2012 radford women's soccer guide

1

IntroductIonTable of Contents 1

2011 Big South Champions 2-3

Quick Facts 4

2012 Schedule 5

Patrick D. Cupp Memorial Stadium 6-7

Meet the teaM2012 Roster 8

Head Coach Ben Sohrabi 9-10

Assistant Coach Chris Barrett 11-12

Returning Player Profiles 14-34

Newcomer Player Profiles 35-40

thIs Is ruThe Big South Conference 41

Radford University President Penelope Kyle 42

Athletics Director Robert Lineburg 43

This is Radford University 44-45

The New River Valley 46-47

Campus Life 48

Student-Athlete Support Services 49

Strength and Conditioning 50-51

credItsThe 2012 Radford University Women’s Soccer Guide was written and

edited by Brian Stanley and designed by the Radford University Office of

Athletic Communications. The Publication was designed using InDesign

and Photoshop CS5. Additional editing and historical research provided by

The Big South Conference and Gene Hyde, archivist at Radford Univer-

sity’s McConnell Library.

Photography: Tim Cowie, Todd Drexler, Rob Sanborn, Lora Gordon, and

Athletic Communications.

RADFORD

WOMEN’S SOCCER

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2

2011

BIG S

OUTH

CHAM

PION

S

RADFORD

WOMEN’S SOCCER WOMEN’S SOCCER

3

RADFORD

WOMEN’S SOCCER

Radford’s 2011 season was highlighted by a regular season crown, tournament title and the school’s fifth NCAA Tournament appearance. For the first time since 2008, the Highlanders (15-6-1) made an appearance in the NCAA Tournament, its fifth such showing. Radford battled top seeded / No. 3 Duke for the second time in the postseason field of 64. The Highlanders received the automatic bid to the NCAA’s by taking the No. 1 overall seed due to their regular season co-championship and then defeated No. 3 Campbell in the title game, 1-0, on a late header by Megan Rhodes. Radford pushed its title game record to 4-0 all-time and became the Big South standard in championships. “It was a fantastic season. I am so proud of our team and the many accomplishments includ-ing some tough road victories,” said head coach Big South Coach of the Year Ben Sohrabi. “It’s great to be back-to-back Regular Season Big South Champions. In addition it was great to see the team back up their regular season title with a bulls eye on their back and win a tough tourna-ment. Following the three matches, Sahar Aflaki was named Tournament MVP for scoring four goals, including a hat trick in the semifinals against rival Liberty. Aflaki netted eight goals in a span of five games, from the regular season meeting with Liberty to the tournament game against the Flames. Joining Aflaki on the all-tournament team was Sydney Golden, Rachel Conway, and Maryel-len Derenda. With a 1-0 overtime win against Winthrop, Radford won its first six league games by way of shutout, a first in Big South history. Also, the 15 wins were the second most in school history and the eight Big South wins became a new record. Several Highlanders garnered conference accolades throughout the season. Sophomore Tyler Drake was named Big South Defensive Player of the Year for anchoring a defense with a school and Big South record 12 shutouts. In addition, Drake was a first-team all-conference pick, the only unanimous selection on either first or second team, a Radford’s fifth NSCAA All-Region selection. It was the second straight year a Highlander was awarded the conference’s top defender (2010 - Che’ Brown). Julie Ruh’e picked up second-team accolades while Kara Nay and Stephanie Herb were voted to the all-freshman squad. Rhodes exemplified the definition of a student-athlete. After her all-academic selection, Rhodes collected Capital One Academic All-District Second-Team distinction for her 4.0 GPA in a Spanish major. On the field, she scored the first and last goals of the season and was an integral member of Radford’s historic defense. In the spring, senior Jourdan McDaniel was awarded the Big South’s prestigious George A. Christenberry Award for Academic Excellence given to the the male and female student-athlete who attains the highest GPA during their college careers. McDaniel graduated with a 4.0 in exercise, sport and health education (sports medicine), becoming the seventh Highlander to earn this distinction.

SEASON IN REVIEW

TEAM LEADERSGoals – Aflaki (9)

Assists – Golden (7)Points – Aflaki/Ruh’e (19)

Shots – Ruh’e (47) Shots on Goal - Ruh’e (23)

GW Goals – Ruh’e (3)Record – Brown (10-1)Shutouts – Brown (6)Saves – Brown (51)

GAA - Brown (0.50)

ACCOLADESCHE’ BROWN

All-Conference (1st) VaSID All-State (1st) TYLER DRAKE

Big South Defensive Player of the YearNSCAA Southeast Region (2nd)

All-Conference (1st) VaSID All-State (1st)

STEPHANIE HERB Big South All-Freshman

LISA LuBKE NSCAA All-East Academic JOuRDAN MCDANIEL

Big South Christenberry Award KARA NAY

Big South All-Freshman MEGAN RHODES

Capital One Academic All-District (1st) Big South All-Academic

JuLIE RuH’E All-Conference (2nd)

BEN SOHRABI Big South Coach of the Year

MARY WILEY NSCAA All-East Academic

4

4 Big

Sout

h Tou

rnam

ent C

ham

pion

ship

s2012 QUICK FACTS

WOMEN’S SOCCER

RADFORDUniversity FactsLocation Radford, Va.Founded 1910Enrollment 9,370Nickname HighlandersColors Red, White, Navy BlueAffiliation NCAA Division IConference Big SouthPresident Penelope W. Kyle (Guilford College)Director of Athletics Robert Lineburg (Roanoke, 1991)Website www.RadfordAthletics.com

WOMen’s sOccer HistOryFirst Year 1981All-Time Record 294-234-43 (.547)Big South Record 71-47-14 (.591)Big South Regular Season Championships 3 (1999, 2010, 2011)Big South Tournament Championships 4 (1998, 2002, 2008, 2012)NCAA Appearances 5 (1985, 1998, 2002, 2008, 2012)All-Americans 1, Sue Williams (1993)Big South Players of the Year 7First Team All-Big South 44NSCAA All-Region Honorees 4Facility/Capacity Patrick D. Cupp Memorial Stadium/5,000Playing Surface Bermuda Grass

cOacHing staFFHead Coach Ben Sohrabi, 17th Year Alma Mater, Year Maryville, ‘92 Record at Radford (Years) 161-127-27 (16) Career Record (Years) 180-143-30 (18) Big South Record 61-39-14 (16) Big South Championships 4 (1998, 2002, 2008, 2011)Assistant Coach Chris Barrett Alma Mater, Year Radford, ‘96Soccer Office Phone (540) 831-7826/7827

2011 teaM FactsPlayers Returning/Lost 21/8Starters Returning/Lost 10/1Newcomers 112011 Overall Record 15-6-12011 Conference Record (Finish) 8-2-0 (1st)

atHletic cOMMUnicatiOnsAssistant Director (WSOC Contact) Brian StanleyOffice Phone (540) 831-6884Cell Phone (540) 818-6656Email [email protected] A.D. Joey BeelerOffice Phone (540) 831-5726Email [email protected] Director Brian CoxOffice Phone (540) 831-5211Email [email protected] Fax (540) 831-6095Mailing Address P.O. Box 6913, Radford, Va. 24142Overnight Address 101 Dedmon Center, Radford, Va. 24142

5WOMEN’S SOCCER

Tue., Aug. 7 • 7:00MIAMI (OHIO), Exh.

