Feb. 20, 2007

Soccer: Penguins Add Three Recruits to 2007 Team

     Youngstown -- Strikers Sierra Lawson (Gilbert, Az.) and Taylor Pickens (Cleveland Heights, Ohio) and midfielder Tara Morey (Pittsgrove, N.J.) have signed National Letters of Intent to continue their academic and soccer careers at Youngstown State, Head Coach Anthony James announced on Wednesday.
     James, who will be in his fourth year with the program this fall, said he is looking forward to coaching the new student athletes.
    "It is my hope that this class, together with the future student-athletes, will provide the much needed depth that we lacked last season when we were ravaged with numerous injuries and illnesses."

   Lawson was a two-time All-Conference selection as well as female athlete of the year and rookie of the year at Vanden High School. She won a state championship and a Copa Coca Cola National Championship with her club team the Sereno Soccer Club.

    "Sierra gives us the speed and athleticism we have been looking for in a striker for the past three seasons," said James.  "She is very comfortable running at defenders with the ball at her feet and often finds various means to get in behind opposing teams defenses. If needed, I feel like we can also use her as an outside midfield player. She will be an excellent addition to our program."

    Pickens has been a two-time All-Greater Cleveland selection,former Lake Erie Player of the Year and leading scorer for Cleveland Heights High School. She was also named a two-time captain. Pickens is currently a member of the U-18 Ohio North State Champion Cleveland Cobras Soccer Club.

     "Taylor will be an added threat to our attack. She is very creative on the ball and is well known for her ability to score goals from distance," said James. "Her physical presence at 5’9” and her ability to play with her back to goal will give us the opportunity to use her as a target player."

    Morey was a four-year varsity starter at P. Schalick High School .While there she won three Tri County Conference championships and won the South Jersey Championship on two occasions. Tara also played an integral part in her high school team's run to their first-ever New Jersey state final appearance. For her efforts during her high school career, she was voted to the All-Conference team on three occasions. Tara is a also three-time New Jersey State semi-finalist with her club team the New Jersey Devils. This past summer Morey won a conference championship with AC Diablos in the Women’s Professional Soccer League.

     "Tara will be a tremendous addition to our midfield. She possesses good field awareness and is a technically sound player. She is very good at solving problems under pressure and would be depended upon to assist the team in sustaining our attack in the middle to final third. She is extremely quick and also has a very good work ethic." said James.