February 7, 2002
GREENVILLE, SC -- Furman women's soccer coach Brian Lee announced the signing of seven scholar-athletes to national letters-of-intent on Thursday, including six members of the Region II and III Olympic Development Program (ODP) Teams and Pools.
Joining the three-time defending Southern Conference regular season champions in 2002 will be Nicky Darling of Coralville, Iowa, Andie Hinshaw of Raleigh, N.C., Katharine Kelley of Raleigh, N.C., Tara Marker of South Kaufman, Texas, Andrea Morrison of Kernersville, N.C., Erin Sanders of Charlotte, N.C., and Stacy Simpson of Columbia, S.C.
"We are extremely excited about our 2002 freshman class," said Furman head coach Brian Lee. "This group is a great combination of speed, athleticism, and skill that will help our program reach our lofty goals. I could not be any more excited about the future of our program and the role each of these student-athletes can play in aiding us on the field. More importantly, they are also quality students and people who will be great ambassadors for Furman University."
Nicky
Darling is a midfielder and is a member of the Canadian Under-19 National Team
pool and Region II ODP Team. She is a member of the Iowa United club team, helping
to lead them to a state championship. Darling attends Iowa City West High School.
Andie Hinshaw is the starting goalkeeper for the three-time state champion and 2001 No. 1 school in the nation, Broughton High School in Raleigh, N.C. In addition to leading Broughton to national prominence, Hinshaw is a member of the CASL Spartans club team, is a Region III ODP Team member, and is a former member of the national team pool.
Katharine Kelley is a teammate of Hinshaw's as she also helped lead Broughton to the state championship and national No. 1 ranking in 2001. Kelley, a defender, attended Hale High School in Raleigh before transferring to Broughton. She is also a member of the Spartans and chose not to play ODP soccer.
Tara Marker is also a Region III ODP Team member. She is a former member of the national team pool and attended the Adidas ESP Showcase as a senior. A member of the Texas Wave club program, Marker attends Deer Park High School in South Kaufman, Texas.
A third member of the Raleigh Spartans, Andrea Morrison is a defender from Kernersville, N.C. Morrison attends East Forsyth High School and is a member of the Region III ODP Team. She is a former member of the Greensboro Twisters club program. Morrison also attended the Adidas ESP Showcase.
Erin Sanders is a midfielder from Providence High School in Charlotte, N.C. A member of the Region III pool, Sanders plays for the Charlotte Soccer Club. She also attended the Adidas ESP Showcase. Stacy Simpson is a defender from Columbia, S.C. and attends Richland Northeast High School. She is a member of the Region III pool and helped lead the Greenville Futbol Club to the region championship last year.
Also joining the Lady Paladins in 2002 is transfer Ashley Murray. Murray spent the 2000 season as a freshman at Texas A&M, starting four contests and playing in ten matches before sustaining a knee injury. She is currently enrolled at Furman and will participate in the spring season.
In addition to Furman's seven incoming freshman and Murray, the Lady Paladins welcome back redshirt freshman Kelly Shedd, who broke her leg in the second match of the 2001 campaign.
Photo on right: Furman signee Andrea Morrison performing a flip throw-in.