Fri., Aug. 10 • 7:00at George Mason, Exh

Fri., Aug. 17 • 10:30HOWARD

Sunt., Aug. 19 • 2:00at Virginia

Sun., Aug 26 • 1:00at ETSU

Fri., Aug. 31 • 6:00OLD DOMINION

RADFORDSun., Sept. 2 • 1:00at Delaware State

Fri., Sept. 7 • 7:00SOUTHERN VIRGINIA

Thu., Sept. 20 • 7:00HIGH POINT *

Sat., Sept. 22 • 2:00CAMPBELL *

Thu., Sept. 27 • 7:00at Presbyterian *

Sat., Sept. 29 • 2:00at UNC Asheville *

Thu., Oct. 4 • 7:00COASTAL CAROLINA *

Sat., Oct. 6 • 2:00CHARLESTON SOUTHERN *

Thu., Oct. 11 • 7:00at Gardner-Webb *

Sat., Oct. 13 • 2:00at Winthrop *

Thu., Oct. 18 • 7:00LONGWOOD *

Sat., Oct. 20 • 7:00at Liberty *

Tue., Oct. 23 • 7:00VMI

Oct. 27, Nov. 2 & 4BIG SOUTH TOURNAMENT

2012 Schedule

6

PATR

ICK D

. CUP

P MEM

ORIA

L STA

DIUM

RADFORD

WOMEN’S SOCCER WOMEN’S SOCCER

7

RADFORD

WOMEN’S SOCCER

CUPPPatrick D. Cupp

Memorial StadiumPatrick D. Cupp Memorial Stadium was completed in 2003 and quickly became one of the premier soccer and track and field stadiums in the Southeast.

The largest soccer/track facility in the Big South Conference, Cupp Stadium has seating for 5,000 spectators. Four large locker rooms, an on-site athletic training room, and a dedi-cated laundry room highlight the amenities for student-athletes and teams.

The facility also includes a large, fully functional press box with dedicated storage and restrooms. Standard phone lines wireless and hard-wired internet connections were installed to serve all possible media needs. In addition the press box houses the stadiums leading edge scoreboard controls and sound system.

In addition to the game-day amenities, Cupp Stadium serves the day-to-day needs of the soccer and track and field pro-grams, all of which have offices inside the complex. The sta-dium also incorporates offices for RU’s field hockey, men’s and women’s tennis and golf programs.

The soccer surface is a Bermuda blend natural grass field. A state-of-the-art drainage system was recently added to as-sist in keeping the field in top shape year-round. The track is a synthetic surface divided into eight lanes. The stadium also includes jumping and vaulting pits.

8

5 NCA

A TOU

RNAM

ENT A

PPEA

RANC

ES

# naMe POsitiOn Ht. cl. HOMetOWn PreviOUs scHOOl clUB1 Sarah Davidow GK 5-9 Fr. Fairfax Station, Va. Lake Braddock McLean SC2 Mary Wiley F 5-4 Sr. Radford, Va. Radford Radford SC3 Caitlin Kick D 5-6 So. Leesburg, Va. Heritage FC Virginia4 Julie Ruh’e F 5-8 Jr. Monrovia, Md. Urbana FC Frederick5 Melissa Vogel D 5-5 So. Bowie, Md. Bowie Freestate SC6 Megan Rhodes F 5-10 Sr. Blacksburg, Va. Blacksburg Roanoke Star7 Lauren Hicks MF 5-6 Jr. Centreville, Va. Westfield Vista Fury8 Cate Weaver D 5-7 So. McLean, Va. Bishop O’Connell Reston FC9 Asyia Mitchell F 5-3 Fr. Cary, N.C. Panther Creek Triangle FC10 Micaela Filsoof MF 5-9 Fr. Alexandria, Va. Annandale FC Virginia11 Torrie Jackson D 5-8 Jr. Virginia Beach, Va. Princess Anne Beach FC12 Kim Harkins D 5-7 Fr. Virginia Beach, Va. Cox Beach FC13 Stephanie Herb D 5-3 So. Fairfax Station, Va. Robinson Secondary McLean Azul14 Rachel Conway D/MF 5-4 Jr. Kitchener, Ontario, Canada Forest Collegiate Heights Hamilton FC15 Sydney Golden D 5-6 Jr. Lexington, Ky. Paul L. Dunbar Mockingbird Valley SC16 Tyler Drake D 5-6 Jr. Palmyra, Va. Fluvanna County Richmond Strikers17 Annabel Bergin MF 5-5 So. Vienna, Va. James Madison McLean Azul18 Sammie Trone D 5-5 Fr. Gainesville, Va. Battlefield FC Virginia19 Sahar Aflaki F 5-4 Jr. Gainesville, Va. Battlefield Vista Fury20 Krissia Vasquez F 5-9 Sr. Bowie, Md. St. John’s College High Laurel Wildcats21 Alayna Henby MF 5-11 So. Fairfax Station, Va. Paul VI Loudon SC22 Caitlin Annear D 5-7 So. Greensboro, N.C. Grimsley NC Fusion23 Lauren Markey GK 5-7 Jr. Roanoke, Va. Cave Spring Roanoke Star24 Maddy Bisantz D 5-7 Fr. Cary, N.C. Panther Creek Triangle FC25 Torii Johnson F 5-3 Fr. Woodbridge, Va. Hylton Omni FC26 Kara Nay MF 5-4 So. Montclair, Va. Forest Park FC Virginia27 Shannon Nasca D 5-2 Fr. Reston, Va. Bishop O’Connell FC Virginia28 Amanda McKee D 5-7 Fr. Mechanicsburg, Pa. Cumberland Valley PA Classics29 Sally Dillinger MF 5-7 Fr. Clifton, Va. Fairfax Mt. Vernon Patriots30 Lexy Eckerle GK 5-10 Jr. Crozet, Va. Western Albemarle SOCA31 Sierra Merkes D 5-9 Fr. Chesapeake, Va. Hickory Virginia Rush99 Che’ Brown GK 5-8 Jr. Manassas Park, Va. Manassas Park Vista Shockwave

WOMEN’S SOCCER

RADFORD2012 Roster

Sahar Aflaki ........................................................Af-LACK-eeCaitlin Annear ........................................................an-EE-earChe’ Brown .................................................................. SHAYSarah Davidow ..................................................... DAVID-owStephanie Herb........................................................... HER-bAsyia Mitchell..........................................................ASHE-uhShannon Nasca .................................................... NASS-cuhJulie Ruh’e ............................................................. ROO-wayKrissia Vasquez ................................Chris-SEE-ya Vas-CEZBen Sohrabi ........................Soh-RAH-bee

PRONUNCIATIONSVIRGINIA (23): Aflaki, Bergin, Brown, Davidow, Dillinger, Drake, Eckerle, Filsoof, Harkins, Henby, Herb, Hicks, Jackson, Johnson, Kick, Markey, Merkes, Nasca, Nay, Rhodes, Trone, Weaver, Wiley NORTH CAROLINA (3): Annear, Bisantz, Mitchell MARYLAND (3): Ruh’e, Vasquez, Vogel CANADA (1): Conway KENTUCKY (1): Golden PENNSYLVANIA (1): McKee

BY STATE/COUNTRYSENIORS (3): Rhodes, Vasquez, Wiley JUNIORS (10): Aflaki, Brown, Conway, Drake, Eckerle, Golden, Hicks, Jackson, Markey, Ruh’e SOPHOMORES (8): Annear, Bergin, Henby, Herb, Kick, Nay, Vogel, Weaver FRESHMEN (11): Bisantz, Davidow, Dillinger, Filsoof, Harkins, Johnson, McKee, Merkes, Mitchell, Nasca, Trone

