Champaign, Ill. - The Fighting Illini soccer program and head coach Janet Rayfield will welcome seven new players to the roster for the 2016 season as announced on Thursday, Feb. 4. The 2016 signing class includes Alicia Barker (Woodville, Wash.), Alexandra Carrier (Cincinnati, Ohio), Jaelyn Cunningham (Reynoldsburg, Ohio), Taylor Haynes (Rowlett, Texas), Kelly Maday (Winnetka, Ill.), Lauren Smitherman (Oklahoma City, Okla.) and Arianna Veland (Elkhorn, Neb.).
"I am confident that the class of 2016 is going to have an impact on this program, make a difference in the athletic department and leave a positive mark on this campus," Rayfield said of the new members of the Illinois soccer program. "These seven young women have great individual personalities, high academic standards, and lofty athletic aspirations. I am excited about the contributions they will make on the field, but I also know we have a class that understands the core values of our program, that are committed to those values, and that will be great representatives of Illinois Athletics"
ALICIA BARKER // DEFENDER // WOODINVILLE, WASH.
INGLEMOOR HIGH SCHOOL // FC ALLIANCE PREMIER
Notes:
-2015 All-Conference First Team Defender
-Two-time WSYSA Championship Cup Top IX Player Award winner
-Helped take FC Alliance to two Championship Cup Semifinals
-Played on two ECNL Championship Finalist teams
-2015 Inglemoor High School gymnastics and soccer team captain
-2015 Region IV Camp – G98 participant
-Three-time All-State Gymnastics Qualifier
-Selected to the EDP Travel Team to represent Washington State in the 2013 Region IV ODP Championships
-Plays soccer, runs track and participates on the gymnastics team Inglemoor High School
-Four year Academic Athletic Award recipient
Why Illinois?
"The University of Illinois' strong science and engineering curriculum and competitive soccer program first attracted me to the Midwest, but I really fell in love with the school after I got to meet the players, the coaches, and visited the campus. I immediately felt at home, and I couldn't see myself anywhere else. I am so happy to be an Illini!"
What Rayfield Says:
"Alicia is a great athlete that has only begun to scratch the surface of her abilities as a soccer player. She defends with a great sense of responsibility, trains with incredible focus, and competes with intensity. Alicia has the ability to play centrally or out wide and her ball-winning ability could see her in the midfield as well as our back line. I am also excited to continue a tradition of great Illini players from the state of Washington."
ALEXANDRA CARRIER // DEFENDER // CINCINNATI, OHIO
INDIAN HILL // KINGS HAMMER ACADEMY
Notes:
-2015 NSCAA Fall High School All-American
-Helped Kings Hammer to three State Cup Championship titles
-Helped Kings Hammer advance to the 2015 National Semifinals
-Two-time First Team All-State Ohio selection
-OSSCA Division II Player of the Year
-2016 Cincinnati Enquirer Player of the Year
-2015 Cincinnati Hills League Player of the Year
-Plays both basketball and soccer for Indian Hill
-Three-time CHL Scholar Athlete
-Two-time Academic All Southwest honoree
-Father played collegiate football at USC and professionally for the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions and the Washington Redskins
Why Illinois?
"I chose Illinois because the soccer program and the school had everything I could ask for in a college. The question is why not Illinois?"
What Rayfield Says:
"An imposing figure in any backline, Lexi brings a needed physical presence and height to our backline. She has the physical tools and the ball winning mentality to become a great center back for our program. She is tough to beat and doesn't lose a physical challenge and her defensive style is a great compliment to our current defensive group."
JAELYN CUNNINGHAM // GOALKEEPER // REYNOLDSBURG, OHIO
PICKERINGTON HIGH SCHOOL CENTRAL // KINGS HAMMER ACADEMY
Notes:
-Attended the 2012 Women's National Team Goalkeeper Youth I.D. Camp
-Participated in the 2013 U17 National Team Camp
-Three-year member of the ODP Interregional All Star team
-2014 ODP Thanksgiving Interregional Best XI
-Four year member of her high school honor roll
-Participates in the Service Learning organization
Why Illinois?
"I fell in love with campus right away and I could see myself going here, I think the coaching staff is tremendous. They want you to be successful on and off the field, and they'll do whatever it takes to make that happen. To me, there was no question that Illinois is where I want to spend the next four years."
What Rayfield Says:
"We may have the best goalkeeping group on any campus next fall when we add Jaelyn Cunningham to our goalkeeping team. With natural explosiveness and physical range, Jaelyn will challenge Claire, Michelle and Darci from the first day she steps on campus. Her presence in the goal is strong and she has always been a leader in team environments. Maintaining that confidence as she adapts to the college game will determine her position in what will be an incredible goalkeeping battle. Jaelyn has high athletic goals and I believe she will reach those as she develops throughout her Illini career."
