THE NEWEST FROGS!

TCU head soccer coach Dan Abdalla announced Wednesday a list of seven student-athletes who will attend TCU in the fall and begin competition at the start of the 2010 season.
The class is made up of four student-athletes who hail from the state of Texas, two out of California and one from Nevada.

"We are extremely excited about the group that will be joining us here in the fall," said Abdalla. "We have already added Kim Castleberry and Brittany Slyman to our program this spring, so when you add those two with the seven other newcomers, we really have a very dynamic group both on and off the field. I really want to thank and congratulate Mark Plakorus and Michelle Royal for being so instrumental in bringing in such a great group of student-athletes."

Kristen Barg, a midfielder from Plano West, brings a wealth of club experience to Fort Worth after leading the Dallas Texans to both the 2008 USYSA National Championship and the 2009 US Youth Soccer National League Championship. She also helped her club team to four-straight national tournaments, including two-straight National Championship finals. With Barg leading the way, the Dallas Texans have been Region III champions twice, while also claiming runner-up honors in the 2008 USYSA National League. Finally, her club team has excelled in North Texas, capturing two-straight state championships, while playing in the finals in both 2006 and 2007. In her two years of high school soccer, Barg, who was a 2008 first team all-district and all-freshman selection, led Plano West High School to the Texas 5A State Championship in 2008. She has also excelled on the ODP level, playing for the North Texas `92 ODP team for two years.
"Kristen Barg is going to have the ability to play at a number of positions for us. She is very comfortable with the ball at her feet and really maintains possession well. She is extremely quick and knows what it takes to win," said Abdalla.

Brooke Kviz, a defender from Keller, joins the TCU soccer program after collecting four letters in soccer at Keller High School. She earned second-team all-district accolades as a sophomore before collecting first team all-district honors following her junior season. Kviz has played club soccer for Polaris `92 where she guided them to the Region III Championship semifinals in 2008. She also helped them qualify for the North Texas state finals in 2007 and 2009. On the ODP level, Kviz was part of the North Texas '92 ODP squad that captured the 2009 ODP National Championship.

"Brooke Kviz comes to us as a defender who was originally a striker. She moved into the back with her club team and we fell in love with her mentality. She really brings that fight and competitiveness where she is able to set a tone," said Abdalla.

Kelly Johnson, a defender from Chatsworth, Calif., was the 2009 Ventura County Star Player of the Year as well as the Tri Valley League Offensive Player of the Year. A three-time first team CIF Southern Section first team selection, Johnson helped Oaks Christian High School to the CIF Southern Section Championship in 2007 and 2008. She also led Oaks Christian to the California State Regional Finals during the 2008 season. Johnson, who earned Tri Valley League first team honors the last three seasons, also was honored by the Daily News with first team all-area accolades the last three years. Overall, in 91 games she has netted 53 goals, while dishing out 77 assists for Oaks Christian. On the club level, Johnson helped Real So Cal to six-straight Surf College Cup Championships as well as a semi-final appearance at the Far West Regional Championships in 2009. She also has extensive ODP experience as a member of the Cal South 1991 ODP State team. Johnson helped her ODP squad to four-straight regional championships and is a two-time Region IV ODP pool selection. In 2009, she made the Region IV U20 ODP Regional squad.

"Kelly Johnson is one of the best defenders in the country. She is extremely athletic and has a great mentality and commitment in getting forward out of the back. She will be one of the most dangerous players in the country out of the backline. We've watched her leadership grow these past couple of years and that has got us really excited about Kelly's future," said Abdalla.

Kaitlin Hellmann, a midfielder out of Long Beach, Calif., has had a standout career at Wilson Classical High School. The Press Telegram Dream Team selection earned the Golden Boot and Offensive Player of the Year award during her junior season. She was also a first-team all-league selection as well as being a member of the CIF Southern Section team in 2009. The four-year varsity letterwinner also brings a wealth of club experience with her to Fort Worth next fall as she helped the Slammers FC capture five-straight Cal South State Championships and two-straight USYSA Regional Championships. With Hellmann leading the way, the Slammers earned second and third-place finishes at the USYSA National Championships. They also claimed the Gothia Youth Cup World Championship and the Nike Premier Cup Championship.

