Lady Buster Soccer

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            GCCC's Reyes Inks with NCAA Division I South Dakota

As he will do with any of his players who have an interest of continuing a collegiate career in soccer after Garden City Community College, women's soccer coach Jeff Huffman sat down with sophomore defensive specialist Irma Reyes.

Reyes

He talked to her about what part of the country she might be looking to move to and about at what level of collegiate soccer could she play. When they were done Huffman began looking and found the University of South Dakota as an option. The South Dakota coach, Marcia Oliveira, told Huffman she would take a look at video he sent her, by the time she had viewed Reyes' play, Oliveira felt comfortable offering her a scholarship..more..

LADY BUSTERS RECEIVE COLORADO SPRINGS COMMITMENT

Ever since the program’s inception in 2005, the Lady Busters have had at least one player from the neighboring state of Colorado on the roster. Starting with Ashley Olson-team captain in 2005 and 2006 who hailed from Fort Collins-Coach Huffman has always been able to get at least one player from the Centennial State to be on his roster each season. Erin Ware-a backline player from Colorado Spring’s Rampart High School-becomes the latest in a line of players that will suit up for the Lady Busters that arrive from the Colorado Springs area. Jaime Hainge was a forward for the Lady Busters in 2006 while Mary Jones-who leaves the program as the school’s all time leading goal scorer with 15-played at Fountain Fort Carson High School. Coincidentally, Fountain Fort Carson and Rampart play in the Colorado Springs Metro League 5A.

Ware was a three year letter winner at Rampart, as she fell two games short her freshman year of being a four year letter winner. In Erin’s junior season at Rampart, the team finished the season with a strong 12-3-1 record and advanced to the Class 5A (largest classification in Colorado) post season tournament for the first team in 12 years. Ware was rewarded for her efforts by being selected as an Honorable Mention Colorado Springs Metro League pick. Her senior season saw her high school team advance to the state post season tournament for the second consecutive season. In addition, Ware was an Academic All State selectee both her junior and senior years.

While at Rampart, Ware also excelled in softball. She was a varsity letter winner all four years in softball, as her team made the 16 team Class 5A State Tournament her junior season. She was an Academic All State selectee both her junior and senior years for the sport of softball as well.

Coach Huffman stated, “Erin was one of those high school players that did not play club soccer and thus, fell through the cracks from a recruiting standpoint. I feel fortunate a player of her caliber was still available so late in the recruiting process and wanted to play collegiate soccer if the right opportunity presented itself. I look for Erin to step in and compete for playing time in-what is turning out to be-a very crowded list of candidates for spots in the back line.”

HIMPLE PROVIDES ANOTHER FIRST FOR THE ENTIRE BUSTER SOCCER PROGRAM

Going into the offseason, Coach Huffman knew he was going to have to replace 3 of his 4 back line players due to graduation. However, he did not realize that one of his future back line commitments would come from a state that had never been associated before with Buster Soccer-either on the men’s or women’s side. Nor did he realize it would take a coaching colleague to help find this player.

Amanda Himple-a Twin Falls, Idaho native-becomes the ninth commitment for the Lady Busters of the Class of 2009. Himple was a team captain her senior season at Twin Falls High School. They finished 2nd in the High Country Conference and made it for the first time ever to the “Elite Eight” of the Idaho Class 5A State Tournament (highest classification in Idaho). As a three year varsity player, she found herself playing either as an outside back or as a sweeper. Himple also played 7 years for the Twin Falls Rapids Soccer Club.

Coach Huffman stated, “Vince Gibson-a former head coach at Dodge City Community College and Twin Falls native-told me about this back line player in Twin Falls. He said that she would definitely be able to compete in the Jayhawk Conference. She came for a visit in June, as we were able to quickly receive a commitment from her. “

PLAYER FROM 05’ SQUAD COMING BACK FOR ENCORE

Xochilt Morales-a 2005 Garden City High School graduate and member of the inaugural Lady Buster squad in 2005-has signed a Letter of Intent to play her sophomore season for a squad coming off their first ever winning season in program history.

Morales started all 14 games for a team in 2005 that started a streak of four consecutive Region 6 tournament appearances. Since using up her first year of eligibility, Morales has competed for the Southwestern Kansas Adult League power Cobra’s. Cobra’s won the Southwestern Kansas Adult League post season championships from 2006-2008, while winning the regular season championship in 2006 and 2007. Morales will play for the Cobra’s in the summer of 2009 with fellow incoming freshman Irma Reyes and Marisela Lira.

