Neresa Taylor Class: Junior Hometown: Beaumont, Texas High School: Monsignor Kelly HS Height: 5-4 Position: Defender

2007 (Sophomore)
Converted forward who used her blazing speed to become a stalwart defender ... started all 22 matches, helping the Miners' defense to six shutouts and a goals against average of 1.28 ... efforts ranked seventh all time at UTEP ... workhouse player, as Taylor averaged the third-highest mpg (82.7) on the squad ... set up Tameka Sumter's match-winning strike in the 2-1 triumph against St. Mary's.

2006 (Freshman)
Reserve midfielder/forward who appeared in nine games off the bench after being saddled with injuries early in the campaign ... played a season-high 27 minutes against Marshall ... attempted two shots in 3-2 win against UAB ... named to C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll.

Monsignor Kelly High School
Three-year letterwinner for Roger McNonter at Monsignor Kelly High School ... scored 15 goals as a junior ... MKHS finished second at the PNG Tournament ... also ran track and finished fourth in the state in the 100 meters.

Club
Was an Olympic Development Program team member and played on the Spindletop Select for coach Jorge Cruz ... scored 13 goals in 2005.

Personal
Full name is Neresa Toya Taylor ... a general studies major ... born on Oct. 15, 1987 ... daughter of Luther and the late Patricia Taylor ... has one brother, Anthony ... learned to play soccer when she was five-years-old by playing against her brother.