Wake Forest Athletics
Women's Soccer Lands 12 In Recruiting Class
4/23/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
April 23, 2004
Women's Soccer Adds Two More Recruits
Winston-Salem, N.C. - The Wake Forest women's soccer program announced that 12 outstanding athletes will join the Demon Deacons this fall. The class includes Megan Upchurch (Ormond Beach, Fla.), Marissa Buckley (Atlanta, Ga.), Laura Colven (Dallas, Texas), Heather Currie (Charlotte, N.C.), Maggie Horne (Atlanta, Ga.), Elizabeth Carter (Richmond, Va.), Ashley Burney (Centennail, Colo.), Katie Kokkinos (Allentown, Pa.), Ashley Spooner (Oviedo, Fla.), Nichole Lecznar (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.), Kristina Hanley (Hickory, N.C.) and Katherine Skarbek (Louisville, Ky.).
"We are very excited about the quality of this incoming class," said seventh year head coach Tony Da Luz. "The addition of this group, along with our strong returning players gives us extreme optimism heading into next season."
Women's Soccer Newcomers
Kristina Hanley
Midfielder
Hickory, N.C.
St. Stephen H.S.
Background ... Four-year letterwinner for St. Stephen H.S. ... also picked up a pair of letters in basketball ... named all-conference, all-region and all-state during freshman, sophomore and junior seasons ... awarded conference Player of the Year in 2002 and 2003 ... chosen as region Player of the Year this past season ... served as captain and named team's MVP ... selected to the All-Charlotte Observer team... played club soccer for the Charlotte Soccer Club ... helped them to four North Carolina State Club Championships ... reached the 2003 Region III finals ... member of the North Carolina Olympic Development Program for five years ... member of State Team (1999-03) and Region Team (2000-04) ... attended adidas ESP National Camp ... played with Region III squad in Europe ... member of the Beta Club ... served as Junior Class Vice President and Student Body President ... chose Wake Forest over North Carolina, Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Furman ... brother, Ryan, played college soccer for Johns Hopkins ... born Jan. 9, 1986 in Miami, Florida ... daughter of Susan & the late John Hanley ... major is undecided.
Ashley Burney
Defender
Centennail, Colo.
Smoky Hill H.S.
Background ... Four-year letterwinner for Smoky Hill H.S. ... as the only freshman on the varsity squad; named most improved in 2000 ... helped Smoky Hill to the state semifinals in 2001 and 2002 ... captured a conference title in 2002 and climbed as high as #21 in national rankings ... won conference title again in 2003 and reached state quarterfinals ... played club soccer for the Colorado Storm Royal (19996-03) and Colorado Rush (2003) ... helped Rush to 2003 U-18 Disney Championship and the U-18 Colorado State Finals ... member of the Colorado Olympic Development Program from 2000-03 ... named to the 2001 Region IV ODP Team ... participated in the USYSA U-23 National Select Team Camp in 2003 ... named to USYSA U-23 Region IV Team ... member of National Honor Society, Who's Who Among America's High School Students and the Honor Roll ... chose Wake Forest over Washington, Tennessee and UMass ... brother, Jason, played college football at Colorado and now plays in the Arena Football League ... born April 2, 1986 in Denver, Colo. ... daughter of Tim Burney & Lauren Burney ... major will be business or psychology.
Heather Currie
Goalkeeper
Charlotte, N.C.
Providence Day School
Background ... Earned five letters in soccer at Providence Day School ... also earned four letters in track, three in basketball and one in cross country ... named All-Mecklenburg, All-Charlotte Observer, NCISAA/NCSCA All-Conference, all-region and all-state ... helped team to the CISAA Conference Championship ... named all-conference in the 4x400 meter relay team ... also placed third in the NCISAA State Track and Field meet ... played club soccer for the Charlotte Soccer Club for five years ... four-time club state champions ... ranked seventh in the nation ... reached Southern Region Finals; named team MVP ... member of the Georgia Olympic Development Program for one year and the North Carolina Olympic Development Program for four years ... member of the Region III ODP Pool ... member of the Cum Laude Society, National Honor Society, 700 Club, Outstanding Students of America and Who's Who Among America's High School Students ... chose Wake Forest over Pepperdine, Virginia Tech, Georgetown, Penn and UCLA ... played on same ODP team as fellow Wake Forest freshman Kristina Hanley ... born January 21, 1986 in Athens, Ga. ... daughter of Mark & Kaci Currie ... major is undecided.
Nichole Lecznar
Defender
Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
Bloomfield Hills Lahser H.S.
