GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- The Tusculum University women's soccer team has received the commitment of 12 student-athletes to join the Pioneer program for the 2020 season, head coach Mike Joy has announced.
This year's recruiting class includes two sets of high school teammates, and players from Colorado, North Carolina and Texas in addition to seven from Tennessee. Included among the group are three forwards, five midfielders, two defenders and two goalkeepers.
The Pioneers welcome center back Rachel Cook (Carrollton, Texas), forward Hannah Deakins (Dayton, Tenn.), center midfielder Joey Garrett (Colorado Springs, Colo.), goalkeeper Emma Harriman (High Point, North Carolina), midfielder Reagan Harrold (Cleveland, Tenn.), midfielder Ashlie McFarlane (Colorado Springs, Colo.), midfielder Tori Mitchell (Dayton, Tenn.), goalkeeper Grayson Patterson (Maryville, Tenn.), forward Anna Pendleton (Seymour, Tenn.), forward Tyler Taff (Seymour, Tenn.), center back Brenna Weber (Piney Flats, Tenn.) and midfielder Gracie Westhoven (Waynesville, N.C.).
"We are excited about this 2020 signing class as we have graduated 17 student athletes over the past two seasons," said Joy, who concluded the 2019 season with 362 career victories. "The team this past year was quite young and featured four freshmen and three sophomore starters. "We very much expect many of these signees to come in and compete right away for a position, as we transition the program and head into the new decade."
Tusculum faced a grueling 2019 schedule that included five matches against teams that were ranked during the year, and a season-opening stretch of nine consecutive games away from home. The Pioneers battled to a 7-10-0 overall record and a 3-7-0 mark in South Atlantic Conference action during the season, including a 4-2-0 mark at home.
View photos of the signing ceremonies here.
Rachel Cook
Carrollton, Texas (Ursuline Academy of Dallas)
5-9 Center Back
Club Team: Dallas Texans 02
Intended Major: Psychology
*2018 TAPPS State Champions and 2019 Quarterfinalist
*Captain of club team
*Selected to play for Solar Soccer in National League
*Academic Dean's List (2016-19)
*Dean of Student's Conduct Award (2016-19)
*National Honor Society
Hannah Deakins
Dayton, Tenn. (Rhea County HS)
5-5 Forward
Club Team: Lookout
Intended Major: Physical Therapy
*Holds school record for goals in a season (23)
*Second-team All-District
*Rookie of the Year
*Honor Roll
Joey Garrett
Colorado Springs, Colo. (Rampart HS)
5-8 Center Midfielder
Club Team: Pride Predators ECNL
Intended Major: Nursing
*Participated in ODP National Camp
Emma Harriman
High Point, N.C. (Southwest Guilford HS)
5-8 Goalkeeper
Club Team: PTFC Black 02
Intended Major: Mathematics and Computer Science
*All-Region as a sophomore and junior
*14 shutouts in both sophomore and junior seasons
*Team MVP and All-Conference as junior
*National Honor Society
Reagan Harrold
Cleveland, Tenn. (Bradley Central HS)
5-3 Midfielder
Club Team: Chattanooga Red Wolves
Intended Major: Nursing
*Three-time first-team All-District
*Team midfielder of the year
*Two-time team captain
*Honor Roll, National Honor Society
*Two-year member of ODP state team
Ashlie McFarlane
Colorado Springs, Colo. (Classical Academy)
5-8 Midfielder
Club Team: Pride Predators ECNL
Intended Major: Nursing
*All-League
*State Cup MVP
*ODP Region Team
Tori Mitchell
Dayton, Tenn. (Rhea County HS)
5-2 Midfielder
Club Team: Lookout
Intended Major: Education
*Two-time district midfield MVP
*Second-team All-Region
Grayson Patterson
Maryville, Tenn. (Maryville HS)
5-10 Goalkeeper
Intended Major: Political Science
*First-team All-District and All-Region
*Two-time Region champions and 2019 state semifinals
*Nominated for THSSCA Senior All-Star Game
Anna Pendleton
Seymour, Tenn. (Seymour HS)
5-4 Forward
Club Team: FC Alliance
Intended Major: Nursing
*Two-time first-team All-District
*Forward of the Year
Tyler Taff
Seymour, Tenn. (Seymour HS)
5-8 Forward
Intended Major: Business
*Two-time All-District
*Two-time All-Region
*Honor Roll
Brenna Weber
Piney Flats, Tenn. (Science Hill HS)
5-9 Center Back
Club Team: Tri-Cities United 02
Intended Major: Psychology
*Two-time District champions
*Region champs and state quarterfinals in 2019
*Club team state runner-up in 2019 and Regional Cup qualifier
Gracie Westhoven
Waynesville, N.C. (Tuscola HS)
5-4 Midfielder
Club Team: Carolina Mountain Soccer Club
Intended Major: Pre-Dental/Chemistry
*Team captain
*Four-year varsity player
*State playoffs every year
*National Honor Society
