Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Rhoden Signs 10 on National Signing Day
11/15/2019 9:58:00 AM | Women's Soccer
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The Middle Tennessee soccer team announced the addition of 10 student-athletes for the 2020 season on Wednesday and Thursday during the National Signing Day period.
The Blue Raiders have gained 10 talented and versatile players from Florida, Tennessee, California, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Odense, Denmark. They include Megan Alyward, Madison Brown, Sabrina Comana, Ida Eriksen, Alex Goffi, Taylor Hamlett, Jill Kaplan, Mia Roberts, Ashley Shimberg and Lauren Spaanstra.
"With the help of my staff and support personnel and our players, we were able to secure a very talented and versatile recruiting class," head coach Aston Rhoden said. "The versatility and talent in this class will increase the depth of our team and allow us to maintain a good level of play for longer periods."
"All members of our 2020 recruiting class have a good work ethic, have played in big games and are extremely competitive and very coachable. I can hardly wait to blend our new talent with our very experienced and very capable group of returning players."
Megan Alyward | MF | 5-9 | Marietta, Ga. | Harrison High School
Alyward is a midfielder from Marietta, Georgia who most recently played for the Concorde Fire since 2006 under the helm of Jaimel Johnson. She captained the club for the past two years.
In her final season at Harrison High School, coached by Jonathan Gross, Alyward was named captain and was a varsity player for all four years. Off the field, she was the events coordinator of the math team.
"Megan is creative and technical midfielder," Rhoden said. "She is very composed on the ball and a good finisher. Her awareness and vision allows her to bring others into the game while creating scoring opportunities of her own."
Alyward is looking forward to the relationships and bonds she expects to form with her new teammates at Middle Tennessee. She will major in forensic science.
Madison Brown | D/MF | 5-11 | Jupiter, Fla. | Jupiter High School
Brown is a Florida native who most recently played with Florida Kraze Krush Club under the helm of Hue Menzies. The 5-foot-11 defender/midfielder was named the 2015 nationals MVP.
At Jupiter High School, where she played under Tim Shea and Mike DeLeonardo, Brown was named to the First Team All-County Palm Beach, First Team All-Conference Martin County and All-Captains attendee. In her junior year, she was awarded team MVP and led the squad in points.
"Madison can play as a center defender or center midfielder," Rhoden said. "She is a ball winner with a great physical presence, good vision, excellent passing range and is always very composed on the ball. Her aerial ability will be an asset or us."
Brown will major in nursing, enrolling to Middle Tennessee in the fall of 2020. She loves lasagna, "Vampire Diaries" and Julie Ertz. She wants to receive her BSN in nursing or attend PA school.
Sabrina Comana | D | 5-4 | San Diego, Calif. | Academy of Our Lady of Peace
Comana is a defensive specialist from San Diego, California who has played soccer for about 14 years, most recently with the DMCV Sharks ECNL 2002 club. She helped captain the team from 2016-18 while reaching the CalSouth National Cup Quarterfinals in 2017.
She played for Academy of Our Lady of Peace under the helm of Kevin Soares. Her team was the 2017 CIF D3 champions, 2018 CIF D2 champions and 2019 CIF D1 Open Division finalists. Comana was also named to the All-League San Diego City Conference Team, San Diego Union Tribune Academic Team and was an OLP Scholar Athlete for the past three years.
"Sabrina is a very strong and athletic defender," Rhoden said. "She's wins most of her one-on-one battles and is always composed in possession. She has a great engine and will be able to get forward in the attack."
Comana likes to cook, bake and hike and is thinking about being a physical therapist or work in real estate. She is looking forward to being a part of a the "family-feel" environment at Middle Tennessee.
Ida Eriksen | MF | 5-7 | Odense, Denmark | Efterskolen ved Nyborg and Sct. Hans Skole
Eriksen hails from Odense, Denmark and is the only signee that is from outside the United States. The 5-foot-7 midfielder played club for Odense FC, coached by Bo Sundahl and Jeppe Abel, where she made it to the quarterfinals in the Gothia Cup in 2018, won the bronze in the national Danish league in 2018 and won the cup tournament three years in a row.
