Women's Soccer Announces 2007 Recruits
3/9/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
March 9, 2007
WASHINGTON, DC - The George Washington University women's soccer team has signed four student-athletes to National Letters of Intent for the 2007 season, and has received a commitment from another high school senior, Head Coach Tanya Vogel announced on Friday.
Joining the Colonials in 2007 is forward/midfielder Ashleigh Barkley (Phoenix, AZ/Xavier College Preparatory), midfielder Michelle Aueron (Watchung, NJ/The Pingry School), midfielder Cynthia Gamboa (Reisterstown, MD/Notre Dame Preparatory), defender Jillian Morgan (Pottstown, PA/Owen J. Roberts High School) and midfielder/defender Kristen Slack (Northville, MI/Northville High School).
Vogel is looking forward to the impact that these five incoming freshmen will have on the 2007 club. "The addition of these players will help bolster a strong returning core of 21 student-athletes," she said.
After starting the season with their best non-conference mark in school history at 7-3-0, the Colonials finished 2006 with a 9-10-0 overall record. Their nine wins were the most since the 2003 campaign.
PLAYER PROFILES:
Ashleigh Barkley
Position: Forward/Midfielder
Hometown: Phoenix, AZ
High school: Xavier College Preparatory
Club Team: Southbank Ladybugs
Coach Vogel's Scouting Report: "An athletic gem, Barkley will add speed to our front line and flank midfield position. As a member of a strong Arizona ODP pool, she has played at the highest level of youth soccer and will compete immediately for a starting spot. Ashleigh will be looked to produce goal-scoring opportunities from the minute she arrives on campus. Her club team has won two state cup championships and they were finalists at the US Club Soccer Cup IV. We look for her to continue her winning ways as a Colonial."
Barkley on George Washington: "The moment I saw GW I knew that it was the place that I wanted to attend college. I loved the urban setting in DC, the friendly people, and the great soccer team. The university has one of the finest international affairs schools in the country. It is a place where I can reach my goals as an athlete and a student."
Barkley's Resume: Off the field, Barkley is an Honor Roll student, has been awarded the Scholar-Athlete Award and intends to major in International Affairs in GW's prestigious Elliott School.
Michelle Aueron
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Watchung, NJ
High School: The Pingry School
Club Team: Parsippany Gazelles
Coach Vogel's Scouting Report: "Michelle is a student of the game and will complement the already strong tactical sense in our midfield. She is known for her technical skills and decision-making and will compete for a spot in the midfield. Her versatility, however, is what will make her successful as a freshman. A tremendous team player, Michelle will fit in well with our current team."
Aueron on George Washington: "I picked GW for the great academics and classroom opportunities, the soccer team, the urban setting and to join my sister here at Foggy Bottom."
Aueron's Resume: At Pingry, Michelle was named First Team All-Conference, First Team All-Somerset County and First Team All-State. Additionally, she was named to the GSCA All State-North 2 state team and was awarded the Star Ledger Somerset County's Most Versatile Player.
Cynthia Gamboa
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Reisterstown, MD
High School: Notre Dame Preparatory
Club Team: Parkville Soccer Club, SAC United Academic
Coach Vogel's Scouting Report: "We are so excited to have Cynthia joining our program this fall. She has been well coached and has played with several of our current GW players, which should assist with her transition to the college game. She is athletic, competitive and has a solid tactical understanding of the game."
Gamboa's Resume: While at Notre Dame Prep, she was instrumental in helping them win their first IAAM Championship and was recognized as a Conference All-Star both her junior and senior seasons, while servicing as team captain her final year.
Jillian Morgan
Position: Defender
Hometown: Pottstown, PA
High School: Owen J. Roberts High School
Club Team: Vincent United Wildcats
Coach Vogel's Scouting Report: "We are looking for Jillian to compete for a starting role immediately. With her strength, ball winning capabilities and decision making skills, she should find herself in the back or defensive midfield spot from the start."
Morgan on George Washington: "I chose GW because of the opportunities that exist academically inside and outside the classroom and because of the chemistry on the Women's Soccer team."
Morgan's Resume: A captain of her ODP, club and high school programs, Morgan has served as a leader on three very successful teams. With Vincent, she won a State Cup Championship and was a Region I finalist and a three-time State Cup finalist. Her high school team won a State title and they were State runner-ups twice. Jillian was an NSCAA Scholar All-American and Regional All-American in her senior year. She was named Conference MVP, All-Conference, Philadelphia Inquirer Player of the Year and Pottstown Mercury Player of the Year. Additionally, she was a member of the EPA ODP State team for five years, serving as captain for two of those seasons. During her time with the EPA state team, they won a Region I Championship.
Kristen Slack
Position: Midfielder/Defender
Hometown: Northville, MI
High School: Northville High School
Club Team: Michigan Hawks
Coach Vogel's Scouting Report: "Kristen is very composed on the ball and distributes well. We are looking for her to contribute as a freshman, primarily in the midfield; however, Kristen may find time in the back. She brings an enormous amount of high-level experience to GW. She has played on one of the premier club teams in the country."
Slack on George Washington: "I chose GW for its unique, out-of-the-box atmosphere. It offers numerous opportunities with the Capital setting. The soccer, the cool and interesting people, and the campus just clicked for me."
Slack's Resume: Her club team, the Hawks, have won the State Cup the past two seasons. In 2005, they were Region II Champions and finished third at Nationals. Her high school team is also extremely successful, having won a State Championship in 2004 and finishing as finalists in 2006. Kristen is an All-District player who is also a member of both the National and Spanish Honor Societies.
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