Four student-athletes have each signed a National Letter of Intent to play soccer at John Brown University, head women's soccer coach Kathleen Paulsen announced Wednesday afternoon (March 30).
The signing class includes Katherine Haar (Denver, Colo.), Sarah Hughes (Albuquerque, N.M.), Allie McCracken (Tyler, Texas) and Hannah Sweaney (Springfield, Mo.).
"I am excited to welcome the 2016 class to the women's soccer program," said Paulsen. "This class is a great picture of who we want to be on and off the field. They come from all over the country and each bring something unique to our program from good vision, to hard nose-tacklers, to work rate.
"Perhaps the most exciting part is the reason they have chosen to be at John Brown University. They have all expressed and demonstrated a deep desire to embrace our program's vision of a Christ-centered team culture, while pursuing excellence in soccer. I look forward to having them be a part of the Golden Eagle family."
The quartet will replace a three-member graduating senior class, which concluded its collegiate play this past fall. Despite the loss of the three seniors, including All-Sooner Athletic honoree Julie Whitlow, the Golden Eagles will return five of six players nominated to the All-Conference teams in 2016, including 89.5 percent of its scoring output from the 2015 campaign. JBU finished the season with a 13-6-2 overall record, including its third-consecutive season in double-digit victories under Paulsen. John Brown battled to finish the season with seven wins in its final eight contests, including a third-straight appearance in the Sooner Athletic Conference tournament championship game, where it fell in penalty kicks at top-seeded Science & Arts (Okla.).
Haar was a two-year letterwinner at Valor Chrisitian High School (Colo.) under head coaches Dan Georgopulos and Brian Shultz. She also lettered two seasons at Cherry Creek High School (Colo.) under head coach Jim Schneider and helped Cherry Creek to a regular season title and led the Bruins to an Elite 8 finish in the 5A Colorado High School Activities Association state tournament as a sophomore. Haar finished her sophomore campaign second on squad in assists and guided Valor Christian to 12-1-1 regular season record as a junior.
Hughes was a four-year letterwinner at Hope Christian School (N.M.) under head coach Ron Espinoza. She led Hope Christian to three consecutive New Mexico Activities Association 4A state championships and netted four goals and 11 points in 87 career games. She was a three-time All-District and three-time All-State honoree and landed Player of the Year Award in sophomore and senior seasons while earning Top Defender of the Year Award in all four seasons. She also is a three-year track and field athlete.
McCracken was a four-year letterwinner at Grace Community School (Texas) under head coach Mitch Smith. She helped Grace to back-to-back district titles in her junior and senior campaigns. She led the Cougars to a regional championship as a junior and was named All-State second team as a junior before netting 25 goals and dishing out 28 assists, including six hat tricks, as a senior. McCracken was a three-time All-District honoree and two-time Academic All-State award recipient. She also ran cross country for two years and qualified for Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools 4A state meet as a junior.
Sweaney was a four-year letterwinner at Kickapoo High School (Mo.) under head coach Phil Hodge. She guided the Chiefs to back-to-back district titles as a freshman and sophomore and was named to All-Conference and Academic All-Conference team as a junior after pacing team in total points. She led the team as co-captain for two seasons.
Sports on 04/06/2016