At Sct. Hans Skole, Eriksen was the highest-scoring player in the national school league in 2016 (29 goals in six matches) and made it to the league semifinals. She participated in the ISF World Cup tournament for EVN in 2017.
"Ida is a very balanced midfielder and plays both sides of the ball well," Rhoden said. " She's a box-to-box player with great vision and passing ability. Her composure on the ball and her ability to get forward in the attack will make us more dangerous from the midfield area."
Eriksen's dream is to join the Danish national team and to be a professional player. She likes to shop, fitness and spending time with friends and family.
Alex Goffi | D | 5-3 | Weston, Fla. | Cypress Bay High School
Goffi, a 5-foot-3 defender, comes to Middle Tennessee from Weston, Florida. She played for FC Sunrise Prime under Alan Hough for two years and scored a goal in the 2018-19 season.
For her high school team, Cypress Bay, Goffi was a four-year starter and finished with 10 goals in her junior year while scoring seven goals as a sophomore and freshman. She was named to the first team all-county by the Miami Herald and Sun Sentinel in back-to-back years. She was also named second team all-county her freshman year.
"Alex is a very athletic, technical and quick outside back," Rhoden said. "She reads the game well and is good in possession. Her ability to get up and down the flank areas and her versatility will be an asset for us."
Goffi plans to major in nursing after enrolling at Middle Tennessee. Her favorite food is Chinese food, and her favorite song is "Dance Monkey" by Tones and I.
Taylor Hamlett | F | 5-8 | Mars, Pa. | Mars Area High School
Hamlett is a talented forward from Mars, Pennsylvania. She played for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds ECNL for seven years under the helm of Scott Gibson, and during the 2018-19 ECNL season, knocked in an impressive 17 goals. Her team reached the playoffs in back-to-back seasons.
At Harrison High School, where she played under Blair Gerlach, Hamlett amassed 95 assists and 102 goals in her career. She was a four-year letterwinner, team offensive MVP, three-time all-section, three-time All-WPIAL and was named team captain her junior and senior years. She was also named Pittsburg Post-Gazette Athlete of the Week and a two-time Butler Eagle Player of the Week.
"Taylor is a talented and powerful forward," Rhoden said. "She can play in central and wide position and has great vision and composure on the ball. She plays well back-to-goal but is also a creative attacker. Taylor loves scoring goals and is good at it."
Hamlett likes to swim, surf, read, travel and hang with friends. She plans to major in nursing.
Jill Kaplan | MF/F | 5-5 | San Diego, Calif. | Torrey Pines High School
Kaplan, a California native, played with Del Mar Sharks Club under the helm of Goran Nastic for 12 years.
At Torrey Pines High School, where she played under Martyn Hansford, Kaplan qualified for the all-academic team in 2018-19 and also played varsity field hockey. She has three siblings, one brother and two sisters. Her dad played football for the University of Pittsburgh (1988-91) and in the NFL with the San Diego Chargers, Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears.
"Jillian is a very versatile player," Rhoden said. "Her goal-scoring ability and pace make her a competent forward, while her ball-wining abilities, passing range and vision make her a strong midfielder as well. Her versatility will help us play several different ways in the attack."
Kaplan is undecided on her major and will enroll at Middle Tennessee in the fall of 2020. She loves all food, Aaron Rodgers and the song "Dance Monkey" by Tones and I.
Mia Roberts | MF/F | 5-4 | Murfreesboro, Tenn. | Siegel High School
Roberts is a versatile player from Murfreesboro who played with Tennessee Soccer Club, coached by Ronnie Woodard.
She played for Siegel High School under the helm of Michael McGoffin. Roberts was named Mid-Fielder of the Year in 2018, a three-time all-state nominee, three-time all-area, three-time all-district, two-time team offensive MVP and all-district second team. She scored 13 goals and dished out 17 assists in her career, advancing to the state tournament her sophomore and senior years. Off the field, Roberts was in the National Honor Society, Beta Club and Spanish Competition Delegate.
"Mia is a very versatile player who can play anywhere in midfield and up top," Rhoden said. "She has a good engine, is very technical, reads the game well and will create many scoring chances for herself and her teammates."
