Women's Soccer Signs Five HS All-Americans to NLIs

Feb. 3, 2005

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Santa Clara University women's soccer head coach Jerry Smith announced the signing of five High School All-America players to National Letters of Intent this past week. Joining the Broncos this fall are Courtney Lewis of Rancho Santa Margarita, Meagan McCray of Novato, Amanda Poach of Bowie, Md., Danielle Potts of Danville and Hayley Siegel of Ellicott City, Md.

"Once again, we have signed another outstanding class," Smith explained. "We are very excited. This should go down as one of the top signing classes in our history among a number of great classes. All five members have been part of the Youth National Team program and we will look for them all to contribute immediately to our fall campaign."

Lewis is a 5-5 forward who hails from Tesoro High School in Rancho Santa Margarita. She is a two-time NSCAA and Parade Magazine All-American, receiving recognition in 2003 and '04. Lewis plays club for Laguna Hills Eclipse and has earned a club national championship. She will reunite with current Bronco Brittany Klein, who also played for the Eclipse. Her national team experience includes stints with the U19, U17 and U16 National Teams. Lewis is also a standout in the classroom, and is set to graduate this spring with honors, based on a 4.2 GPA.

McCray is a 5-8 goalkeeper from San Marin High School in Novato, where she earned NSCAA adidas All-America honors last season, and also earned All-League honors. One of the top netminders in this year's graduating prep class year, her national team experience includes participation with the U19, U17 and U16 National Teams, and she plays club for the Central Marin Magic. She is also a standout in the classroom, holding a 3.96 GPA.

Poach is a 5-6 midfielder/forward out of Bowie (Md.) High School. Also a two-time NSCAA All-American, she led Bowie to the 2002 state semifinals en route to earning first team All-County honors. Poach plays club for Bethesda Excel. Her national team experience includes stints with the U19, U17, U16 & U15 National Teams, earning a silver medal at the 2003 ODP Nationals and receiving the tournament's Golden Boot. Poach was also a 2003 U.S. Youth National Finalist and carries a 3.7 GPA as a member of Bowie's honor roll.

Potts is a 5-5 defender from nearby San Ramon Valley High School in Danville. She was selected to the 2003 NSCAA adidas Youth All-America team and she also earned multiple All-East Bay Athletic League honors. Her national team experience includes stints with the U17, U16 & U15 National Teams, She plays for the Pleasanton Rage Soccer Club and once on the mission campus, will be reunited with former club teammate and current Bronco Tina Estrada. In the classroom, she carries a 3.0 GPA.

Siegel is another 5-4 midfielder from Maryland and earned 2004 Parade All-American honors at Centennial High School, where she led her team to a share of the 2001 State Championship. As a sophomore, Siegel was named Howard County's Player of the Year and followed with All-County honors in 2003. Her national team experience includes participation with the U19, U17, U16 & U15 National Teams, earning a silver medal at the 2003 ODP Nationals while also receiving U15 All-America honors. Siegel plays club with Poach for Bethesda Excel, where she helped her team reach the 2002 National Finals. In the classroom, Siegel has a 3.5 GPA and is on the honor roll.

Santa Clara traditionally recruits nationally-recognized classes, including last year's incoming freshmen, who were tabbed 15th by Soccer Buzz magazine. SCU's current sophomore class was ranked tops by Soccer America and Soccer Buzz, after Smith signed four players with National Team experience who are now All-West Coast Conference honorees: All-American goalkeeper Julie Ryder, forward Tina Estrada, defender Lauren Zealear and forward Marian Dalmy. Also included in that class were Tiffany Roberts and Elyse Shelger, who boasted regional ODP backgrounds. Soccer Buzz also listed Santa Clara's 1998 signing class as best in the country. The group featured a trio of student-athletes who led the Broncos to the program's first College Cup title: Aly Wagner, Danielle Slaton and Anna Kraus.

This past fall, Santa Clara advanced to its 10th College Cup during the NCAA Championship, falling to eventual champion Notre Dame. The Broncos played arguably one of the toughest schedules in the country, and won their fourth straight West Coast Conference Championship. The Broncos were led by All-Americans Leslie Osborne and Megan Kakadelas.

Bronco Class of 2009