BY CLASS

9WOMEN’S SOCCER

RADFORDIn addition to Ben Sohrabi’s personal accolades, which include 2002 and 2011 Big South Coach of the Year honors and a pair of VaSID Coach of the Year nods (1997, 2008), the 17th-year head coach has become the most successful in league history. Sohrabi ranks first in overall wins, conference wins, winning percentage, tournament victories, tournament championships and NCAA Tour-nament appearances in league history. He also sits first in overall winning percentage (min. 50 games), second in tenure and third in Big South Tournament percentage (min. 10 games). Sohrabi, who has been at the helm since 1996, stands as the only coach in Radford women’s soccer history to post 100 or more wins and eight seasons of 10 or more victories, including three of 15 or more. Of the program’s 71 Big South wins since 1993, the most among conference schools all-time, 61 have come on Sohrabi’s watch. In his 16 seasons on the sidelines, Sohrabi has guided 59 All-Big

South performers, 5 players of the year, 4 freshmen of the year, 24 state team selections and 14 aca-demic all-conference honorees. Over the past two seasons, Sohrabi’s team earned a share of the regular season title (second and third in program history) and won the program’s fourth Big South Tournament Championship in 2011. Following the run in 2011 that earned him coach of the year honors, Radford made its fifth NCAA Tournament appearance, playing eventual national-runner up Duke. Defense keyed each season led by Che’ Brown (2010) and Tyler Drake’s (2011) Big South Defensive Player of the Year nods. In 2011, Radford tallied a school-record 12 shutouts and won its first six league games by way of a clean sheet, also a Big South record. The 15 overall wins were the second most in program history and the eight conference wins stood as a new school record. His 2010 squad also finished with four First Team All-Big South selections (the most since 1993). More importantly, academics have been a priority under Sohrabi. For three consecutive years, Rad-ford earned the NSCAA Team Academic Award for a 3.0 GPA or better. In the 2010 home opener, an 8-0 rout of Southern Virginia, Sohrabi broke the tie with UNC Asheville’s Michelle Cornish for most overall wins (135) during a Big South tenure - he now stands at 161. With Radford’s five Big South wins in 2009, Sohrabi became the most successful coach in Big South history with 47 to his credit.

Sohrabi engineered one of the finest seasons of his career and Radford women’s soccer history in 2008. Finishing with a 14-2-6 mark, the Highlanders dropped just one regular-season match and two the entire campaign, both program bests on the way to a third Big South championship and NCAA Tournament appearance at Duke.

WOMEN’S SOCCER

BEN Sohrabihead coach ♦ 17th year

Coaching Profiles

10 WOMEN’S SOCCER

2011

Big S

outh

Coac

h of t

he Ye

ar

RADFORD

THE BEN SOHRABI FILE PERSONALHometown Nashville, Tenn.Date of Birth 11/2/69Wife BethUndergraduate Degree Maryville College, 1992Playing Experience Maryville College 1988-91 Semi-Pro (3, 1989-95) BY THE NUMBERSCareer Record (Years) 180-143-30 (18)Record at Radford (Years) 161-127-27 (16)Big South Record (Years) 71-47-14 (16)Big South Regular Season Championships 3 (1999, 2010, 2011)Big South Tournament Championships 4 (1998, 2002, 2008, 2011NCAA Tournament Appearances 4 (1998, 2002, 2008, 2011)Big South Coach of the Year 2002, 2011VaSID State Coach of the Year 1997, 2008

COACHING CAREER1996-Present Head Coach, Radford1994-95 Head Coach, Lambuth University1993-94 Assistant Men’s & Women’s Coach, Maryville College

Coaching Profiles Two factors that attributed to the Highlanders’ success were the work away from home as well as their defense. Radford posted the first undefeated road record (5-0-3) in program history and recorded a goals-against average (0.94) under 1.00 for the first time since 1997. In 2006, Sohrabi became the program’s all-time winningest coach and reached the 100-victory mark as the High-lander boss. On Sept. 23, Radford defeated Charleston Southern, 3-2, for his 98th win at RU, which surpassed Don Staley (1985-93). He notched his 100th Radford victory on Oct. 8 with a 4-0 win at South Carolina State. Another milestone moment in Sohrabi’s career came in a special place: in 2004, he notched his 100th career win at Maryville, as the Highlanders shut out Sohrabi’s alma mater 4-0 on Sept. 7, 2004. The victory brought Radford’s record to 3-1 that season and the Highlanders went on to their fifth 10-win season under Sohrabi. In 2002, Sohrabi’s Highlanders opened up the season winning nine of their first 10 games, rolling to a 15-5-1 record, the second highest win total in school history. Radford outscored its opponents (Charleston Southern, High Point, UNC Asheville) 10-1 in the Big South tournament to claim a second title and second NCAA Tourna-ment appearance in his tenure. This time, the draw for the Highlanders wasn’t a short trip to face an in-state team in the NCAA’s: instead, Radford was sent to face storied North Carolina, the winningest program in Division I women’s soccer history and eventual national semi-finalists in 2002. That season, Sohrabi earned Big South Coach of the Year honors and had five of his players named to all-conference teams, including league player of the year Nikki Porter, who garnered the award in back-to-back seasons for the first time in league history. With a third-straight 10-win season in 1999, Sohrabi’s Highlanders went 13-5-1 while posting the program’s first Big South regular season title at 6-0-0 (one of three teams to go undefeated in league play since 1999). Following a VaSID Coach of the Year nod in 1997, a perfect regular season home mark (8-0) and the program’s most First Team All-Big South selections ever (4), Sohrabi and his team returned in 1998 to claim their first-ever Big South title and second NCAA Tournament appearance. After going 3-4 to close out the regular season, Rad-ford posted three clean sheets and netted six Big South tournament goals en route to its first conference crown, and a first round NCAA meeting with in-state foe James Madison. Sohrabi earned his first Highlander win with a 9-1 rout of Chattanooga at home on Sept. 28. From there, Sohrabi led the turnaround of a program that won just four games in 1995 and five in his first season, to one that posted the most wins in team history in 1997. That 16-win campaign still holds up as the most wins for a Radford side and the three losses were tied for the fewest in the Division I era until that mark was bested in 2008. Before his arrival at Radford, Sohrabi previously served as head coach at Lambuth University in Jackson, Tenn. Sohrabi led Lambuth to a 19-16-2 record in only two seasons after taking over a program in disarray. In 1995, he guided the Eagles to a 16-4-2 record and their first national ranking, 27th overall. A 1992 graduate of Maryville College, Sohrabi was a standout from 1988-91, earning All-South honors in 1991. From 1992-93, he served as executive director of the professional Nashville Metros in the U.S. Indoor Soccer League. He then returned to his alma mater as the assistant men’s and women’s coach from 1993-94. Sohrabi also played semi-pro soccer for six seasons. In October of 2009, Sohrabi was inducted into Maryville College’s Wall of Fame.

An avid fisherman, Sohrabi and his wife, Beth, reside in Radford.

11WOMEN’S SOCCER

RADFORDCarrying a resume that includes extensive experi-ence across all levels of soccer, Chris Barrett is in his third season as the assistant women’s soccer coach for Radford.

With his assistance, RU won its fourth Big South Women’s Soccer Tournament Championship in 2011 and advanced to the first round of the NCAA Tournament where the Highlanders met eventual national runner-up Duke.

Barrett’s defensive juggernaut tallied a school-record 12 shutouts and won its first six league games by way of a clean sheet, also a Big South record. The 15 overall wins were the second most in program history and the eight conference wins stood as a new school record.

In his first stint with the women’s soccer program, Barrett molded freshman Che’ Brown into one of the most recognized goalkeepers in program

history.