Roberts plans to major in speech therapy and hopes to be a speech therapist. She likes sushi, Chris Pratt, AJR and playing sand volleyball. Her sister, Bella, plays soccer at UT Martin.
Ashley Shimberg | MF/F | 5-3 | Tampa, Fla. | Tampa Preparatory School
Shimberg, a 5-foot-3 midfielder/forward, hails from Tampa, Florida and played for Tampa Bay United ECNL. She started on her club teams since 2012 and led each team in scoring.
At Tampa Preparatory School, Shimberg racked up 68 goals over four years. She was named Home Team Hot Shot of the Week by the Tampa Tribune, Florida Orthopedic Athlete of the Week and was a three-time team MVP. Off the field, she was a student government representative during her freshman and sophomore years and was a part of the Meals on Wheels leadership board.
"Ashley is a creative attacking player who can play as a forward or outside midfielder," Rhoden said. "She's very good in one-on-one situations and can finish from distance. Her passing ability and vision will create many scoring chances for us."
Shimberg loves steak, "The Polar Express" and Sandra Bullock. She plans to major in exercise science and wants to have a career in orthopedics with a focus on athletes.
Lauren Spaanstra | D | 5-9 | Franklin, Tenn. | Independence High School
Spaanstra, a 5-foot-9 defender, comes to Middle Tennessee from Franklin, Tennessee. She played for Tennessee Soccer Club 01 ECNL under Ronnie Woodard for 11 years. Her team was a two-time national qualifier and won the state championship in 2015-16.
For her high school team, Independence, Spaanstra was a four-year starter and finished in the top five in most minutes in school history (4,000-plus). She finished with six goals and 18 assists during her high school career. Spaanstra started 59 out of 60 matches for Independence, was named defensive MVP once and was placed on the all-district team.
"Lauren is a hard-nosed defender who can play anywhere on the back line," Rhoden said.
Spaanstra loves Mexican food, Michael B. Jordan and Keith Urban. She is undecided on her major.
FOLLOW THE BLUE
Instagram: @MT_WSoccer
Twitter: @MT_Soccer
Facebook: Middle Tennessee Blue Raider Womens Soccer
The Blue Raiders have gained 10 talented and versatile players from Florida, Tennessee, California, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Odense, Denmark. They include Megan Alyward, Madison Brown, Sabrina Comana, Ida Eriksen, Alex Goffi, Taylor Hamlett, Jill Kaplan, Mia Roberts, Ashley Shimberg and Lauren Spaanstra.
"With the help of my staff and support personnel and our players, we were able to secure a very talented and versatile recruiting class," head coach Aston Rhoden said. "The versatility and talent in this class will increase the depth of our team and allow us to maintain a good level of play for longer periods."
"All members of our 2020 recruiting class have a good work ethic, have played in big games and are extremely competitive and very coachable. I can hardly wait to blend our new talent with our very experienced and very capable group of returning players."
Megan Alyward | MF | 5-9 | Marietta, Ga. | Harrison High School
Alyward is a midfielder from Marietta, Georgia who most recently played for the Concorde Fire since 2006 under the helm of Jaimel Johnson. She captained the club for the past two years.
In her final season at Harrison High School, coached by Jonathan Gross, Alyward was named captain and was a varsity player for all four years. Off the field, she was the events coordinator of the math team.
"Megan is creative and technical midfielder," Rhoden said. "She is very composed on the ball and a good finisher. Her awareness and vision allows her to bring others into the game while creating scoring opportunities of her own."
Alyward is looking forward to the relationships and bonds she expects to form with her new teammates at Middle Tennessee. She will major in forensic science.
Madison Brown | D/MF | 5-11 | Jupiter, Fla. | Jupiter High School
Brown is a Florida native who most recently played with Florida Kraze Krush Club under the helm of Hue Menzies. The 5-foot-11 defender/midfielder was named the 2015 nationals MVP.
At Jupiter High School, where she played under Tim Shea and Mike DeLeonardo, Brown was named to the First Team All-County Palm Beach, First Team All-Conference Martin County and All-Captains attendee. In her junior year, she was awarded team MVP and led the squad in points.
