NORMAN, Okla. - University of Oklahoma head soccer coach Matt Potter announced the addition of 14 student-athletes in the early signing period as part of the 2013 incoming class on Thursday. The 2013 signing class netted five four-star recruits and three three-star recruits.
The Sooners welcome 14 high school players for the '13 campaign, including forward Daisy Cardona (Ventura, Calif.), attacking midfielder Jemma Cota (Mesa, Ariz.), goalkeeper Kaitlyn Fahrner (Las Vegas, Nev.), defender Courtney Forte (Flower Mound, Texas), forward Jamie Iurato (Mesa, Ariz.), midfielder Paige Jacobs (Coppell, Texas), defender Madison Kinzer (Oro Valley, Ariz.), goalkeeper Miranda Larkin (Rockwall, Texas), forward Caren Nelson (Colorado Springs, Colo.), midfielder Shiloh Price (Broken Arrow, Okla.), forward/defender Madi Saliba (Broken Arrow, Okla.), defender Rachel Ressler (Phoenix, Ariz.), attacking midfielder Lisa Robinson (Oklahoma City, Okla.) and midfielder Elise Romano (Basking Ridge, N.J.).
"It's important for us as we journey forward to bring in the right types of players," said Potter. "They're very self-motivated, they're very driven and they want to succeed. That isn't just limited to the soccer field; that's in the classroom, too. They're known for their good work in the classroom and they're known for their good work in the community as well as their prowess on the soccer field.
View brief bios on each of the signees below (listed in alphabetical order).
Part of the Dallas Sting club team that won two U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships
Received the Golden Glove award for best goalkeeper in the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships in 2010
Four-year letter winner who earned first team all-district honors in 2011 and first team all-district goalkeeper honors in 2012 under head coach Melissa Garcia
Oklahoma FC WPSL squad member
2009 Junior National Young Leaders Conference
Daughter of Gary and Cathy Larkin
One sibling, Michah
Cousin, Tyrel Lacey, drafted by the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer in the 2009 MLS Super Draft and signed for Lyn of the Norwegian Premier League in July 2009.
Caren Nelson
Forward - Colorado Springs, Colo. (Air Academy HS) - Club: Pride Predators (Head Coach Aaron Metzger)
Top Drawer Soccer Three Star Recruit
Earned All-State First Team honors in 2012 after garnering Second Team recognition in '11 and '10 at Air Academy High School under head coach Nancy Sibley
Captained Air Academy to a 4A state title in 2012
Captured First Team All-League honors in 2011 and '12 after earning Second Team accolades in '10
Participated in US Soccer Federation Training Sessions in 2011 and '12 as well as the CO ODP Region IV Camp in 2010
National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society student who earned Principal's Scholar Award for earning a GPA of 4.0 or above
Daughter of Norlynn and Ann Nelson
Mother played volleyball at William Jewell College
