CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi head women's soccer coach
Craig Shaw has announced the signing of five young women to his program via National Signing Day. This year's signing class includes three athletes from across the state of Texas, one from New Jersey and one from Colorado.
Under Shaw's leadership, the Islanders recorded their best season in program history in 2019, setting program records in single season wins (9) and conference wins (6). In addition, A&M-Corpus Christi advanced to the Southland Conference Tournament semifinals for the first time ever and junior goalkeeper
Kyleigh Hall was named Southland Goalkeeper of the Year. For an in depth look at each signee and a few words from coach Shaw, please see below.
Name: Reese Cross
Hometown: Celina, Texas
High School: Prosper High School
Position: Outside Back
Height: 5'4''
Awards/Recognition: Second Team All-Academic (freshman); First Team All-District (sophomore & junior); Prosper HS Player of the Year (junior)
Head Coach
Craig Shaw:
"She is a player that impressed my assistants back in early 2017 and then me at our summer camp that same year. She is a tenacious outside defender that will love the way we play by getting forward into the attack. She might look small in stature but she plays like she 6 foot and when you get tackled by her you will know it."
Name: Maggie Murray
Hometown: Cranford, New Jersey
High School: Cranford High School
Position: Forward
Height: 5'4''
Awards/Recognition: Third Team All-State (junior); Conference Player of the Year (junior); Top 20 Regional selection (junior); First team All Watchung Conference (junior); First Team All-County (junior).
Head Coach
Craig Shaw: "A great recommendation from a former assistant who is working out on the east coast. She came to our residential camp this past summer and she blew us away with her speed and willingness to take on defenders. She is going to be one of the fastest players in the conference and loves scoring goals."
Name: Kennedy Stelling
Hometown: Rowlett, Texas
High School: Rowlett High School
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6'0''
Awards/Recognition: District 10-6A Goalkeeper of the Year (junior)
Head Coach
Craig Shaw:
"It has been great watching her growth over the past 2 years. Kennedy has been getting better and better (and possibly taller) every time we see her. She has a huge presence in goal standing at 6 feet and moves very well. Kennedy is going to develop into a top Division I goal keeper."
Name: Olivia Alvarez
Hometown: Arlington, Texas
High School: Arlington High School
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5'4''
Awards/Recognition: Second Team All-District (freshman); First Team All-District (sophomore); Second Team All-State (junior)
Head Coach
Craig Shaw:
"Olivia is an amazing pick up for our program. She is possibly one of the best attacking mids in the Dallas area. I am going to have so much fun coaching her creativity and goal scoring threat from midfield. We got her over numerous Southland schools and I can not wait to start working with her."
Name: Jayden Rea
Hometown: Thornton, Colo.
High School: Broomfield High School
Position: Attacking Midfield
Height: 5'3''
Awards/Recognition: Academic All-State (freshman-junior)
Head Coach
Craig Shaw: "Jayden has such a determination to get better as a soccer player and that is shown by her commitment to play US Development Academy this past year. She is a high quality outside back who is strong in a tackle and hardly ever gives the ball away. The second great outside back addition this recruiting class."