"Madison can play as a center defender or center midfielder," Rhoden said. "She is a ball winner with a great physical presence, good vision, excellent passing range and is always very composed on the ball. Her aerial ability will be an asset or us."
Brown will major in nursing, enrolling to Middle Tennessee in the fall of 2020. She loves lasagna, "Vampire Diaries" and Julie Ertz. She wants to receive her BSN in nursing or attend PA school.
Sabrina Comana | D | 5-4 | San Diego, Calif. | Academy of Our Lady of Peace
Comana is a defensive specialist from San Diego, California who has played soccer for about 14 years, most recently with the DMCV Sharks ECNL 2002 club. She helped captain the team from 2016-18 while reaching the CalSouth National Cup Quarterfinals in 2017.
She played for Academy of Our Lady of Peace under the helm of Kevin Soares. Her team was the 2017 CIF D3 champions, 2018 CIF D2 champions and 2019 CIF D1 Open Division finalists. Comana was also named to the All-League San Diego City Conference Team, San Diego Union Tribune Academic Team and was an OLP Scholar Athlete for the past three years.
"Sabrina is a very strong and athletic defender," Rhoden said. "She's wins most of her one-on-one battles and is always composed in possession. She has a great engine and will be able to get forward in the attack."
Comana likes to cook, bake and hike and is thinking about being a physical therapist or work in real estate. She is looking forward to being a part of a the "family-feel" environment at Middle Tennessee.
Ida Eriksen | MF | 5-7 | Odense, Denmark | Efterskolen ved Nyborg and Sct. Hans Skole
Eriksen hails from Odense, Denmark and is the only signee that is from outside the United States. The 5-foot-7 midfielder played club for Odense FC, coached by Bo Sundahl and Jeppe Abel, where she made it to the quarterfinals in the Gothia Cup in 2018, won the bronze in the national Danish league in 2018 and won the cup tournament three years in a row.
At Sct. Hans Skole, Eriksen was the highest-scoring player in the national school league in 2016 (29 goals in six matches) and made it to the league semifinals. She participated in the ISF World Cup tournament for EVN in 2017.
"Ida is a very balanced midfielder and plays both sides of the ball well," Rhoden said. " She's a box-to-box player with great vision and passing ability. Her composure on the ball and her ability to get forward in the attack will make us more dangerous from the midfield area."
Eriksen's dream is to join the Danish national team and to be a professional player. She likes to shop, fitness and spending time with friends and family.
Alex Goffi | D | 5-3 | Weston, Fla. | Cypress Bay High School
Goffi, a 5-foot-3 defender, comes to Middle Tennessee from Weston, Florida. She played for FC Sunrise Prime under Alan Hough for two years and scored a goal in the 2018-19 season.
For her high school team, Cypress Bay, Goffi was a four-year starter and finished with 10 goals in her junior year while scoring seven goals as a sophomore and freshman. She was named to the first team all-county by the Miami Herald and Sun Sentinel in back-to-back years. She was also named second team all-county her freshman year.
"Alex is a very athletic, technical and quick outside back," Rhoden said. "She reads the game well and is good in possession. Her ability to get up and down the flank areas and her versatility will be an asset for us."
Goffi plans to major in nursing after enrolling at Middle Tennessee. Her favorite food is Chinese food, and her favorite song is "Dance Monkey" by Tones and I.
Taylor Hamlett | F | 5-8 | Mars, Pa. | Mars Area High School
Hamlett is a talented forward from Mars, Pennsylvania. She played for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds ECNL for seven years under the helm of Scott Gibson, and during the 2018-19 ECNL season, knocked in an impressive 17 goals. Her team reached the playoffs in back-to-back seasons.
At Harrison High School, where she played under Blair Gerlach, Hamlett amassed 95 assists and 102 goals in her career. She was a four-year letterwinner, team offensive MVP, three-time all-section, three-time All-WPIAL and was named team captain her junior and senior years. She was also named Pittsburg Post-Gazette Athlete of the Week and a two-time Butler Eagle Player of the Week.