Youth was the headline at the start, as the keeper and three of four backline defenders were all freshmen. Barrett quickly shaped an uncertain defense to the League’s most feared unit. Not only did the defense direct Radford to its second Big South Regular Season Championship in history, but it was also ranked among the nation’s elite – eighth nationally in save percentage (.876), 16th in goals-against average (0.63) and was Top-25 in shutout percentage (.500).

Two Highlanders on three separate occasions were named Big South Defensive Player of the Week - Brown (2) and Tyler Drake. Due in large part to the coaching of Barrett, Brown wrapped up the season with the second lowest GAA in team history (0.67) and was named Big South Defensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year, only the second player in League history to garner both awards in the same season. Barrett’s defense also garnered two VaSID All-State Second Team, two First Team All-Big South and two Big South All-Freshman team honorees.

Barrett, who spent the previous five seasons as an assistant on the men’s side, has roots with Radford that run deep: not only was he a four-year standout with the High-

chris BARRETTassistant coach ♦ THIRD year

Coaching Profiles

12 WOMEN’S SOCCER3 Big

Sout

h Reg

ular

Seas

on Ch

ampi

onsh

ips RADFORD 2011 Season Recap

landers, his development as a coach began and continues at his alma mater. The 1996 Radford graduate made his return to campus in 2006 and began molding the Highlander defense into one of the Big South’s best. He was promoted to a full-time top assistant in 2007, with an emphasis on coaching goalkeepers, recruiting, scheduling, scouting, and practice and game preparation.

Under Barrett’s guidance in 2008, Zach Roszel posted the league’s top save percentage (.821) and fought through an injury-plagued season to post the Big South’s second-best goals against average (0.92).

As a team, Radford allowed the league’s fewest goals (20 in 19 games) in 2008.

Before making his return to the New River Valley, Barrett’s coaching career has included stops at the college, professional, club and high school levels in locations from Christiansburg to Georgia.

His impact has been felt throughout southeastern soccer, most notably during his four years in Greenville, S.C. Barrett was co-director of Greenville FC, as well as the program’s director of player development. Barrett’s ex-perience in the Palmetto State also included time at the professional and high school levels. He was an assistant coach and goalkeeper trainer for three seasons with the Greenville Lions, a former United Soccer League D3 Pro club. With help from Barrett, the Lions advanced to the 2001 league title game. Barrett was also a head varsity coach at Greenville High School.

From Greenville, Barrett moved on to Conyers, Ga., where he worked as the youth academy director for the Rockdale Youth Soccer Association for two years.

In his final stop prior to Radford, Barrett’s career in the youth ranks continued in Wilmington N.C. as the director of coaching and soccer operations for the Port City Soccer Club while working as a staff coach for the Cape Fear Soccer Association. Barrett also logged experience at the Division I collegiate level, working as an assistant coach at UNC Wilmington where Barrett helped the Seahawks to a Colonial Athletic Association semifinal trip in 2005 under current head coach Aidan Heaney.

His sideline experience also includes time as an assistant coach at West Virginia, and as the head coach at nearby Christiansburg High School. Barrett has also worked with Olympic Development Programs in Virginia, West Virginia, South Carolina and Georgia.

On the field, Barrett was a team captain in 1993 and 1994 with the Highlanders, and a Second Team All-Big South selection in 1994. Barrett was a freshman when Radford posted its best-ever regular season record (15-4-2) in 1991. Barrett is fifth on Radford’s all-time saves list with 207.

Right after his playing days concluded, Barrett’s coaching career began as an assistant to Spencer Smith. Under Smith and Barrett’s guidance from 1995-98, the Highlanders won 43 games and claimed their first Big South regu-lar season title. Barrett also volunteered his time as a goalkeeper’s coach for the Radford women’s team.

Barrett earned his bachelor’s from Radford in leisure services. He is currently working towards a teaching certifi-cate in physical and health education.

13WOMEN’S SOCCER WOMEN’S SOCCER

RADFORDRADFORD Meet the Highlanders

14 WOMEN’S SOCCER

6 BIG

SOUT

H PLA

YERS

OF TH

E YEA

R

RADFORD2011 HigHligHtsBig South All-Academic selection... Named to the Capital One Academic All-District Second Team... Headed in the game-winning goal off a set piece at the 79-minute mark in 1-0 victory over Campbell in Big South Championship match; took career-high five shots in contest... Scored Radford’s first goal of the season 3:15 into it’s opener against Southern Virginia ... Moved to a defender against Tennessee Tech... Member of a defense with 12 shutouts (tied 14-year school record) and be-came the first team in Big South history to record six consecu-tive shutouts to begin league play.

2010 HigHligHtsAppeared in 11 matches, 2-for-2 in shots on goal attempts/goals and tallied one helper… Recorded first collegiate goal and first assist of the year in a 6-0 blanking of Alabama A&M… Netted second goal against in-state rival Liberty.

2009 HigHligHtsCame off the bench in eight Big South regular season/tourna-ment games in her first season... Assisted on her first career goal in Radford’s 6-1 rout of Concord.

HigH scHOOl / clUB2006 First-Team River Ridge District, Region III and Roanoke Times All-Timesland selection... Helped squad to the 2006 VHSL Group AA State Semifinals... Team MVP... A standout indoor track & field athlete that helped Bruins to a 2006 Group AA State title; member of the state championship and national qualifying 4x400 relay team... Member of the Roanoke Star Premier (2003-06)... Helped the Star to a Tivoli Cup Champion-ship (Sweden) and a Gothia Cup runner-up (Sweden) in 2004 ... Selected to the 2004 Dallas Cup Select Team.

PersOnalStudent representative on the 2011-12 University Board of Visitors... Born on July 17, 1990... Daughter of Mary and Guy Rhodes, and has an older sister, Hayley... Uncle, Tom Maroney, played lacrosse at North Carolina (1978-80)... Double major in elementary education and Spanish... Radford University Presidential Scholar; 2009 and 2010 RIBA Scholar for study abroad in Europe.

Megan RhodesSenior ♦ forward

5-10BLACKSBURG, VA.BLACKSBURG 6

Returner Profiles

career nUMBersYear GP/GS G A P SH2009 10/0 0 1 1 22010 11/0 2 1 5 42011 20/18 2 0 4 16Totals 41/27 4 2 10 22

15WOMEN’S SOCCER

RADFORD2011 HigHligHtsPlayed in 21 matches with eight starts... Registered two goals and two assists... Netted game-winner at Charleston Southern, ... Returned very next game against Gardner-Webb to assist on the game-winning score... First score of season came versus Southern Virginia.

2010 HigHligHtsPlayed in all 20 games and started in 14… Netted four goals, one game-winner and had one assist… Scored insurance goal against first-time opponent Francis Marion… Career-high five-point match (two goals, one assist) against Alabama A&M… Converted game-winner against League-foe Coastal Carolina in the 66th minute.

2009 HigHligHtsRedshirted as a true freshman for the Highlanders; missed the season due to a preseason knee injury.

HigH scHOOl / clUBSecond Team Washington Post All-Met and First Team All-Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) as a senior; third team all-conference selection in her sophomore and junior years... Key contributor to three WCAC championships and the 2007 Cadet squad that finished ranked fifth in the final NSCAA/adidas national poll... Also lettered in track & field at St. John’s College High School... Member of the three-time state championship Laurel Wildcats club team that were also regional semifinalists in 2007.

PersOnalBorn on March 3, 1991... Daughter of Elsa Vasquez and Carlos Torres and has a younger sister, Liana... Marketing major.

krissia vasquezSenior ♦ forward

5-8BOWIE, MD.

