Cleveland, Tenn. — Just a few days after national signing day, Lee University soccer head coach Chris Hennessey announced on Friday the addition of four new players that signed their letters of intent to join the team for the fall of 2016.
The addition of the five new players will certainly help add to the depth and quality of the team next season.
- Carly Smoltz; Alpharetta, GA, Kings Ridge Christian School
- Laila Dilts; Carmel, IN, Guerin Catholic High School
- Nicole Ford; Ooltewah, TN, East Hamilton High School
- Emma Higgins; Chattanooga, TN, Notre Dame High School
Hennessey will enter his second season as head coach of the Lady Flames and looks to add more depth to the roster by bringing in five players who have experience of playing at very high levels with their respective club teams.
"I am really happy with the five commitments we are bringing in for the 2016 season." Hennessey stated. "They will certainly add to the strength and depth of our roster. Last year we were pretty thin throughout the majority of the season given all the injuries that occurred. This year not only are we adding more numbers, but all of them will certainly push to play and will most definitely improve our roster from top to bottom. Overall this is a great group who want to succeed at Lee."
The Flames only graduated one player from the 2015 team, Laura Thacker. Laura will no doubt be a big loss for the team, but the encouraging fact is they return everyone else; and with the team's late season run through conference play and getting a bid into the NCAA tournament, next season should be another exciting one for the Lady Flames.
This year's class consists of players from three different states, with local players Higgins and Ford coming from Tennessee, Dilts joining from Indiana, and Smoltz joining from Georgia. Baker will be joining the team from England after having a lot of success over there with her current club team Brighton & Hove Albion. The Flames ability to recruit on a national and international level has always proven to be a key part of the team's success.
Lee relied heavily on its freshman and sophomores in 2015 (including red-shirt sophomores), with those 14 players seeing significant playing time and combining for 161 starts on the year. The five new additions will join a team whose players have seen considerable playing time over the past year or two, which will certainly help them settle in and adapt during their first year.
Hennessey summed up his feeling on the class by stating, "if you look at this class you will see players with a lot of regional experience and who have played in many championship quality matches. What stands out to me the most, much like our classes in the past, is the energy and enthusiasm they are coming in with. All of these players excel academically and chose Lee because of the quality of education and all around experience they believe they will receive at Lee.
Player Profile: Carly Smoltz – Alpharetta, Ga. – Kings Ridge High School – Forward – Concorde Fire
"Carly is an attack minded player who is able to play a number of positions for us. She is very dynamic and an extremely hard worker. The attribute that stands out most to me about Carly is her natural leadership; she is someone who is prepared to do anything for her teammates and gives everything she has each and every time she steps on the field" - Chris Hennessey
| High School Soccer: |
Academic: |
| Team MVP (9th – 12th grade) |
National Honors Society |
| Best Offensive Player (2011-2014) |
FCA Founder |
| Record goal scorer |
2- year Principal Honor Roll |
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Student Ambassador |
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| Club: Concorde Fire Elite/ECNL |
Personal Data: |
| Region Premier finalist |
Daughter of John Smoltz and Dyan Caso |
| Georgia State finalist |
Height: 5-3 |
| RP3L Championship |
Birthplace: Alpharetta, Ga. |
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Player Profile: Laila Dilts – Carmel, Ind. – Guerin Catholic High School – Defender – Indianapolis Premier SC
"Laila is a solid defender who is quick, strong and very combative. She is excellent in 1v1 situations and possesses great composure on the ball in tight areas. Laila has a strong mentality and is very determined on and off the field." - Chris Hennessey
| High School Soccer: |
Academic: |
| All State ICGSA (2014-2015) |
National Honor Society |
| All District ICSA (2014-2015) |
4-year high school honor roll |
| Golden Eagle Award – 2015 |
All academic state team ISCA |
| All State ISCA Showcase Team – 2015 |
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| Defensive MVP - 2014 |
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| Club: Indianapolis Premier SC |
Personal Data: |
| ECNL Champions League Playoffs - 2015 |
Daughter of Brent and Dee Dilts |
| IN ODP Berlin, Germany Team 2012 |
Height: 5-8 |
| Indiana State Champions (Carmel United) |
Birthplace: Indianapolis, Ind. |
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Player Profile: Nicole Ford – Ooltewah, Tenn. – East Hamilton High School – Midfield – FC Alliance
"Nicole is a fantastic addition to our team this year. She is an accomplished player who has competed at a very high level over the past few years. Nicole has a natural ability to read the game very well. She will certainly only get better during her time here at Lee, and that is an exciting thought" - Chris Hennessey
| High School Soccer: |
Academic: |
| All Region 1st team (2014-2015) |
Student Body Secretary (2015-16) |
| All District 1st team - 2015 |
FCA Member |
| All District offensive MVP - 2015 |
Young-life Member |
| Region Champions (2012, 2014) |
East Hamilton Leadership |
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| Club: FC Alliance |
Personal Data: |
| Disney Showcase finalist - 2016 |
Daughter of Stacie Ford |
| Las Vegas players showcase champion '15 |
Height: 5-5 |
| ODP Region pool - 2013 |
Birthplace: Bear, Del. |
| ODP State team - 2013 |
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Player Profile: Emma Higgins – Chattanooga, Tenn. – Notre Dame High School – Forward – CFC Academy
"Emma is a strong powerful forward and a player who can be counted on to get goals. She is a naturally fit person who covers a lot of ground when she plays. Emma has been very successful at every level she has played at and we fully expect her to make an impact straight away." - Chris Hennessey
| High School Soccer: |
Academic: |
| Best of Preps (2012, 2015) |
National Honor Society |
| Offensive player of the year (2012, 2015) |
Converse Scholarship Award Winner |
| State finalist – 2014 |
High School Honor Roll |
| Sectional champions (2012 – 2015) |
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| Club: CFC Academy |
Personal Data: |
| TN State Champions – 2012 |
Daughter of Cam and Ruthanne Higgins |
| TN State Champions - 2010 |
Height: 5-8 |
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Birthplace: Overland Park, Kan. |
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