"Taylor is a talented and powerful forward," Rhoden said. "She can play in central and wide position and has great vision and composure on the ball. She plays well back-to-goal but is also a creative attacker. Taylor loves scoring goals and is good at it."
Hamlett likes to swim, surf, read, travel and hang with friends. She plans to major in nursing.
Jill Kaplan | MF/F | 5-5 | San Diego, Calif. | Torrey Pines High School
Kaplan, a California native, played with Del Mar Sharks Club under the helm of Goran Nastic for 12 years.
At Torrey Pines High School, where she played under Martyn Hansford, Kaplan qualified for the all-academic team in 2018-19 and also played varsity field hockey. She has three siblings, one brother and two sisters. Her dad played football for the University of Pittsburgh (1988-91) and in the NFL with the San Diego Chargers, Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears.
"Jillian is a very versatile player," Rhoden said. "Her goal-scoring ability and pace make her a competent forward, while her ball-wining abilities, passing range and vision make her a strong midfielder as well. Her versatility will help us play several different ways in the attack."
Kaplan is undecided on her major and will enroll at Middle Tennessee in the fall of 2020. She loves all food, Aaron Rodgers and the song "Dance Monkey" by Tones and I.
Mia Roberts | MF/F | 5-4 | Murfreesboro, Tenn. | Siegel High School
Roberts is a versatile player from Murfreesboro who played with Tennessee Soccer Club, coached by Ronnie Woodard.
She played for Siegel High School under the helm of Michael McGoffin. Roberts was named Mid-Fielder of the Year in 2018, a three-time all-state nominee, three-time all-area, three-time all-district, two-time team offensive MVP and all-district second team. She scored 13 goals and dished out 17 assists in her career, advancing to the state tournament her sophomore and senior years. Off the field, Roberts was in the National Honor Society, Beta Club and Spanish Competition Delegate.
"Mia is a very versatile player who can play anywhere in midfield and up top," Rhoden said. "She has a good engine, is very technical, reads the game well and will create many scoring chances for herself and her teammates."
Roberts plans to major in speech therapy and hopes to be a speech therapist. She likes sushi, Chris Pratt, AJR and playing sand volleyball. Her sister, Bella, plays soccer at UT Martin.
Ashley Shimberg | MF/F | 5-3 | Tampa, Fla. | Tampa Preparatory School
Shimberg, a 5-foot-3 midfielder/forward, hails from Tampa, Florida and played for Tampa Bay United ECNL. She started on her club teams since 2012 and led each team in scoring.
At Tampa Preparatory School, Shimberg racked up 68 goals over four years. She was named Home Team Hot Shot of the Week by the Tampa Tribune, Florida Orthopedic Athlete of the Week and was a three-time team MVP. Off the field, she was a student government representative during her freshman and sophomore years and was a part of the Meals on Wheels leadership board.
"Ashley is a creative attacking player who can play as a forward or outside midfielder," Rhoden said. "She's very good in one-on-one situations and can finish from distance. Her passing ability and vision will create many scoring chances for us."
Shimberg loves steak, "The Polar Express" and Sandra Bullock. She plans to major in exercise science and wants to have a career in orthopedics with a focus on athletes.
Lauren Spaanstra | D | 5-9 | Franklin, Tenn. | Independence High School
Spaanstra, a 5-foot-9 defender, comes to Middle Tennessee from Franklin, Tennessee. She played for Tennessee Soccer Club 01 ECNL under Ronnie Woodard for 11 years. Her team was a two-time national qualifier and won the state championship in 2015-16.
For her high school team, Independence, Spaanstra was a four-year starter and finished in the top five in most minutes in school history (4,000-plus). She finished with six goals and 18 assists during her high school career. Spaanstra started 59 out of 60 matches for Independence, was named defensive MVP once and was placed on the all-district team.
"Lauren is a hard-nosed defender who can play anywhere on the back line," Rhoden said.
Spaanstra loves Mexican food, Michael B. Jordan and Keith Urban. She is undecided on her major.
FOLLOW THE BLUE
Instagram: @MT_WSoccer
Twitter: @MT_Soccer
Facebook: Middle Tennessee Blue Raider Womens Soccer
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