Florida State runner-up in 2005 and coached by Siggi Nagele of Clearwater Chargers…Coached by John Planamenta at Countryside Lightning and Gaetano Virgilio at Lakewood Ranch…Also ran cross country and track & field at Lakewood Ranch H.S., winning 2004 district cross country title…Holds school record for 800-meters and 5,000 (cross country) and part of school-record 4x800 and 4x400 relay teams…National Honor Society and Yearbook Staff Senior Editor…Will graduate from Lakewood Ranch H.S. this spring.



Ashlee Elliott back to roster

Selected to the 2002, 2003 and 2005 California South Olympic Development Program (ODP) Girls State Team selection…2005-2006 Olympic Development Program Winter Pool selection for Girls '88… 2002 ODP Regional Team …Member of Slammers Futbol Club team that claimed 2005 U.S. Youth Soccer Association’s (U.S.Y.S.A.) National U-16 Championships (scored a goal in championship match)…Won 2003 Gothia Youth World Cup Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden with the Slammers…Slammers FC won 2004 U.S. Club Soccer Regional Championship, 2004 California Premier Cup Championship, 2005 Jefferson Cup, 2005 Cal South National State Cup and 2005 Far West Regional Championship…Played three seasons of high school soccer (freshman season at Silverado High, sophomore and junior years at Norco H.S.)…First-team all-league as a sophomore and all-league honorable mention as a freshman…Also member of varsity volleyball and track & field teams…Coached by Ziad Khoury on Slammers FC…Association of Student Body Member…Will graduate from Norco High School in spring of 2006.



Katie Fraine back to roster

2005 Florida Sports Writers Association 4A Honorable Mention All-State selection for Titusville High School…2005 Cape Coast Conference team selection…2005 All-Brevard County selection by the Orlando Sentinel…Titusville H.S. advanced to 2004 and 2005 regional final and claimed district title the same years…Member of Indiatlantic Force Club team since 2004 where she is coached by Mike Potier…Also played for the Titusville Titans Club team from 2001-04 and was part of the teams that were finalists at the 2003 President's Cup and reached the round of 16 at the 2003 state cup…2004 Florida Olympic Development Program (ODP) state pool member…Part of 2004 3V3 Challenge Sports national championship team…2003-04 Outstanding Performance in Goal recipient for Titusville H.S…Most valuable player for 2003 Titusville H.S. volleyball team and 2002 and 2003 softball teams…Member of German and National Junior Honor Societies…Will graduate from Titusville H.S. this spring.



Caitlin Howard back to roster

2005 Florida Sports Writers Association 5A First Team All-State selection…2005 All-Hillsborough County first-team selection…Member of 2005 (5A) high school district championship team - team was district (6A) runner-up in 2006… Sickles High School Most Valuable Player in 2004 and '05 - also named defensive player of the year the same seasons…Four-year varsity starter at Sickles H.S., serving as team captain in 2005 and '06…Member of Countryside Lightning Soccer Club that won 2003 Atlanta Cup, 2001 Orange Classic and 2001 Florida State Club championships…Countryside Lightning has reached the state semifinal in each of the past five seasons…Member of the Florida Olympic Development Program (ODP) State "1988" Team for 2003, 2004 and 2005…Coached by John Planamenta at Countryside Soccer Club and George Arroyo at Sickles H.S.…In top 10% in Sickles High School 2006 class that numbers 501…Honor Roll Student and member of the National Honor Society.



Lauren Hyde back to roster

Member of U-19 Region II team…Invited to attend the February, 2006 U-19 Inter-regional camp in Carson, Calif.…Five-year member of Indiana State Olympic Development Program (ODP) team…Center back for the Carmel Cyclones club team that won six consecutive Indiana State Club Championships and has ranked among the nation's top five for the past three years…Carmel Cyclones claimed 2003 Disney Showcase and was runner-up in 2004…Played forward at Bishop Chatard High School as a sophomore, junior and senior…2005 Indiana Soccer Coaches Association (ISCA) Second team selection and honorable mention in 2004…2004 Indiana Coaches of Girls Sports Association (ICGSA) All-State Second team member... 2003-05 All-City … 2005 All-District 4 First Team selection…Coached by Gene Lindley at the Carmel Cyclones and Ben Beasley at Bishop Chatard H.S.…High school's Most Valuable Player in 2003 and 2005…Owns a 3.8 grade point average, honor roll student and member of the National Honor Society…Will graduate from Bishop Chatard H.S. this spring.



Shelley Lyle (Transfer) back to roster

Enrolled at the University of Florida in January after playing her freshman and sophomore seasons at the Virginia Commonwealth University …Immediately eligible to play for Florida…Named to Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) All-Rookie team in 2004 after starting every match for VCU, posting seven goals and an assist…named to 2004 CAA All-Tournament team and Soccer America Team of the Week after scoring two goals, including the game-winner, in championship win against William & Mary…Turned in eight points (one goal, seven assists) in 2005…A four-time first-team all-conference selection during prep career for The Cambridge School…Led Hillsborough County in scoring as a sophomore… 2004 Florida Sports Writers Association 2A All-State Honorable Mention selection…Played club soccer for Hillsborough County United team that won the SuperClubs regional championship in 2001 and 2002.