ST. JOHN’S COLLEGE HIGH20

Returner Profiles

career nUMBersYear GP/GS G A P SH2010 20/14 4 1 9 352011 21/8 2 2 6 10Totals 41/32 6 3 15 45

16 WOMEN’S SOCCER71 BI

G SOU

TH AL

L-CON

FERE

NCE S

ELEC

TIONS RADFORD2011 HigHligHts

Played in all 22 matches with 20 starts... Third on squad in goals, assists and points... Bent in corner kick in 87th minute for game-winner in 1-0 win over Francis Marion... Assisted on the game-winner against Gardner-Webb and duplicated that performance at Liberty, giving Radford its most league wins in program history... Tallied goal in Big South semifinal win over Liberty and also scored in season-opener versus Southern Virginia.

2010 HigHligHtsMade 13 starts in 15 games played… Scored six goals before season-ending injury, including two game-winners… Recorded a team-best four-game goal streak during team’s season-long six-game unbeaten streak… First score of season was a golden-goal against Campbell… Scored four minutes into the Alabama A&M game to trigger a 6-0 blanking of the Bulldogs.

2009 HigHligHts2009 Big South Freshman of the Year; All-Freshman team... Made 17 appearances and 11 starts on the year... Led the team with five goals and had one helper... 11 points were sec-ond on the team... First collegiate tally came at home against Concord... Tallied game-winner from 10-yards out against UNC Asheville (Oct. 2) in the Big South opener... Netted two goals, including an overtime game-winner against Charleston South-ern (Oct. 10) to give Coach Sohrabi his 150th career victory.

HigH scHOOl / clUBFour-time All-Region C and Three Rivers District first team honoree... Named 2009 Three Rivers District Player of the Year... First Team All-Group A selection in 2007 and 2009, and second team all-state as a junior; earned honorable mention all-state recognition as a freshman... Helped the Bobcats to a 2007 Group A state championship, and finals appearances in 2006 and 2009... Also lettered in basketball... Played for Highlanders head coach Ben Sohrabi with the Radford Soccer Club.

PersOnalBorn on December 17, 1990... Daughter of Margaret and Dennis Galecki, and Mark and Elizabeth Wiley; has five siblings: Alan and Ben Wiley, and Jim, Catherine and Caroline Galecki... Majoring in biology.

MARY WILEYSENIOR ♦ FORWARD/Midfielder

5-4RADFORD, VA.RADFORD 2

career nUMBersYear GP/GS G A P SH2009 17/11 5 1 11 382010 15/13 6 1 13 292011 22/20 4 3 11 34Totals 54/44 15 5 35 101

17WOMEN’S SOCCER

RADFORD2011 HigHligHtsBig South Tournament MVP... Posted a team-best nine goals, all coming in league or tournament matches... Appeared in all 22 contests, starting the final seven of the season... Tallied 36 shots and was second on team with 19 points... Made an im-mediate impact when inserted in starting lineup, scoring eight goals during her first five games as a starter capping off the stretch with a hat trick in the Big South semifinals against Lib-erty.... Registered her second career multi-goal contest at VMI.

2010 HigHligHtsAppeared in 16 games and made five starts… Scored four goals and had two assists… Recorded a hat trick and tallied an assist in first collegiate game, which tied the Cupp Stadium record… Assisted on Krissia Vasquez’s game-winning goal against Coastal Carolina and later scored the insurance goal.

HigH scHOOl / clUBTwo-time All-District selection at Battlefield... Numerous ac-colades as a sophomore including second team All-State, All-Region, All-District and MVP honors... Member of the Anna-dale Xtreme and part of the Vista Fury WAGS Championship Division runners-up and State semifinalist team in 2008... Also lettered in track and field for the Bobcats.

PersOnalBorn on December 31, 1991... Daughter of Ray and Ra Aflaki and has one older sibling: Sepideh... Majoring in exercise, and sport science... Former high school teammate of freshman Sammie Trone.

Sahar AflakiJUnior ♦ forward

5-4GAINSVILLE, VA.

BATTLEFIELD19

Returner Profilescareer nUMBersYear GP/GS G A P SH2010 16/5 4 2 10 372011 22/7 9 1 19 36Totals 38/12 13 3 29 73

18 WOMEN’S SOCCER

3 BIG

SOUT

H FRE

SHME

N OF T

HE YE

AR

RADFORD2011 HigHligHtsFirst Team Big South and VaSID All-State First Team selection... Splitting time, she recorded a 0.63 GAA (17th NCAA) and .879 save percentage (8th NCAA) - best in program history... Allowed fewest goals (7) of any keeper in Big South history with a minimum 1,000 minutes in goal... GAA ranked second in Big South history and save percentage tied for third... Member of a defense with 12 shutouts and became the first team in Big South history to record six consecutive shutouts to begin league play... Recorded six solo shutouts and was a part of shared blanking of Campbell in Big South Championship match; made key save just 50 seconds after Radford took lead at the 79-minute mark... Big South Defensive Player of the Week after a pair of shutouts in opening league weekend... Notched a regular-season best eight saves in road blanking of Charleston Southern... Added five more stops in Radford’s 1-0 overtime win against Winthrop.... Came off bench and stopped three shots in penalty shootout win against Asheville in Big South quarterfinals... Matched a career-high with 10 saves in Big South semifinal win against Liberty... Recorded six second-half saves in NCAA Tournament at No. 3 and eventual national runner-up Duke.

2010 HigHligHtsBig South Defensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year, only the second player in League history to garner both awards in the same season… First team all-conference, all-freshman team and VaSID Second Team All-State… Recorded second lowest GAA (0.67) in program his-tory… Finished 16th in the NCAA in save percentage (.871) and 24th in GAA… Ranked first in the Conference in GAA, save percentage and shutouts… Two-time Big South Defensive Player of the Week… Recorded a clean sheet on eight occasions… Defended the net in all 20 games and made 19 starts… Made a career-high 10 saves in a 1-1 double-overtime draw against Charleston Southern… Part of a double-assist and first career helper against UNC Asheville.

HigH scHOOl / clUBNamed All Area Preseason (goalie) en route to collecting first team All-District and All-Region honors to close out her season season... All-time girls basketball scoring leader for the Cougars ... Collected MVP honors her sophomore and junior years in basketball and softball ... Earned a softball coaches award her freshman year ... Career .610 hitter ... Made the honor roll and earned an academic letter ... Four-year letterwinner in basketball and three-year letterwinner in softball; lettered in soccer her senior season .

PersOnalBorn on May 8, 1992 ... Daughter of Ronda Sanborn and Mark Brown and has two siblings: Chad Brown and Sarah Sanborn... Marketing major.

CHE' BROWNjunior ♦ GOALKEEPER

5-8MANASSAS PARK, VA.MANASSAS PARK 99

19WOMEN’S SOCCER

RADFORD

15

2011 HigHligHtsStarted in all 22 matches as the central midfielder... Registered three goals and three assists... Scored a goal and assisted on Julie Ruh’e two goals within a span of 17 seconds in season opener... Also assisted against against Alabama A&M... Netted the game-winning goal against Presbyterian in league opener... Nailed the game-clinching penalty kick in a Big South quarterfi-nal shootout against UNC Asheville... Named to the Big South All-Tournament Team.

2010 HigHligHtsBegan the season as a defender then became an integral member of the midfield… Made 14 starts in 15 appearances… Tallied a goal and had one assist… Lone goal came on a game-winning penalty kick against Francis Marion… Assisted on the golden goal against Tennessee Tech in overtime… Part of Radford’s nationally-ranked defense that was eighth in the nation in save percentage (.876), 16th in goals-against aver-age (0.63) and was Top 25 in shutout percentage (.500).

