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Butler Women's Soccer Adds Five in Class of 2006
Feb. 7, 2006 Five prep standouts have signed national letters of intent to join the Butler women's soccer program for the 2006 season, head coach Woody Sherwood announced Tuesday (Feb. 7). The class includes Morgan Cox (Rolling Prairie, Ind.), Abbie Kaul (Fredonia, Wis.), Kenzie Kokta (Brookfield, Wis.), Carolyn Nesline (Worthington, Ohio) and Carrie Twyman (Avon, Ind.). All of the players will finish their prep careers at their respective high schools before joining the Bulldogs this fall. "We were really excited about last year's recruiting class, but due to three of the four players suffering season-ending injuries, we never got to see what that class was capable of," said Sherwood. "This year's class brings as much or more ability. With some key players back from injury and this outstanding `06 class, this team has the potential to have a great year." Cox, a defender/midfielder, is a four-year letterwinner and two-time captain from South Bend St. Joseph High School, where she helped the team to a state runner-up finish in 2003. Her honors include 2004 Indiana Soccer Coaches Association All-Academic selection, the Kiwanis Award for Sportsmanship in 2005 and being named a WHME Student-Athlete of the Week during the 2005 season. Cox has five years of experience on the Indiana ODP state team and helped her Jr. Irish Premier U-17 team to a 2005 State-Cup finalist spot. The honor roll student is also ranked 11th in her class. "Morgan brings a wealth of high level high school and club experience to our team," said Sherwood. "She is technically very sound and has the ability to keep great possession from several different positions on the field." Kaul, a defender/midfielder, led her Ozaukee High School team to the Wisconsin WIAA state championship in both 2003 and 2005 and a semifinalist appearance in 2004. She earned all-conference honors in both 2004 and 2005. Kaul's FC Milwaukee club team is a six-time Wisconsin State Cup champion. Kaul captained the team the past three seasons. She is an honor student.
"Abbie had an outstanding high school and club career," said Sherwood. "We will look for her to help fill the void created by Kate Lord at center back or defensive center mid. She reads the game very well and is exceptional in the air." Kokta, a midfielder, comes highly decorated from Brookfield East High School in Wisconsin. She earned All-Wisconsin, All-area and All-conference honors, in addition to being a four-year varsity starter. The team captain also has extensive experience with the Wisconsin ODP State Team and the Brookfield SA club team. "Kenzie is one of the top playmaking central midfields in Wisconsin," said Sherwood. "We look for her to compete right away for a spot in the midfield." Nesline, a midfielder, was a four-year varsity starter and senior captain at Thomas Worthington High School in Ohio. She led Worthington to a conference championship and earned second-team All-OCC honors as a senior. Nesline also played for the Ohio Premier Club team. "Carolyn is a very versatile player," said Sherwood. "Her athleticism will allow her to compete for playing time at numerous positions. She is a physical player who has the ability to make a huge impact in our program." Twyman, a forward/midfielder, is a product of Avon High School, just outside Indianapolis. A four-year varsity letterwinner and three-year varsity starter, Twyman also served as the team's captain as a senior. She holds the single-season assist record at Avon, which helped her earn first-team all-conference honors as both a junior and senior. Twyman was a first-team all-state selection as a senior, in addition to being a first-team All-Metro West pick in her final two seasons. An honor student, Twyman was an Academic all-state selection as a senior. Avon won sectional and regional championships from 2002-05, while Twyman's club team, the Carmel Craze, was the IYSA state runner-up in 2005. "Carrie brings a tremendous amount of athleticism and outstanding pace to our program," said Sherwood. "Her athleticism will allow her to help us at potentially several positions." Butler loses just three seniors to graduation and is slated to return three of its five players who earned "All-Horizon League" distinctions following the 2005 campaign (Angie Muir, Ashley Twehues and Jenny Southard). The five incoming players will join 16 returning letterwinners and two players who missed the 2005 season as medical redshirts. |