"Kaitlin Hellmann is another player that was important to add because she will definitely be dangerous for us out of the left side. She loves to run at players and strikes the ball well with both feet. Kaitlin has that bite that we needed to add in the midfield. She is extremely athletic and will be able to do a number of different things for us," said Abdalla.

Maddy Courvoisier, a defender from Las Vegas, Nev., will don the Purple and White next fall after excelling in multiple sports at Faith Lutheran High School. The first team all-state selection in both soccer and track, led the Crusaders to state runner-up honors in 2008. Under Courvoisier's leadership, Faith Lutheran also captured two-straight regional championships. She also helped lead her club team to two state championships. Away from the pitch, Courvoisier excelled in both track and field and basketball. On the hardwood, she earned second-team all-state accolades, while collecting runner-up accolades twice at the Las Vegas State Track and Field meet. The three-time academic all-state selection, netted 26 goals, while dishing out 19 assists at Faith Lutheran.

"Maddy Courvoisier is a great athlete that can play anywhere across the backline. She is very competitive and is able to read the game extremely well. We are really looking forward to the versatility she will add," said Abdalla.

Ashley Jones, a midfielder out of Tyler, comes to Fort Worth after collecting several honors at Robert E. Lee High School. A three-time All-East Texas honoree, including first team in 2007, Jones was a first team all-district selection in both 2007 and 2009. She also collected second team all-district in 2008 as well as academic all-district honors the last three years. Jones played club ball for the Sting Soccer Club.

"Ashley Jones is a very athletic outside midfielder. She has good pace to her and likes to go at players. We've also watched her mature into a goal scorer this high school season, which is exciting," said Abdalla.

Gabbi Dougherty, a goalkeeper from Euless, comes to TCU following a solid high school career at Colleyville Heritage High School in which she led the Panthers to two-straight district championships. Has also excelled in the classroom as she is a member of the National Honor Society, while also earning the 2009 College Board AP Scholar award.

"Gabbi Dougherty comes in as a goalkeeper and is a very hard worker. She has great technical ability and is really just the type of kid you want to have be part of your program because of her work ethic and determination," said Abdalla.

The seven newcomers will join recent additions Kim Castleberry and Brittany Slyman.

Castleberry comes to TCU from Texas A&M where she played in 25 games, including 10 starts this past fall. The McKinney native netted two goals during the 2009 season, while dishing out one assist. Prior to her stint in College Station, Castleberry, who was a two-time All-America honoree by both Parade and the NSCAA, was considered the No. 1 recruit in the nation for the class of 2009 by Top Drawer Soccer. She is currently a member of the U-20 Women's National Team and helped lead her club team to the U-17 US Youth Soccer National Championship in 2008 after earning runner-up honors in 2007. On the ODP level, Castleberry's North Texas team captured the 2008 ODP National Championship. She also excelled on the track during her Prosper High School career as she captured the 400 meters state championship during her junior season, while also placing second overall in the 100 meters twice at the Texas 3A State Track and Field Championships.

Slyman will compete for the Horned Frogs next fall after capturing the Manchester United Premier Cup/Nike Cup Golden Boot award in 2005. The Frisco native brings a wealth of club experience with her to Fort Worth as she also helped lead the Dallas Texans to the 2008 U-17 USYS National Championship. Slyman, who was invited to the 2006 ODP Region III College Showcase, helped the Texans place in the top-3 at the national tournament for three-straight seasons, including second overall in 2007. She was also a member of the North Texas State ODP team, while also being a member of the ODP Regional Pool since 2003. Away from the pitch, Slyman excelled in multiple sports as she earned multiple letters in basketball, softball and track and field. In softball, Slyman, who was an all-state and all-district selection, finished second in the nation in stolen bases, while leading Legacy Christian Academy to state runner-up honors. During her junior year, Slyman earned sixth-place honors in the triple jump at the state track and field meet, while placing fourth overall in both the long and triple jump at the regional meet.