Background ... Four-year letterwinner for Bloomfield Hills Lahser H.S. ... four-year starter, three-year captain and three-year MVP ... named the Most Improved Player by coach freshman season ... OAA Scholar Athlete Award all four years ... selected to all-area, all-conference, all-district, all-region and all-state ... received Presidential Fitness Award ... played club soccer for the Michigan Hawks '86 (current) and VARDAR III '86 (seven years) ... helped the Hawks to the U-18 State Cup Championship, Region 2 Championship and WAGS Tournament Championship ... team also garnered a #4 national ranking ... member of the Michigan Olympic Development Program for two years ... graduating Summa Cum Laude - school's highest academic achievement award ... member of the National Honor Society ... received Elizabeth Stone Gallery Art Award ... chose Wake Forest over Wisconsin, Michigan State, John Hopkins, George Mason and Illinois State ... grandfather played college football for Mississippi State ... born June 20, 1986 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan ... daughter of John & Mary Lecznar ... major will be pre-med and business.
Marissa Buckley
Midfielder
Atlanta, Ga.
Westminster School
Background ... Three-year letterwinner at Westminster School ... part of back-to-back Georgia State Championship teams (2002 and 2003) ... all-area honorable mention during junior year ... team was ranked as high as 11th in the nation in 2003 ...played eight years of club soccer for the Tophat Soccer Club (1996-2004) ... club team reached the semifinals of the Georgia State Cup in 2003 and 2004 ... finished the regular season undefeated in 2004 ... named to Honor Roll in freshman, sophomore and junior year ... awarded Spanish Award during sophomore year ... member of National Honor Society ... chose Wake Forest over Vanderbilt, Washington and Lee, Georgia and Virginia ... sister, Kara, ran track and played rugby at Dartmouth ... other sister, Krista, played rugby at University of St. Andrews, Scotland ... born February 16, 1986 in Toledo, Ohio ... daughter of Greg & Susan Buckley ... major will be business.
Laura Colven
Midfielder
Dallas, Texas
Ursuline Academy
Background ... Four-year letterwinner at Ursuline Academy ... also earned one letter in track and field ... earned all-district and all-state honors each of her four seasons ... four-year starter on four-time state championship team ... named team MVP this past season ... ranked in the nation's top-10 in each of the past four years ... played club soccer for the Sting '86 ... led club to the Texas Cup Championship in 2003; named MVP of the tournament ... also helped club to titles at the Spring Classic at Dallas Cup (2002), North America Memorial Day Cup (2002) and Kellogg's Bowl (2000) ... captured the 2000 Texas Club Championship and advanced into the Region III semifinals ... named to Honor Roll all four years of high school ... member of the National Honor Society ... received English III Award ... chose Wake Forest over St. Louis, Missouri, TCU, Purdue and Richmond ... played high school soccer with Demon Deacon sophomore Lindsey Jaco ... born March 27, 1986 in Dallas, Texas ... daughter of Tom & Jan Colven ... major will be health and exercise science.
Carter Ellis
Forward
Richmond, Va.
St. Catherine's H.S.
Background ... Two-year letterwinner at St. Catherine's H.S. ... also earned letters in indoor track (2), cross country (1), indoor soccer (1) and lacrosse (3) ... all-conference in 2001 and 2002 ... led the team in scoring both years ... named All-Virginia in cross country ... Virginia All-Star in lacrosse ... played club soccer with the Richmond Strikers (2003-04), Richmond Capitals (1999-03) and Winston-Salem Twins (1995-99) ... captured 2001 Wrangler Jeans/McDonald Classic and 2002 PWSI Icebreaker Championships ... member of the Virginia Olympic Development Program ... received National Chemistry Award in 10th Grade ... achieved Honor Roll all four years ... chose Wake Forest over Washington & Lee, Randolph Macon, Davidson, Vanderbilt and William & Mary ... uncle played college football for Randolph Macon ... born April 27, 1986 in Richmond, Va. ... daughter of Ace & Kelly Ellis ... major is undecided.
Maggie Horne
Midfielder
Atlanta, Ga.
Marist H.S.
Background ... Four-year letterwinner at Marist H.S. ... helped team capture the 2001 and 2003 AAAA State Championship ... also reached the AAAA State Semifinals ... served as captain in 2003 and 2004 ... named to the Atlanta Journal Constitution All-Dekalb County first team three times ... AAAA Student-Athlete of the Month in April 2003 ... played club soccer for United Quest Red '85 and Tophat 04 Gold ... helped club team to the Georgia State Club Championships at U-18 in 2004, U-17 in 2003, U-16 in 2002 and U-14 in 2000 ... captured Southern Regional Championships in 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2004 ... member of the Georgia Olympic Development Program State Team from 1999-2003 ... reached the Regional Pool in 2001 ... nominated for the Wendy's High School Heisman Award ... named to Honor Roll all four years ... member of the National Honor Society and French National Honor Society ... chose Wake Forest over Virginia Tech, University of Denver, Mississippi and Miami of Ohio ... cousin, John Hendler, played basketball at Wake Forest from 1977-80 ... born October 13, 1985 in Atlanta, Ga. ... daughter of Rick & Peggy Horne ... major is undecided.