Head Women’s Soccer Coach Jeff Huffman stated, “Xochilt had an excellent spring semester academically, as she let me know her desire early in the semester to return to the team if possible. Xochilt has matured as an individual over these last four years. She has a defined goal and purpose of what she wants to achieve, as she is very much excited to once again step in to a Lady Buster uniform.”

De Luca Becomes First New Mexico Commitment of 2009 Class

Coach Huffman continued to repair a front line that lost forwards Melvi Ojeda and Mary Jones to graduation with the commitment of Dayna De Luca. Coach Huffman had the opportunity to see De Luca compete at the outdoor Colorado Showcase over Memorial Day weekend in May 2008, got in contact with one another in February of 2009 and saw De Luca commit soon after her visit in March 2009.

De Luca played her club soccer for the Albuquerque United Football Club- a club based out of Albuquerque, NM that consists of 26 teams and offers a youth developmental program. De Luca played under both Art Ortega and Mike Stone. With AUFC De Luca competed in the Albuquerque based Duke City Soccer League, as De Luca was a four year member of AUFC. De Luca played her high school soccer for New Mexico Class 5A state power Eldorado High School. As a member of the varsity soccer team in the fall of 2008, Eldorado made it to the Class 5A state final.

Head Women’s Soccer Coach Jeff Huffman stated, “Dayna is a tough, physical front runner. She has above average speed and quickness and is one who likes to pressure defenders all over the field with her high work rate. She is the type that just likes to get it and go. Her direct style of play will for sure see her score goals in the Jayhawk Conference."

LADY BUSTERS SIGN FIRST IN STATE, OUT OF COUNTY PLAYER FOR 2009

Brooke Feikert- a senior utility player from Derby High School-becomes the fifth commitment for the Lady Buster class of 2009. Head Women’s Soccer Coach Jeff Huffman had the opportunity to see Brooke compete at the annual Titan Classic in Wichita, KS in March 2008. Contact between the two parties was made in November in 2008, with Brooke committing to becoming a Lady Buster in March of 2009.

Feikert played her club soccer for the EFC Spirit-based out of Wichita- her freshman thru junior year of high school. In Brooke’s junior year (the fall of 2007), the team won the Sedgwick County Soccer Association High School “A” Division. In Brooke’s senior season, the team broke away from EFC, competing as just the Spirit in the High School “A” Division once again.

Feikert is a two year varsity player at Derby High School. In her junior season, she played in the forward role. Her senior season saw her play in a central midfield role, where she garnered Second Team Division 1 Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail Conference honors. GCCC Head Women’s Soccer Coach Jeff Huffman stated, “The beautiful thing about Brooke is her ability to play in various positions on the pitch. From goalkeeper to forward, she has played them all competitively.  Brooke’s versatility will allow me the ability to plug her in as the team needs her in the fall of 2009.”

LADY BUSTERS GET FIRST COLORADO COMMITMENT OF 09’ CLASS

Going in to the 2008 season, Coach Huffman knew that part of the 09’ recruiting class was going to have to include some goal scorers. With both forwards lost due to graduation and scoring only 1.73 goals per game in the fall of 2008, Coach Huffman feels he is off to a good start in repairing his front line with the 2009 commitment Courtne Brouillette of Wheat Ridge, CO.

Brouillette played her club soccer in Colorado for the very competitive Wheat Ridge Avalanche. At the U-16 and U-17 age levels, the Avalanche participated in the Colorado State League in the Premier 1 Division (second highest division). At the U-18 age level, they advanced to the top division by playing in the Elite Division. During this time, she would guest play for the Colorado Edge Select at various showcase tournaments. This is where Coach Huffman saw her, as she participated for the Edge in the Texas Cup in November of 2007.

At the high school level, Brouillette played her freshman-junior seasons at Wheat Ridge High School, playing varsity her junior season. Wheat Ridge is a 4A high school, as 5A is the highest classification for soccer in Colorado.

Coach Huffman stated, “Courtne has always played up an age division while playing competitive youth soccer, as she has been forced into bringing a solid effort every time she steps on the field. I definitely was in need of someone who could put the ball in the back of the net, as Courtne will be given every opportunity to do this for two seasons.

LIRA BECOMES FIRST IN STATE COMMITMENT

Coach Huffman announces his first in state signing of the Class of 2009 in Garden City High School product Marisela Lira. Lira enters the spring season as a 3 year varsity player, with 2 of those years being a full time starter. Lira achieved Honorable Mention All-WAC status after her junior campaign. Garden City High School has won three straight regional championships, being only one game away in each of those three seasons from making it to the Class 6A State Tournament.