HigH scHOOl / clUBAthlete of the Year at Forest Heights Collegiate Institute... Team MVP honors; twice for cross country, once for volleyball, track and field and soccer... Member of the Hamilton Ava-lanche in USL Women’s Soccer League and also played for the top provincial team in Canada, the Mississauga Falcons... Student Council President and Senior Proficiency Award in exercise science, leadership, chemistry, physics and calculus... Given the Region’s “Top Student” Award and the Scholastic Citizenship Award... Four-sport athlete in high school; volley-ball, track and field, cross country, and soccer.

PersOnalBorn March 5, 1992... Daughter of Yvonne and Richard Conway and has two siblings: Mason and Riley... Majoring in exercise and sport science.

rachel conwayjunior ♦ Midfielder/Defender

5-4KITCHENER, ONTARIO, CANADA

FOREST HEIGHTS COLLEGIATE14

Returner Profiles


20 WOMEN’S SOCCER2011

BIG S

OUTH

DEFE

NSIV

E PLA

YER O

F THE

YEAR RADFORD2011 HigHligHts

Big South Defensive Player of the Year and the only unani-mous first team selection... Seoncd-Team All-Southeast Region selection as well as a first-team VaSID All-State honoree... Started in 20 games played as the central defender... Member of a defense with 12 shutouts (tied 14-year old school record) and became the first team in Big South history to record six consecutive shutouts to begin league play... Integral reason why Radford won eight league matches, the most in program history.

2010 HigHligHtsStarted at center back in all 20 matches … First Team All-Big South, VaSID All-State Second Team and Big South All-Fresh-man Team… Anchored Radford’s nationally-ranked defense that was eighth in the nation in save percentage (.876), 16th in goals-against average (0.63) and was Top 25 in shutout percentage (.500)… Earned Big South Defensive Player of the Week honors for holding Marky Boyce, the nation’s leading scorer at the time, scoreless and to only shots on goal and also ended her four-game goal streak… Her throw in against High Point was part of a double-assist on the game-winning goal.

HigH scHOOl / clUBThree-time first team All-Jefferson District selection... Named Player of the Year during senior season... Two-time first team all-region... Team co-captain as a senior..

PersOnalBorn on December, 24, 1992... Daughter of Megan and Mi-chael Drake... Has three younger siblings, Maxwell, Alison and Emily... Majoring exercise and sport science.

Tyler drakejunior ♦ defender

5-6PALMYRA, VA.FLUVANNA COUNTY16


21WOMEN’S SOCCER

RADFORD2011 HigHligHtsDid not see action in 2011.

HigH scHOOl / clUBFour-time all-district player for the Warriors ... Named MVP during sophomore and junior years ... All-state honoree during freshman and sophomore seasons.

PersOnalBorn on June 22, 1992 to Wendy and Joe Eckerle ... Has two siblings Jayde and Calvin ... Nursing major.

lexY eckerlejunior ♦ goalkeeper

5-10CROZET, VA.

WESTERN ALBEMARLE30

Returner Profiles

22 WOMEN’S SOCCER

RADFORD2011 HigHligHtsStarted 19 matches... Team-best seven assists... Member of a defense with 12 shutouts (tied 14-year school record) and be-came the first team in Big South history to record six consecu-tive shutouts to begin league play... First career multi-assist game came against Liberty, where she helped on the first two goals of the game... Recorded the game-winning assists in the Big South semifinals and Big South Championship... Named to the Big South All-Tournament Team.

2010 HigHligHtsAs a freshman, started and defended in all 20 matches… Took the majority of Radford’s corner kicks and set pieces… Important part of Radford’s nationally-ranked defense that was eighth in the nation in save percentage (.876), 16th in goals-against average (0.63) and was Top 25 in shutout percentage (.500).

HigH scHOOl / clUBKey contributor in 2009 State Cup Champion team and was named Varsity MVP and co-captain her senior season... Four-time All-City and All-Region Paul L. Dunbar; 2009 KHSAA All State selection... Four-time Kentucky ODP State Team... Obtained a U.S. Youth Soccer “E” coaching license in 2009... Earned the 2006-07 NSCAA Team Academic Award; three-time KHSAA Academic All-State... Member of the Mockingbird Val-ley Soccer Club 2009 State Cup Champions... Varsity Rookie of the Year award during freshman year.

PersOnalBorn on March 1, 1992... Daughter of Judy and Roger Golden and has one older sister, Lauren... Majoring in communication sciences and disorders with a minor in psychology.

Sydney Goldenjunior ♦ defender

5-6LEXINGTON, KY.PAUL L. DUNBAR 15


5 NSC

AA/S

OCCE

R BUZ

Z ALL

-REG

ION S

ELEC

TIONS

23WOMEN’S SOCCER

RADFORD2011 HigHligHtsDid not see action

2010 HigHligHtsAppeared in 11 matches before suffering season-ending in-jury… Member of Radford’s nationally-ranked defense that was eighth in the nation in save percentage (.876), 16th in goals-against average (0.63) and was Top 25 in shutout percentage (.500)... Recorded four shots.

HigH scHOOl / clUBGiven the Ironwoman Award for the most minutes played in school history... Member of the 2007 Virginia State Champion Vista Fury... Named captain of her high school team during se-nior season and of Vista Fury Club team... Qualified for Super-Y Nationals three years... Traveled to France and Germany to play with ODP... Member on the Academic Honor Roll, National Honor Society of High School Scholars and was awarded Mar-keting Student of the Year... Participated in DECA, the English honor society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes... Two-sport athlete while at Westfield, lettering all four years in soccer and freshman year in basketball.

PersOnalBorn on April 19, 1992... Daughter of Bev and Doug Hicks and has one older sister, Caitlin... Double major in finance and accounting.

lauren Hicksjunior ♦ midfielder

5-6CENTREVILLE, VA.

WESTFIELD7

Returner Profiles

career nUMBersYear GP/GS G A P SH2010 11/0 0 0 0 42011 DNPTotals 11/0 0 0 0 4

24 WOMEN’S SOCCER

RADFORD2011 HigHligHtsTallied a career-high two assists against Southern Virginia in the season-opener... Saw action in 13 matches with five starts... Member of a defense with 12 shutouts and became the first team in Big South history to record six consecutive shutouts to begin league play.

2010 HigHligHtsAppeared in 12 matches in the midfield.

HigH scHOOl / clUBCaptain as a senior and MVP during her junior season... Four-time All-Beach District honoree... Given the U.S. Army National Scholar/Athlete Award... Member of the All-Beach District Aca-demic team... Named team captain of Beach FC... Two-sport athlete in soccer and field hockey.

PersOnalBorn on April 19, 1992... Daughter of Terrie and Howard Jackson and has a younger brother, Bryce... Physical & health education major.

torrie jacksonjunior ♦ defender

5-8VIRGINIA BEACH, VA.PRINCESS ANNE 11

career nUMBersYear GP/GS G A P SH2010 12/0 0 0 0 12011 13/5 0 2 2 4Totals 25 0 2 2 5

1993

ALL-A

MERI

CAN/

Herm

an Tr

ophy

Fina

list

25WOMEN’S SOCCER

RADFORD2011 HigHligHtsDefended the net during the second half in the season opener against Southern Virginia... Saw action against Alabama A&M ... Played in the second half during NCAA Tournament match at No. 3 Duke and made a save.

2010 HigHligHtsJoined the team and played in goal during the spring.

HigH scHOOl / clUBNamed team captain during senior year and was captain of her club team... Part of the Cave Spring team that placed third in State during her freshman season, winning the Blue Ridge Dis-trict and region titles in the process... Played on the Roanoke Star Elite Soccer Club team; made it to the final eight in the State Cup Tournament... All-District selection during freshman season.