Angela Napolitano back to roster

2005 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas High School All-American…2005 NSCAA/adidas Ohio High School Player of the Year…2004 NSCAA/adidas All-Region II selection…Attended Region II adidas Cup and 86/87 Region II Invitational camp in 2005…Participated in 2003 and 2004 Region II camp…Three-time member of Ohio South Olympic Development Program (ODP) State team (2000, 2002, 2004)…Played forward for the Ohio Elite Soccer Academy and coached by Tim Lesiak…Club team advanced to U.S. Club National Tournament and claimed regional team titles in 2003 and 2004…Member of 2004 Ohio South State Cup semi-finalist team…Club team claimed 2004 Buckeye Premier League Elite and Midwest National League championships…2005 Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association (OSSCA) Division I and Cincinnati Enquirer Division I Player of the Year…2005 OSSCA first-team selection and a second-team member in 2004…Cincinnati Enquirer all-city first team selection in 2005 and 2004…2005 and 2004 Girls Greater Cincinnati League's (GGCL) Player of the Year… All-GGCL first-team selection in 2005 and 2004…2005 St. Ursula Academy team captain, leading team in assists and ranking second in scoring…Led team in scoring in 2004…Coached by Danielle Newman at St. Ursula…Four-year honor roll student at St. Ursula…Participated in Student Outreach Service, Hands Across Campus and Girls Athletic Association…Will graduate from St. Ursula Academy this spring.



Vanessa Rangel back to roster

2001, 2002 and 2004 Florida State Olympic Development Program (ODP) selection…Forward for the Countryside Lightning Club team that won the won 2003 Atlanta Cup, 2001 Orange Classic…2005 and 2002 Florida State Cup runner-up with Countryside Lightning…Won state club title in 2000 and 2001 (U-13)…Most Valuable Player of 2001 Orange Classic…2005 and 2004 Florida Sports Writers Association Class 4A second team selection…2005, 2004 and 2003 all-city/county team selection…Leading scorer for Freedom High School as a freshman, sophomore and junior…Named Freedom H.S.'s Most Valuable Player as a freshman, sophomore and junior… Coached by John Planamenta at Countryside Lightning and Sandra Slaouha at Freedom H.S.…Four-year Honor Roll Student at Freedom H.S.…Student Government Vice President, Treasurer of Spanish Honor Society and National Honor Society Member…Will graduate from Freedom High School this spring.



Anne Rose back to roster

Six-year member of Michigan State Olympic Development Program (ODP) "1987" team…Central midfielder for TKO club team that was 2003 Michigan State runner-up…TKO Most Valuable Player and team captain (2003-05)…Coached by Neil Ridgeway and Chris Keenan at TKO…Four year starter at central midfield for Portage Central High School…Portage Central won conference titles in 2003, 2004 and 2005 and claimed 2004 and 2005 district titles… Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Association (MHSSCA) 2005 Division I All-State honorable mention team member… All-region, all-district and All-Southern Michigan Athletic Conference (SMAC) conference selection in 2003, 2004 and 2005…Coached by BJ Snow and Pat Norman at Portage Central…Member of the National Honor Society and Yearbook Editor-in-Chief…Will graduate from Portage Central this spring.



Jenny Taylor back to roster

2005 Florida Sports Writers Association Class 6A All-State second-team selection…2006 Orlando Sentinel Central Florida Player of the Year…Four-year All-Metro Conference selection, earning most valuable player honors in 2006…2006 Christmas Holiday Tournament MVP…Invited to play on the East team for the 2006 Florida Athletic Coaches Association (FACA) All-Star match set for March 10-11…Tied the Orange County single-season goals record with 60 as a senior…2005 and 2006 Orlando Sentinel All-Central Florida first-team selection at forward…Set All-Metro Conference and county records for single season goals (61 as a senior) and career (187)…Coached by Douglas Matthews at Apopka High School…Forward for the IUS Hayasa club team for the past three years…Led Region III Premier in 2005 fall season with 12 goals…Coached by Jim Powell at IUS Hayasa…National Honor Society member…Will graduate in the top two percent of Apopka High School’s class of 2006 this spring.



Tricia Townsend back to roster

2005 and 2004 "86/87" Region III Olympic Development Program (ODP) selection…2003, 2004 and 2005 member of Florida ODP state team…Starting left midfielder of fourth-place team at 2004 ODP National Championships…Part of 2004 and 2005 U-18 Orange Classic championship teams…Member of Countryside Lightning 2003 State Cup semifinalist team…Played club soccer for Florida Premier the last three years and coached by John Steinweg…2005 Florida Sports Writers Association Class 5A All-State first-team selection…Naples Daily News Player of the Year in 2005…2004, 2005 and 2006 All-Southwest Florida first team selection…All-Collier County first team member in 2005 and 2006 and honorable mention in 2004…Gulf Coast High School 2005 most valuable player…Member of 2005 district and 2006 conference championship teams…Coached by Mark Voorhees at Gulf Coast H.S…Holds Gulf Coast H.S.'s 400-meter run record…Volunteer coach for Florida Premier U-14 and U-12 girls teams…Will graduate in the top three percent of Gulf Coast H.S.'s class of 2006 this spring.