Feb. 7, 2008

Already one of the top programs in the region and the country, the UTEP soccer team ensured it would continue its unprecedented success in recent years by inking six talented players for the 2008 season. Head coach Kevin Cross unveiled the class Thursday afternoon, which features two midfielders, two forwards, one defender and one goalkeeper. 

"We are very excited about our recruiting class of 2008, and are very happy they chose to join the UTEP Soccer family," head coach Kevin Cross said. "We feel this class will help us achieve our team goals for the 2008 season, as they will add great strength to the UTEP squad. 

"I am very appreciative of everyone's hard work to make these players choose to make UTEP their college home. I want to thank my soccer staff, Holly Cohen and Kelly Parker, our academic advisor, Gina Spencer, our trainer, Tom Lechtenberg, our strength coach, Coach Adamson, our sport administrator, Lisa Campos, and especially the current UTEP Soccer players.  Recruiting is very competitive and we appreciate all of these people giving up their valuable time to help the UTEP Soccer program grow."

UTEP's signees are as follows:

Samantha Cole, Midfielder

Four-year starter at John Marshall High School for coach Stacey Reyes ... first-team all-district honoree as a sophomore and junior ... helped lead squad to district championship in 2007 ... garnered honorable-mention all-district accolades as a freshman ...has played for the 91 Classic Elites of the Premier League since 2005 ... has been coached by Tony Tommassi and by Lance Key ... began playing soccer at the age of 7 ... joined her first club team, the AC  Storm, less than two years later ... resides in San Antonio, Texas, with her parents Al and Tamara ... has a brother, Christopher, 13 ... born 8/26/90.

Felicia Jones, Forward

Member of St. Marguerite D'Youville Catholic Secondary School team ... highlights include pacing squad in scoring as freshman and junior ... named MVP as a junior ... started club soccer at age 10 ... has led squad to a quintet of five league championships ... has claimed first place in the T.P.R. provisional ranking the past two years and is poised for third consecutive crown ... league MVP in 2003 ... second-place honors for the Golden Boot in 2004 and 2006 ... began playing soccer at age of nine ... trained seven days a week throughout her elementary years ... also recruited to the regional and provincial teams, which showcased top Canadian talent ... enjoys coaching and mentoring kids age 5-11 in her free time ... has two siblings, Ryan, 11, and Nikolas, 7  ... parents are Marie and Andrew Jones ... lives with Marie and Afzal Khan ... born 9/17/90

Sara Kaltwasser, Goalkeeper

Four-year letterwinner and three-year starter at Garland High School ... served as captain since junior season ... first-team all-district goal keeper after helping squad advance to the regional tournament ... netted honorable-mention all-district honors in 2007 ... grabbed team MVP accolades ... three-time member (2006, 2007 and 2008) of the Richardson Ice Bowl Soccer Tournament all-tournament team ... tabbed to the all-tournament squad at the Frisco/Dr. Pink Soccer tournament in 2008 ... began playing soccer at age of 4 ... joined club team, North Texas Strikers in 2002, and has started every match ... competed in the regional ODP in 2004 ... will graduate in the top-20 percent of her class ... is in the international baccalaureate program ... member of the National Honor Society, Spanish National Society, Beta Club and the Honors Orchestra ... residers in Rowlett, Texas, with her parents Shirley and Don Kaltwasser ... born 6/18/90.

Jessica Pettit, Defender/Forward

Four-year starter at MacArthur High School for coach Lisa Mazur ... unanimous selection to the all-area super team ... was the only freshman to be so honored ... also unanimous member of San Antonio Express News all-district first team and TASCO region IV squad each season as well ... has led MHS in scoring and assists past two seasons ... named the Class 5A MVP and was runner up for Player of the Year accolades as a sophomore ... tabbed the Express-News' Newcomer of the Year as a freshman ... squad appeared in state semifinal games in 2005 and 2006 ... began playing soccer at age of 8, before focusing on club action in 2000 ... member of the San Antonio Elite 90s squad, which is directed by Mike Alderson ... has started for seven years, playing several positions ...   track standout, as well, as she was a regional qualifier as part of the 400m relay team in 2007 ... will graduate in the top-20 percent of her class ... daughter of Janet and Steve Pettit ... has a sister, Shannon, 14 ... born 4/9/90.

Brittany Thornton, Forward

Standout performer for Cedar Hill High School (Texas) ... led her squad and the district in goals as a sophomore ... garnered placement on the all-district team as a junior despite missing three-fourths of the campaign due to an injured wrist ... elevated to varsity level after lighting up the competition on the JV squad as a freshman ... entered club play in 2005 as member of ASG ... paced team in scoring to help guide it into the Lake Highlands Division 2 league ... joined ASG Dallas Gold West DI West Premiere squad in 2006, under the leadership of club director Dave Dir and head coach Dave Kunitz ... also a letterwinner with the track team, competing in the 100m, 200m, 4x100 relay and 4x200 relay ... resides with her parents, Rodney and Tara Thornton, in Cedar Hill, Texas ... has three sisters, Teara, 20, Chelsie, 15, and Nadia, 6, and one brother, Rodney II, 12 ... born 9/2/90.

Brittany Vacca, Midfielder

2007 district MVP for Abilene Wylie and coach David Wood ... tabbed district's offensive MVP as a sophomore in 2006 ... squad advanced to the regional semifinals in 2006 and regional finals in 20007 ... two-time member of the TASCO region I squad ... spent freshman year at Abilene Copper under guidance of coach Toby Walker ... was the starting center midfielder and selected as first-team all-district ... started club soccer in fall of 2000 with Abilene Soccer Club ... then moved to D'Feeters Soccer Club ... squad won 2006 Disney Showcase, 2007 State cup ... and was a 2006 and 2007 region 3 championships semifinalist ... squad has been ranked as high as No. 1 in the country ... is the starting outside midfielder ... garnered placement on the North Texas State Soccer Association ODP team in 2001 and played on the '89 and '90 teams the past seven years ... competed with '89 squad at the ODP national championships ... track & field standout, as well, regionally qualifying for the pole vault in 2005 and 2006 ... member of the National Honor Society and ranked in the top-10 percent of her class ... daughter of Kim and Scott Vacca ... has on older brother, Sean ... born 2/11/90.