TCU women's soccer head coach Dan Abdalla announced the signing of three student-athletes Thursday who will attend TCU in the fall and begin competition at the start of the 2011 season.
The class is made up of one student-athlete from the Lone Star State to go along with a pair of players out of California.
"We are really excited about the three players that we have coming for the 2011 season," TCU head coach Dan Abdalla said. "I feel that they will address the specific areas will help us improve and compete for championships next season and for many seasons. These girls will do well in our program and I'm just as impressed with their character as I am with their play on the field."
Tori Hale, a forward/midfielder from Abilene, Texas was a two-time team captain and offensive most valuable player at Abilene High School under head coach Brent Camp. The four-year letterwinner has been a first-team all-district selection every season for the Eagles, while also being named the 2010 District 3-5A MVP at the forward position. Hale will bring more athleticism and speed to the Frogs' roster, as she also lettered and earned the role of captain in track, cross country and volleyball for AHS. Hale played her club soccer for the Abilene Soccer Club. Hale's brother, Tyler, is currently playing baseball at the University of Arizona, while other brother, Chris, played baseball for Abilene Christian University. She is also the cousin of current TCU football player, D.J. Yendrey.
"We are happy to sign Tori Hale from Abilene," Abdalla said. "Not a lot of people knew about her because of where she lives, but her athleticism and creativity is extremely dynamic. She will play at the top or in the midfield for us. Every time she touches the ball, she has the ability to change the game."
Natalie Werner is a midfielder from Lake Forest, Calif., that played at Trabuco Hills High School and club soccer for the So Cal Blues. Werner earned most valuable offensive player honors in 2010, while also getting first-team all-league considerations in 2009 and 2010. In her club career, she has helped the Blues to five Surf College Cup championships form 2006-2011 and a USYS National title and National League crown in 2010.
"Natalie Werner has played for a club team that regularly competed for a national championship and she has been an key cog and leader on that team," Abdalla said. "As far as on the field, she is very diverse and she will be able to play anywhere for us."
Rounding out the 2011 class, TCU picked up a goalkeeper from Chino Hills, Calif., in Alicen Wright. Last season, as a junior at Ruben S. Ayala High School, she was named Sierra League Defensive Most Valuable Player and helped lead her squad to an undefeated record and Sierra League Championship. A standout in the classroom, Wright was also named her school's Scholar-Athlete of the Year. She played her club seasons for Legends Football Club. Wright comes from a long line of athletes in her family, as her grandfather, Dominic Patrone played football at Arizona State, her uncle, Lou Patrone, played football at San Jose State, and her cousin, Nancy Ray Johnson was a swimmer at TCU in the mid 1980's.
"Alicen is just a competitor in goal," Abdalla said. "She absolutely hates to lose. I'm excited about the way she organizes and communicates with the back line. She has been in big games, so she has that big-time experience and I'm really looking forward to have her compete for our goalkeeper position."
