4-26-18
CLEVELAND, Ga. (Feb. 18, 2019) – The Truett McConnell University women’s soccer program has announced the addition of eight freshmen for the 2019 season.
“We are very excited about this year’s incoming class,” Head Coach David McDowell said. “We had a very good season this past fall winning the AAC regular season and making it to the NAIA National tournament. The one thing the coaching staff talked about was could we become stronger than last year. With the returning core and this incoming class, I believe we will be stronger. We are losing three very important seniors in Megan McCall(AAC Offensive Player of Year), Carson Batye (AAC 1st Team) and Lauren Huston. However, each year as a program we want to improve and get better and I believe we will be doing just that going into fall 2019.
A lot of time and effort went into recruiting this amazing group of girls and I cannot thank our coaching staff and current players enough. They invest heavily into finding the right fit for our program – girls that pursue excellence in all things and seek to glorify God through the sport of soccer.”
I am very grateful for the team we already have here. This core group of returners have set a very high standard for what is expected here, and they are hungry to keep growing and get better.”
2019 RECTRUITING CLASS:
Nadia Basto
Hometown: Lawrenceville, GA
Position: Center Midfield
School/Club team: Collins Hill High, Atlanta Fire United
Nadia’s parents are Jorge and Abby Basto, and she plans to major in Criminal Justice while at TMU.
She chose TMU because: “When I toured the school I felt I was at home and I knew this is where I was supposed to be. Then I met the girls and I knew that God brought me here for a reason and I am so lucky to be playing here.”
McDowell on Basto: “Nadia is a player that fits our style very well. She is composed in possession, reads the game tremendously and does a great job breaking up the opposing team’s attacks. Her work rate and attitude allows her to cover a lot of space both sides of the ball.”
Kristin Beasley
Hometown: Douglasville, GA
Position: Outside Midfield/Forward
School/Club team: Chapel Hill High, NASA Tophat
Kristin’s parents are Bart and Kathryn Beasley, and she plans to major in Business while at TMU.
She chose TMU because: “I fell in love with the family atmosphere. The girls on the team and the coaches made me feel so welcomed and I knew that I belonged at Truett. I’m so excited and blessed to continue playing the game I love and to grow my relationship with God. Go Bears!!”
McDowell on Beasley: “Kristin is a skillful and dynamic player. Her close control is excellent and her crossing ability is very accurate. Our strikers will love working with her as she is very precise with her delivery into the box.”
Lauren Bergevine
Hometown: Dallas, GA
Position: Center Back
School/Club team: East Paulding High/SSA Chelsea 00 Elite
Lauren’s parents are Russell Bergevine and Linda Bradford, and she plans to major in Biology with a concentration in Pre Health Sciences while at TMU.
She chose TMU because: “It was not just a place where I could only play soccer; it is a place that on top of soccer I can excel academically and grow in my relationship with Christ on the field and in the classroom. I chose TMU because everyone on campus wants you to be the best you can be and they encourage you to make a stand for Christ in whatever you do in your life!”
Coach McDowell on Bergevine: “Lauren is a very strong center back. She has played on a very good club team receiving a lot of good coaching and she comes to us very much ‘college-ready’. Her ability to read the game defensively is superb, her distribution from the back suits us tremendously and she will also be a threat on set pieces.”
Lyndsey Darden
Hometown: McDonough, GA
Position: Center Back/Midfield
School/Club team: Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy, AFC Lightning
Lyndsey’s parents are Michael and Alicia Darden, and she plans to major in either Exercise Science or English while at TMU.
She chose TMU because: “I really enjoyed the atmosphere up in north Georgia, both academically, athletically, and spiritually. I also had a chance to really bond with the girls on the team as I stayed overnight with a few freshmen. The team really preached the way they feel about one another and Jesus Christ.”
Coach McDowell on Darden: “Lyndsey is quick and athletic and has the ability to play a couple of positions for us. She moves the ball well, connects the lines but is also a very strong defender. Her versatility and ability to play at a high level in several positions will be of great benefit to us.”
Haley Davis
Hometown: Newnan, GA
Position: Center Forward
School/Club team: East Coweta High, AFC 01 Gold NPL
Haley’s parents are Lou and Denyel Davis, and she plans to major in Exercise Science while at TMU.
She chose TMU because: “For many reasons! I loved the close knit relationship between the coaches, the players, and God! I felt at home and welcomed by everyone I encountered. I loved everything about Truett McConnell and cannot wait to see what God has in store!”
Coach McDowell on Davis: “Haley is an excellent striker who will thrive in our system. She can do great job as a target striker but also has the ability to play on the shoulder of center backs and get in behind the back line. Her strength, movement and finishing ability will add much to our front line.”
Sophia Kay
Hometown: Winder, GA
Position: Center Midfield/Forward
School/Club team: Winder-Barrow High, GSA 01 ECNL Composite
Sophia’s parents are Eric and Amy, and she plans to major in Early Childhood Education while at TMU.
She chose TMU because: “Because I love the location and the atmosphere of the College. I also loved the team chemistry and I know that’s where God is calling me to be.”
Coach McDowell on Kay: “Sophia is a unique player in that she is very creative with great vision. In the final third, she sees the field superbly and can unlock defenses with her passing and bravery. She will connect the lines between midfield and forward very well and will give us a creative spark going forward.”
Mallory Land
Hometown: Gainesville, GA
Position: Full back
School/Club team: North Hall High/LSA
Mallory’s parents are Susan and Richard Land, and she plans to major in Nursing while at TMU.
She chose TMU because: “For several reasons: the nursing program, the soccer staff and team, the Christian values that are shared throughout the students, and the family atmosphere!”
Coach McDowell on Land: “Mallory is a hard-working and determined player who can play several different positions for us. Her simplicity of play and attitude will fit right in with who we are and I look forward to seeing her develop at the collegiate level.”
Madison Wright
Hometown: Fayetteville, GA
Position: Midfield
School/Club team: Whitewater High, AFC Lightning
Madison’s parents are Deana and Johnny Wright, and she plans to major in Business while at TMU.
She chose TMU because: “The beautiful campus instantly made me feel at home, as everyone I met was so nice and friendly. The whole atmosphere made my decision easy, and I can’t wait to be a Bear!”
Coach McDowell on Wright: “Madison is a dynamic player who has strong individual ability and competitive drive. She can take over games and dictate things from the midfield areas. Madison is also calm on the ball and maintains possession very well, but also works hard getting into advanced positions. Her understanding of which space she needs to attack is impressive, and I look forward to her impact on our program.”