Katie Kokkinos
Midfielder
Allentown, Pa.
Emmaus H.S.
Background ... Four-year letterwinner for Emmaus H.S. ... also earned two letters in cross country and two letters in basketball ... earned all-state and LVIAC All-Area first team in 2003 ... named team MVP in 2002 ... All-East Penn Conference first team in 2002 ... led team in goals and assists in 2002 ... helped team to the East Penn Conference Championship, LVIAC Championship, a district finals appearance and a 20th national ranking ... served as tri-captain on the basketball team ... played club soccer for Vincent United Archangels (one year), Spirit United Tornadoes (four months) and Bethlehem United (five years) ... helped Vincent United to a WAGS semifinals appearance ... also reached the State Cup Finals with Spirit United ... captured Indoor State Cup Championship and PAGS League Championship with Bethlehem United ... member of the National Honor Society, National French Honor Society and Principal's Honor Roll ... was a Lehigh Valley Scholar Athlete Nominee ... chose Wake Forest over Lehigh, Marshall and Dartmouth ... born July 1, 1986 in Parma, Ohio ... daughter of Tino & Cindy Kokkinos ... major is undecided.
Katherine Skarbek
Defender
Louisville, Ky.
Louisville Collegiate School
Background ... Four-year letterwinner for Louisville Collegiate School, including one with the boys team and three with the girls squad ... also earned four letters in basketball, two in softball and one in cross country ... member of the Boys' Varsity Team in 2000 ... started each of the next three years at sweeper for the girls team ... served as co-captain every season ... named team MVP in 2002 and 2003 ... awarded all-district three straight years... received all-state honorable mention status in 2003 ... four-year starter on the women's basketball team ... played club soccer for the Mockingbird Valley Soccer Club from 2000-04 ... led the team with 17 goals in 2003 and 22 goals in 2002 ... helped team capture Kentucky Select League Championship and Music City Ladies Invitational Championship ... member of the National Honor Society ... named to the Honor Roll four straight semesters ... named academic all-state honorable mention six times ... awarded with Inner Fire Award - given to sophomore that displays most spirit and dedication on and off the field ... chose Wake Forest over William & Mary, Lehigh, Duke and Northwestern ... cousin, Brian, swam at SMU ... born July 1, 1986 in Louisville, Kentucky ... daughter of Ed & Cindy Skarbeck ... major is undecided.
Ashley Spooner
Defender
Oviedo, Fla.
Oviedo H.S.
Background ... Four-year letterwinner for Oviedo H.S. ... also earned a pair of letters in track and field ... named all-conference in 2003 ... appeared on the Michelle Akers All-Tournament Team in 2002 ... named the team's defensive MVP in 2002 and 2003 ... awarded Freshman of the Year by here team in 2000 ... part of the 4x100 relay team that holds the school record ... played club soccer for the CSA All-Stars for the past four years ... helped CAS capture the Orange Classic Championship in 2002 and 2003 ... team advanced to the Florida Final Four in 2000 and 2001 ... member of the Florida Olympic Development Program in 2001 and 2003 ... named an AP Scholar with Honors ... awarded Principal's List and Athletic-Academic Excellence Award four times each ... chose Wake Forest over South Florida, Troy State, The Citadel and West Florida ... sister, LeKenya Johnson, played soccer at Central Florida from 1994-96 ... born July 19, 1986 in Great Lakes, Ill. ... daughter of Edward & Nettie Spooner ... major is undecided.
Megan Upchurch
Midfielder/Forward
Ormond Beach, Fla.
Spruce Creek H.S.
Background ... Four-year letterwinner at Spruce Creek H.S. ... also earned three letters in track and two in cross country ... named all-conference first team in each of four seasons ... three-time Orlando Sentinel All-County and Daytona Beach News-Journal All-Area first team selections ... chosen all-state and team MVP all four years ... twice named Class 3A-District 9 Player of the Year ... scored 89 career goals and recorded 65 career assists ... played three years of club soccer for Ormond Beach Waves - most recently played with Seminole Ice U-18 ... served as co-captain with Seminole Ice and led to championships at Atlanta Cup and Norcross Nike Challenge ... member of Florida's Olympic Development Program ... attended regional camp in 2003 ... awarded Port Orange Rotary Scholar-Athlete of the Month (Jan. 2004) and Spruce Creek Hawk Athlete of the Month (Mar. 2004) ... member of the National Honor Society for three years ... chose Wake Forest over Maryland and Miami (Fla.) ... on same club team as new WFU teammate Ashley Spooner ... born April 28, 1986 in Daytona Beach, Fla. ... daughter of Paul & Rosaria Upchurch ... major is undecided.