PersOnalBorn on December 2, 1991... Daughter of Renee and Jim Markey and has three siblings: Andrew, Jourdan and Lynsey... Brother Andrew is a defender at Roanoke College... Majoring in health and physical education.

lauren markeyjunior ♦ goalkeeper

5-7ROANOKE, VA.CAVE SPRING

23

Returner Profilescareer nUMBersYear GP/GS G A P SH2010 20/20 0 4 4 152011 20/20 0 0 0 6Totals 40/40 0 4 4 21

26 WOMEN’S SOCCER

RADFORD2011 HigHligHtsBig South Second-Team selection... Started all 22 games... Tabbed the top player in the Big South Conference according to Top Drawer Soccer... Netted two goals within 17 seconds and assisted on the first goal of the season against Southern Virginia... Launched team-best 47 shots... Scored third goal of season and added an assist against Alabama A&M... Tallied fourth career game-winner in 1-0 win at Longwood... Assisted on the game-winning goal against Asheville and returned to record her fourth career assist on a game-winning goal against Coastal Carolina... Registered game-winner against Gardner-Webb... Converted another game-winner against Liberty in the 54th minute, giving Radford its most league wins in program history.

2011 HigHligHtsStarted all 20 matches… Big South Conference First Team and All-Freshman Team performer… Led squad with 20 points (seven goals, six assists) and shots (59)… Third in the Conference in assists, fourth in points, shots and game-winning goals and fifth in goals … Netted three game winners… Tallied eight points in four games during Rad-ford’s season-long six-game unbeaten streak… Contributed her first career multi-assist game against Liberty… Big South Attacking Player of the Week (Sept. 7) for game-winning goal against Iona and was named to the Best Western Huntington Mall Invitational All-Tournament Team… In her first collegiate match, tallied two goals and an assisted on the very first score of the season.

HigH scHOOl / clUBFour-time Frederick News Post All Area, All-MVAL and All-Conference selection... Team captain... Maryland Association of Coaches of Soc-cer first-team selection... Helped Urban to a state championship as a sophomore and a runner-up finish as a senior... Member of the State Cup Finalist Under-18 FC Frederick Club team... National Honors Society member.

PersOnalBorn on February 11, 1992... Daughter of Nancy and John Ruh’e and has four siblings: Jason, Jenny, Katie and twin Amie... Market-ing major... All three sisters play/played Division I soccer; Jenny (Richmond/2006-09); Katie (Pitt/2008-11) and Amie (Seton Hall/2010-current).

julie ruh'ejunior ♦ forward

5-8MONROVIA, MD.URBANA 4


4 Big

Sout

h Tou

rnam

ent C

ham

pion

ship

s

27WOMEN’S SOCCER

RADFORD2011 HigHligHtsSaw action in 14 contests, making three starts... Came off the bench against Winthrop, contributing to the sixth league shut-out... Member of a defense with 12 shutouts (tied 14-year old school record) and became the first team in Big South history to record six consecutive shutouts to begin league play.

HigH scHOOl / clUBNCHSSA 4A All-Conference selection; two-time all region and all-state performer… Competed in the North Carolina East/West All-Star game… Defender on the NC Fusion ’92 Elite club team that was a two-time North Carolina State Cup Final Four participant… Recipient of the Academic Excellence Award and Scholar Athlete Award… Two-sport athlete at Grimsley in soc-cer and swimming.

PersOnalBorn on July 17, 1993 to Lauren and Bill Annear… Has an older sister Ally… Both parents played tennis at Miami Univer-sity (Ohio) …Environmental biology major.

caitlin annearsophomore ♦ defender

5-7GREENSBORO, N.C.

GRIMSLEY22

Returner Profiles

career nUMBersYear GP/GS G A P SH2011 14/2 0 0 0 0Totals 14/2 0 0 0 0

28 WOMEN’S SOCCER

RADFORD2011 HigHligHtsSaw action in 19 matches and recorded six shots... Netted first collegiate goal against Tennessee Tech.

HigH scHOOl / clUBTop 5 in Mid-Atlantic Region for Top Drawer’s Soccer Player to Watch… Member of the 2008 Liberty District Championship team… Three-time all-district selection… Member of the BRYC Azul club team.

PersOnalBorn on Jan. 28, 1993 to Dianne and Dennis Bergin… Has three younger siblings… Majoring in political science.

annabel berginsophomore ♦ midfielder

5-5VIENNA, VA.JAMES MADISON 17


5 NCA

A TOU

RNAM

ENT A

PPEA

RANC

ES

29WOMEN’S SOCCER

RADFORD2011 HigHligHtsPlayed in 12 matches with eight starts... Took eight shots... Converted first collegiate goal against Tennessee Tech in the 30th minute.

HigH scHOOl / clUBAll-WCAC Second Team and all-county first team distinction as a sophomore… Two-sport athlete in soccer and basketball while at Paul VI… Member of state championship basketball team during sophomore year… Varsity Most Improved Award and led team to basketball state championship as a senior.

PersOnalBorn on Sept. 8, 1992 to Ramona and Tod Henby… Has an older brother, Austin… Pre-major.

Alayna henbysophomore ♦ midfielder

5-11FAIRFAX STATION, VA.

PAUL VI21

Returner Profiles


30 WOMEN’S SOCCER

RADFORD2011 HigHligHtsBig South All-Freshman selection... Started in all but one match during 22-game slate... Member of a defense with 12 shutouts (tied 14-year old school record) and became the first team in Big South history to record six consecutive shutouts to begin league play... Marked Campbell’s leading scorer in the Big South Championship, holding her scoreless.... Totalled 12 shots and dished out one assist.

HigH scHOOl / clUBFirst team all-district and honorable mention all-region and honorable mention All-Met as a senior… Two-time all-district honorable mention… Played for the six-time state cup champi-onship Mclean Azul club team.

PersOnalBorn on Oct. 13, 1992 to Denise and Kevin Herb… Has an older sibling Devon… Pre-business major.

Stephanie Herbsophomore ♦ midfielder

5-3FAIRFAX STATION, VA.ROBINSON SECONDARY13


3 Big

Sout

h Reg

ular

Seas

on Ch

ampi

onsh

ips

31WOMEN’S SOCCER

RADFORD2011 HigHligHtsPlayed in 11 matches while starting in four of those as a defender... Member of a defense with 12 shutouts (tied 14-year old school record) and became the first team in Big South his-tory to record six consecutive shutouts to begin league play... Tallied a score in penalty shootout win over UNC Asheville in Big South quarterfinals.

HigH scHOOl / clUBFour-time all-district honoree… First team all-region and all-state selection as a sophomore and senior…High School Coaches Association East/West All Star Game participant… Heritage’s Most Valuable Teammate as a freshman and team captain as a senior... Helped FC Virginia defeat U-17 Japanese National Team at Disney Showcase.

PersOnalBorn on Oct. 29, 1992 to Cathy and Steve Kick… Has a younger sister Mackenzie … Majoring in early childhood spe-cial education.

caitlin kicksophomore ♦ defender

5-6LEESBURG, VA.

HERITAGE3

Returner Profilescareer nUMBersYear GP/GS G A P SH2011 11/4 0 0 0 4Totals 11/4 0 0 0 4

32 WOMEN’S SOCCER

RADFORD2011 HigHligHtsBig South All-Freshman Team selection... Played in all 22 matches with 16 starts... Received first collegiate start against East Tennessee State... Scored game-winning goal 26 sec-onds into the Asheville match... Took 15 shots.

HigH scHOOl / clUBTwo-time all-district selection at Forest Park… Earned the Most Improved Player Award… Played for three different club teams, PWSI Courage ’92 Red, SYC Galaxy, FCV Explosion.