Outside of high school soccer, Marisela plays in the Southwest Kansas Adult League for Cobra’s. Cobra’s is coached by Rey Ramirez-a former Buster soccer player and captain of the 2005 men’s team at GCCC. Cobra’s has been one of the top teams in the Southwest Kansas Adult League in recent years, winning the post season championship tournament in each of the last two years.

Head Women’s Soccer Coach Jeff Huffman stated, “ I am happy that Marisela has decided to stay in Garden City and pursue the opportunities available for her here as a student athlete. I definitely foresee Marisela stepping in to an outside back role and getting major minutes in the fall. With our program losing 3 of our 4 starting backs to graduation, Marisela is coming in at a good time in regards to being able to establish herself as a quality back in the Jayhawk Conference from the outset.”

REYES BECOMES SECOND BUFFALO TO COMMIT

Irma Reyes-an outside midfielder/forward of Kansas Class 6A state power Garden City High School-is the second Buffalo to commit to Garden City Community College. Reyes enters the spring season as a 2 year varsity player, with her junior campaign seeing her as a full time starter. Garden City High School has won three straight regional championships, being only one game away in each of those three seasons from making it to the Class 6A State Tournament.

Outside of high school soccer, Reyes plays in the Southwest Kansas Adult League for Cobra’s. Cobra’s is coached by Rey Ramirez-a former Buster soccer player and captain of the 2005 men’s team at GCCC. Cobra’s has been one of the top teams in the Southwest Kansas Adult League in recent years, winning the post season championship tournament in each of the last two years.

Head Women’s Soccer Coach Jeff Huffman stated, “ Irma will be looked upon to step in and compete for minutes right away in the outside midfield role. It is also nice to have someone who has received valuable experience as a forward, as Irma could be called upon at times to fill that position depending upon our personnel. Irma has a strong upside, as I definitely see her stepping on the field and holding her own against Jayhawk Conference competition.”

TEXAN BECOMES FIRST COMMITMENT IN 09’ CLASS

When Coach Huffman started the men’s soccer program in 2005, he found out of state recruiting success immediately in the state of New Mexico. That recruiting success has turned into the state of Florida on the men’s side. On the women’s side, Coach Huffman is now finding his out of state recruiting success in a state the men’s side does not even touch-Texas.

Veronica Anderson- a back line player out of Weatherford, TX- becomes the first commitment for the Lady Busters in the Class of 2009’. At the U-17 age level, Anderson played her club soccer for Fort Worth United. Currently at the U-18 age level she plays for the Fort Worth FC 91 Girls White squad of the Lake Highlands Girls Classic League Division 3. Anderson is a two year varsity player at Class 5A Weatherford High School. In her junior season, Weatherford made it to the second round of the district playoffs. At the end of the season, Anderson was voted Most Improved Player by her team.

Coach Huffman had his first opportunity to see Veronica in action at the 2008 Texas Cup over Thanksgiving weekend and saw the characteristics of a player that he likes in his back line.  “We are a physical team in the back third of the field, as we will hold/grab/clutch and do what is necessary to make sure one does not get in behind us. Veronica is not afraid to get stuck in tackle and will bring a physical style that will mesh in well with what we are trying to accomplish in the back third, “Head Women’s Soccer Coach Jeff Huffman stated.

EASON NAMED ALL REGION/ALL CONFERENCE

Taylor Eason-a freshman center back from Austin, Texas-becomes the third Lady Buster ever named to the Region 6 and Kansas Jayhawk Conference squads. She joins 2005 and 2006 recipient Jackie Cojon and 2007 recipient Brooke Lindholm. Eason anchored a back line that posted three shutouts and allowed only one goal in seven other games.

Eason played for three seasons with the Lone Star Soccer Club and their 90’white team-based out of Austin, TX. Her fourth season saw her compete for the Lone Star Soccer Clubs 90’ red squad. While with the white squad, she was coached by Hue Menzies-former assistant coach at NCAA Division 1 power University of Texas and a former staff instructor for both the North and South Texas ODP staffs, respectively.

 “Taylor definitely bought a sense of stability in the back third that allowed us to be “in” every game this season minus one,” stated Head Women’s Soccer Coach Jeff Huffman. “Our goalkeeper was a freshman and two of our other back line players-though sophomores- did not play in the back line their freshman seasons. Taylor saved us on many of occasions, as her selection is well deserved. I trust she will use the knowledge she gained from the 2008 season to help-what will be-three new back line players in 2009.”