TAYLOR HAYNES // FORWARD // ROWLETT, TEXAS
98 D'FEETERS ECNL // BISHOP LYNCH HIGH SCHOOL
Notes:
-Two-time TAPPS Division I All-State honoree
-TAPPS Division I All-District Forward
-2015 TAPPS Academic All-State Honoree
-2013 Bishop Lynch Soccer Player of the Year
-Helped Bishop Lynch to a 2015 State Championship title
-Scored 20 or more goals in back-to-back seasons for Bishop Lynch
-Member of MU Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society
-Four year member of the Bishop Lynch Honor Roll
-Bishop Lynch Presidential Scholarship recipient
-Father played football at Purdue
Why Illinois?
"I chose Illinois because of the great engineering program and the strong soccer program. The coaches are amongst the most respected in the game, and the team atmosphere is phenomenal."
What Rayfield Says:
"A high school goal-scorer and great student, Taylor joins our Illini family to combine her talents on the field and her passion for engineering. Taylor has a nose for the goal and will help contribute to the offensive side of our program. She can play as a forward but can also combine and use her passing ability to play in the midfield."
KELLY MADAY // FORWARD // WINNETKA, ILL.
NEW TRIER // FC UNITED
Notes:
-2015 Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year finalist
-2015 HS Winter-Spring All-American
-2015 Pioneer Press All-Area Girls Soccer Player of the Year
-Helped New Trier to three consecutive Class 3A State Championship titles
-Two-time New Trier High School Player of the Year
-Chicago Sun Times second-team All-Area selection
-New Trier High School all-time assists record holder
-Helped FC United win the Illinois Youth Soccer U16 State Cup Championship
-Four year member of the New Trier High School Academic Honor Roll
Why Illinois?
"I chose the University of Illinois because of its great academic reputation and the Big Ten atmosphere. When I first visited campus as a soccer recruit, I met with the talented and experienced coaching staff as well as girls on the team and they made feel both comfortable and welcome to be a part of the Illini family."
What Rayfield Says:
"Leading New Trier to three consecutive state championships, shows that Kelly Maday competes and competes to win. Kelly has the ability to beat players 1-v-1 and her relentless attitude in the final third creates chances and makes any team she plays on more dangerous. With Kelly Maday in Orange and Blue the Illini become a more dangerous attacking team for the next four years."
LAUREN SMITHERMAN // DEFENDER // OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLA.
HERITAGE HALL HIGH SCHOOL // TSC HURRICANE
Notes:
-Two-time Oklahoman All-City First Team honoree
-Two-time OSSAA All-District First Team honoree
-Helped her club team to two State Championship titles
-Helped take the Dallas Sting 98' ECNL to a fourth place finish at nationals
-Played basketball and ran cross country and track in addition to soccer
-Participates in the Western Village Mentor Program
-Member of the Feed the Homeless Outreach Program
-Two-year member of the Heritage Hall Honor Roll
Why Illinois?
"I chose Illinois because something about it just felt right. The atmosphere, the coaches and my future teammates were amazing and I felt right at home on my visit. I also made the deciesion early in my recruting process that, depite my love for my home state of Oklahoma, I wanted a change of scenery and an opportunity to create my own legacy and write my own story. Coach Rayfield and Coach Freeman also have an outstanding reputation in the soccer world and it will be an honor to play for them. I'm more than blessed to be a part of that. Go Illini!"
What Rayfield Says:
"Versatile and talented, Lauren Smitherman has played many positions and many roles during her youth and high school careers. As she enters the Illini program, we see a tremendous player who can play outside back for us and use that versatility to be a great defender with a tremendous attacking presence."
ARIANNA VELAND // MIDFIELDER // ELKHORN, NEB.
ELKHORN SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL // OMAHA FC
Notes:
-Three-time EMC All-Conference selection (soccer)
-Omaha World Herald Honorable Mention All-State
-Two-time EMC All-Conference selection (basketball)
-Took Elkhorn South to three state finals games
-Helped Omaha FC to a 2011 State Championship title
-Played both soccer and basketball in high school
-Father played professional football for the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers
Why Illinois?
"I chose the University of Illinois because right when I got to the campus I felt at home. Of all the colleges I visited, everything Illinois had to offer made it feel like the best decision. I loved the coaches, and all the players welcomed me with open arms. The soccer program has always been successful, and to play for one of the best coaches in women's college soccer today is a blessing. I believe that Illinois can help me get to the next level and achieve the goals I have set in place. I plan to major in business, and Illinois has one of the best business schools in the country. On top of playing for a great team I will get a great education as well. I'm very excited for the next four years and am very thankful I have been given this opportunity."
What Rayfield Says:
"A rare two sport athlete in todays culture of youth sports, we will immediately sense and be impacted by Arianna's competitive spirit. Her playing making skills - developed on the court and on the soccer field - are a great foundation for the midfield demands, and her vision and ability on the ball will be what she relies on to compete for playing time in our midfield."
