VIDEO: Simon Duffy discusses signees
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Entering his second season at the helm, Carson-Newman Women's Soccer Coach Simon Duffy has announced the signing of six recruits for 2018. The team lost just two seniors following 2017 and is poised to add more depth in order to replace Helen Seed and Lauren Wade.
"Strength and depth wasn't something we really had late into last season," Duffy explained. "When we came into those games, they are things I wanted to have. When everyone's here it should be a fun preseason to start, and I think with this class and the returners we can have another great year."
Sydney Bailey, Defender – Knoxville, Tenn.
"Sydney can play anywhere across the backline, but is strongest at outside back," Duffy mentioned. "Another athletic player that is very good with her feet."
Bailey spent her High School years at Hardin Valley Academy helping lead her team to multiple championships while collecting numerous awards during her time. The Hawks were named 2017 Smoky Mountain Cup Champions, which consists of five regional tournaments. Bailey also helped the Hawks grab a regional championship in 2015, as well as 2014 regional and district champions. The Knoxville, Tenn. native earned 2017 TSSAA Girls Soccer Second-Team All-District 4AAA honors while grabbing the HVA Team Award in all four years. "I just felt that Carson-Newman was the best fit for me both academically and athletically," Bailey said.
Emma Daniels, Defender – Knoxville, Tenn.
"Emma will most likely play in the left-back role for us," Duffy said. "Tactically she understands the game well and is very coachable. I'm looking forward to see her develop alongside the two other local freshman defenders."
Emma comes to Mossy Creek from Bearden High School as a dual athlete in soccer and swimming. Daniels helped the Bulldogs collect a regular season district title in three consecutive years from 2015-17, with a district championship in her senior season. That same year, Bearden was the regional runner-up as the team made its first state tournament appearance in eight seasons. Daniels collected All-District and All-Region honors following her senior campaign. "I chose Carson-Newman due to it being a great school academically and having a wonderful soccer program," Daniels exclaimed. "Coach Duffy and the team are all amazing, and I can't wait to spend time with them."
Lainee Griffin, Right Outside Back – Knoxville, Tenn.
"Laine will play as an outside back for us," Coach Duffy stated. "She has a lot of pace and is a tenacious defender. She will add depth for us into the backline."
Lainee, joined by teammate Sydney Bailey, comes to Carson-Newman from Hardin Valley Academy. Griffin competed in both soccer and track during her time as a Hawk. The Hawks were named 2017 Smoky Mountain Cup Champions, which consists of five regional tournaments. Griffin was named 2016 defender of the year, earning all-district and all-region honors during her sophomore and junior seasons. "I liked the team and its coach as it seemed like a family, and I wanted to be one a team that was close as well as near my hometown," Griffin stated.
Lauren Hattery, Midfielder/Forward – Canton, Ohio
"Lauren will play in the center of the park," Coach Duffy said. "She is very comfortable on the ball and can play a variety of passes. She will bolster an already strong core at the position."
Lauren was lauded as one of the top players out of Jackson High School bringing an impressive resume to C-N. In her four years under Frank Gagliardi, Hattery helped the Polar Bears to federal league champs and district titles in all four seasons, to go with a regional championship in her senior season. The Ohio native was a four-time all-federal league, four-time all-county, three-time all-district as well as 2017 Stark County Player of the Year. "It's a great school that has nice weather and the recent success of the soccer team drove me to Jefferson City," Hattery mentioned.
Elena Propst, Forward/Winger – Maiden, N.C.
"Elena was our first signee for 2018," Duffy added. "A fast and tricky winger, she is best when taking on defenders and putting dangerous balls into the box."
Elena joins the Eagles after attending her high school years for the Maiden Blue Devils. Propst was a three-sport athlete in basketball, soccer, and track. The North Carolina native scored 91 career goals at MHS with 34 of those tallies coming during her senior season. She led the team in goals her last three years, as well as the conference during her junior and senior campaigns. Propst earned All-Conference honors three straight years from 2016-18 to go with All-Region honors in 2017. She earned the league's Offensive Player of the Year in 2017. "Carson-Newman has a great Christian atmosphere to go along with its location," Propst said. "Academically it also has an excellent pre-med program and I was driven by the amazing soccer team success."
Kennedy Rankin, Midfielder – Dearborn, Mich.
"Kennedy is transferring in as a senior so she will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience," Duffy said. "She is an attacking midfielder that has an eye for goal. I believe she is at her best while driving at opponent's backline."
Rankin transfers in from Alderson Broaddus University where she led the team in goals and shots during the 2017 campaign. An all-around athlete, Rankin as played seven different sports since attending Edsel Ford High School. The Michigan native earned All-Conference honors in back-to-back seasons in 2014-15, as well as leading the Thunderbirds to a district championship in 2013.
Coach Duffy is expected to add to the list of his recruits in the coming weeks.
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