Feb. 6, 2008

LAKE CHARLES-- McNeese State's soccer program added on to its already talented team with the addition of eight signees and one transfer. Signing letters of intent today are Megan Manus, Audrey LaLanne, Casey Read, M'Kensie Aday, Rachel Key, Katy Lingle, Jordan Kolde and Ashley Rudd. Incarnate Word transfer Lauren LaLanne will join younger sister Audrey for the 2008 season.

Manus, a defender from Klein High School. is a member of the DECA Academic Club and has won eight state championships with the Texas Soccer Club Challenge 90 "A" team. "Megan is a very skilled and smart backline player. She anchors the backline for one of the top club teams in the country. We expect her to have an immediate impact on the team with her leadership and competitive experience."

Audrey LaLanne, a midfielder who is also a member of the Texas Club Challenge 90 "A" team attends Cypress Creek High School where she excels in the classroom as well as on the soccer field. She is going to graduate in the top 10% of her class with distinguished honors. She is a two-time All-Greater Houston Area first team selection. She leads her team in goals scored (21) and assists (17) in 2007. Audrey is a seven year Olympic Development Player for the South Texas State Team and was placed in the Region III Pool three times during this stint. "We have established a great relationship with Audrey during the recruiting process. I admire her poise and character. She is a tremendous player and great leader on the field with the ability to lift those around her. She carries the mark of `competitive greatness' because she is always there and ready to perform when her team needs her."

Lauren LaLanne joins younger sister Audrey as a transfer from Incarnate Word. She also attended Cypress Creek and graduated Sum Cum Laude in the top 10% of her class in 2007. At Incarnate Word she was named to the Dean's List her first semester. She prepped with the Houston Dynamos. While at Cypress Creek, LaLanne was named to the All-District, All-Region, All-State and All-State Academic first teams as a senior. Lauren has three years of ODP experience.

At Incarnate Word she advanced to the NCAA Elite 8 while playing in 22 games and was credited with 5 assists. "Lauren transferring to McNeese cements the fact we have another great family joining our Cowgirl Soccer Family. She is a solid soccer player that carries a strong desire to succeed. Her previous collegiate experience will be instrumental to our team success on our back line."

Read, a goalkeeper from Carlsbad, CA, attends Carlsbad High and currently plays for the FC Bratz out of San Diego, CA. Read is a scholar athlete, takes honors/AP courses and is an award winning artist. Casey has been named a 2007 player to watch in California and is a two time Surf Cup Champion. "Casey is a dynamic goalkeeper who has honed her craft in one of the toughest playing grounds in the country, competing in the Southern California leagues. She is confident in her ability and is a proven leader in her position. She has great range and can deal with a variety of situations in front of her net."

Aday, a native of Austin, TX. Attends Hutto High and plays for the Lonestar 90 Soccer Club. She will graduate in the top 10% of her class and is a member of the National Honor Society. She has received Academic Excellence Awards for Biology and Algebra 2. She was a member of the Final Four at the Regional Tournament and attended Regional Camp in 2005. She also had success on the track as a member of the 800 meter relay team that qualified for state. "The ability of M'Kensie to get in behind the defense and finish is remarkable. Her speed in open space will allow us to play with different tactics and offensive schemes."

Key, a forward from Northwest High in Dallas, Texas is a member of the Dallas Texans that will bring a wealth of experience to the squad. She has experience with the North Texas ODP Team, and has led her team in goals and assists for multiple years. She has also played internationally in the Panda Cup. She is a member of the FFA Quiz Team. "Rachel is an amazing player in the attacking third of the field. She has a knack for scoring goals and creating assists. She will be a highlight player in our attacking system."

Lingle, also a member of the Dallas Texans. She has been a starter for her club and high school the past four years. She is a two time all-district player and has served as her team captain as a junior and senior. She was a member of the 2006 and 2007 State Cup finalist teams. Lingle has earned MVP honors at the Ice Bowl Tournament and was named an All-Star player. She is a member of the National Honor Society and is a four year honor roll student. "The personality of Katy was one we knew we needed on our team. She is one of those people you know will be successful in all she does. Her aggressiveness and composure on the field will be key ingredients to our success in the midfield."

Perhaps the most notable of our 2008 recruits are local players Ashley Rudd and Jordan Kolde who play for the Contraband Futbol Cylclones Club Team.

Sam Houston High's Ashley Rudd Will Be A Cowgirl In 2008

Rudd attends Sam Houston High School where she is an honor roll student and is a member of the Student Council and Beta Club. Rudd comes from an athletic family, father John Rudd was a member of the men's basketball team from 1975-78. To date she has recorded 44 shutouts and is a three time all-district selection. She has been a member of teams that were Bi-District Champions and advanced to the state quarterfinals, semifinals, and were state runners-up during her career. She has three years of State ODP experience. She has been a member of the volleyball and track teams for three years and has received all-district honors. "Ashley has done very well to establish herself as a top goalkeeper in Louisiana. She has been a proven competitor and leader with her teams. We have been very impressed with her work ethic and ability to apply coaching points through our Competitive Challenge Soccer Camps. She has good positioning in the goal and is a very good shot blocker. She is going to be very competitive in our training environment and perform well for us in games."

St. Louis High's Jordan Kolde Inks With Cowgirls

Kolde, also a product of the CFC Cyclones, preps at St. Louis Catholic High School where she maintains a 4.0 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society. Kolde is an all-district selection who attended ODP camp in Oklahoma. She was a member of the 2006 and 2007 state championship swim teams. She is a member of the St. Louis concert Choir and Liturgical Choir. Her father Ken was a member of the men's basketball team in the early 80's.

"We have enjoyed watching Jordan mature as a young soccer talent. She has been an annual participant in our Competitive Challenge and St. Louis High School soccer camps. I have always admired her approach to training and games. Jordan has game and she is going to do very well in our system at McNeese."

Coach Savoie concluded with "The Cowgirl Way" will be in good hands with these additions. We expect excellence to continue in all aspects of our program. We could not be more proud to sign this class and the quality that comes with these young guns."

2008 McNeese State Soccer Recruits

M'Kensie Aday

5-7, Forward, Georgetown, TX. (Hutto HS), Lonestar 91 Red

Rachel Key

5-3, Forward, Haslet, TX. (Northwest HS), FC Dallas 90 Blue

Jordan Kolde

6-0, Forward, Lake Charles, LA. (St. Louis HS), CFC Cyclones

Audrey LaLanne

5-10, Midfield, Cypress, TX. (Cypress Creek HS), Challenge 90 "A"

Lauren LaLanne

5-9, Defender, Cypress Creek, TX. (Incarnate Word)

Kaitlyn Lingle

5-6, Midfield, Carrolton, TX. (Newman Smith HS), Dallas Texans

Megan Manus

5-5, Defender, Spring, TX. (Klein HS), Challenge 90 "A"

Cassandra Read

5-10, Goalkeeper, Carlsbad, CA. (Carlsbad HS), FC Bratz

Ashley Rudd

5-9, Goalkeeper, Lake Charles, LA. (Sam Houston HS), CFC Cyclones

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