PersOnalBorn on May 11, 1993… Daughter of Genevieve and Larry Nay and has an older sister Shayla… History major.

kara naysophomore ♦ midfielder

5-4MONTCLAIR, VA.FOREST PARK 26


6 BIG

SOUT

H PLA

YERS

OF TH

E YEA

R

33WOMEN’S SOCCER

RADFORD2011 HigHligHtsRedshirted in 2011.

HigH scHOOl / clUBMember of Bowie’s county and regional championship squads from 2008-10 … Part of state semfinals team in 2008 and 2009 and state finalist in 2010 … Club team was MSYSA Regional Champions and National Finalists in 2009.

PersOnalBorn on Sept. 8, 1993 to Cindy Vogel and the late Chris Vogel … Has three brothers; Matthew, Michael and Mark … Majoring in criminal justice.

melissa vogelsophomore ♦ defender

5-5BOWIE, MD.

BOWIE5

Returner Profiles

34 WOMEN’S SOCCER

RADFORD2011 HigHligHtsRedshirted in 2011.

HigH scHOOl / clUBFour-year letterwinner at Bishop O’Connell … Team captain during senior campaign … Two-time all-conference selec-tion … Member of Herndon RFC Arsenal club team that were champions or runners-up in nine tournaments … Three-sport athlete in soccer, basketball and track.

PersOnalBorn on Feb. 2, 1993 … Daughter of Catherine and Bryce Weaver and has five younger siblings … Pre-nursing major... Former high school teammate of freshman Shannon Nasca.

cate weaversophomore ♦ defender

5-7MCLEAN, VA.BISHOP O’CONNELL 8

71 BI

G SOU

TH AL

L-CON

FERE

NCE S

ELEC

TIONS

35WOMEN’S SOCCER

RADFORD

sarah davidowFreshman ♦ 5-9 ♦ Goalkeeper

Fairfax Station, Va. ♦ Lake Braddock1HigH scHOOl/clUBHelped Lake Braddock to a pair of Dictrict championships... Member of the McLean Strikers, a 2010 National Runner-Up.

PersOnalSarah Beth Davidow was born on Dec. 29, 1993 in Red Bank, N.J... Pre-major... Sarah is one of Scott and Annie Davidow’s four children... Her older sister Micaela is a junior at Radford.

Maddy BisantzFreshman ♦ 5-7 ♦ DefenderCary, N.C. ♦ Panther Creek 24HigH scHOOl/clUBFour-year letterwinner and 2012 team captain... Second team all-conference in 2011... Two-time captain of Triangle FC “93 Navy Girls helping squad to State Cup Finals (2011-12) and semifinals (2010-11); Helped TFC win the 2011 Super-Y U-20s National championship and was named team MVP.

PersOnalMadeline Kathleen Bisantz was born on Oct. 16, 1993 in Downers Grove, Ill... Plans to study nursing... Maddy is one of Robert and Lynn Bisantz’s four children... Father played soccer at Marycrest College and swam at Marquette... High school and travel ball teammate of fellow classmate Asyia Mitchell.

Newcomer Profiles

36 WOMEN’S SOCCER

RADFORDSally DillingerFreshman ♦ 5-7 ♦ MidfielderClifton, Va. ♦ Fairfax 29

Micaela FilsoofFreshman ♦ 5-9 ♦ MidfielderAlexandria, Va. ♦ Annandale10

HigH scHOOl/clUBGarnered first team all-district, second team all-district and honorable mention All-Met honors... Team captain and recipi-ent of Fairfax High School Rebel Award... Member of the LMVSC Patriots and helped them to a 2011 State Cup and 2010 National Winter Indoor Championship.

PersOnalSally Elizabeth Dillinger was born on Oct. 14, 1993... Pre-major... Sally is one of Tom and Karen Dillinger’s four daugh-ters... Her grandfather, retired Major General David J. Pederson, played soccer and baseball at the United States Air Force Academy.

HigH scHOOl/clUBGarnered first-team all-region honors in 2011 and 2012... 2012 Honorable Mention All-Met and second team all region... Four-year starter and team captain as a junior and senior... Earned honorable mention all-district recognition in 2009 and 2010... Helped FCV ECNL Cardinals to 2011 Jefferson Cup and 2010 Bethesda Tournament titles... Also a member of the BRYC Elite 93 Santos club.

PersOnalMicaela Renee’ Filsoof was born on April 9, 1994... Undecided on a major... Micaela is the eldest of Tim and Carly Filsoof’s four children.

3 BIG

SOUT

H FRE

SHME

N OF T

HE YE

AR

37WOMEN’S SOCCER

RADFORD

Torii JohNsonFreshman ♦ 5-3 ♦ Forward

Woodbridge, Va. ♦ Hylton25HigH scHOOl/clUBAs a junior, earned first team all-region, all-district and honorable mention All-Met honors... Member of the NVSC Freedom, PWSI Courage and VISTA Omin travel teams.

PersOnalVictoria Elizabeth Johnson was born on Nov. 22, 1993... Plans to major in English... Torii and her brothers, Eric and Nick are the children of Ken and Michelle Johnson.

Kim HarkinsFreshman ♦ 5-7 ♦ DefenderVirginia Beach, Va. ♦ Cox 12HigH scHOOl/clUB2012 First Team All-Beach District, Second team All-Tidewater and Honorable Mention AAA All-State... Garnered team’s Most Oustanding Defender award... Four-year starter that helped Cox to four AAA State Semifinal appearances and Beach District regular season titles... Earned two more all-beach honors and was named to the 2010 Eastern Region All-Tournament Team... Keyed the Falcons to a 2011 state runner-up finish and a four-year record of 85-10-6... Member of the Beach FC travel ball team and played district and state ODP from 2006-10.

PersOnalKimberly Anne Harkins was born on Feb. 28, 1994 in Loxahatchee, Fla... Plans to major in marketing... Kim is the youngest of Tim and Leslie Harkins’ four children.

Newcomer Profiles

38 WOMEN’S SOCCER

RADFORDAmanda McKeeFreshman ♦ 5-7 ♦ DefenderMechanicsburg, Pa. ♦ Cumberland Valley 28

sierra MerkesFreshman ♦ 5-9 ♦ DefenderChesapeake, Va. ♦ Hickory31

HigH scHOOl/clUBMember of the 2010 and 2011 All Sentinel team... 2012 team captain... Helped Cumberland Valley to back-to-back state championships (2011 & 2012) and a runner-up finish in 2010... Also lettered in basketball... Member of the PA Classic and was named Defender of the Week in summer of 2010... Member of National Honors Society and graduated with academic honors.

PersOnalAmanda Nicole McKee was born on Jan. 19, 1994... Enrolled in the nursing program... Amanda and her older brother Greg are the children of George and Beth McKee.

HigH scHOOl/clUBKeyed Hickory to three Southeastern District regular season championships and a district tournament title... National Honors Society member... Helped her club team, Virginia Rush SC, to a 2010 Disney College Showcase championship.

PersOnalSierra Nicole Merkes was born on May 29, 1994... Plans to major in mathematics with a concentration in secondary education... Sierra and older brother Cody are the children of Carl and Anne Merkes... Cody played collegiate soccer at Longwood (2008-09) and Old Dominion and is currently a member of the Virginia Beach Piranhas of the PDL.

5 NSC

AA/S

OCCE

R BUZ

Z ALL

-REG

ION S

ELEC

TIONS

39WOMEN’S SOCCER

RADFORD

Shannon NascaFreshman ♦ 5-2 ♦ Defender

Reston, Va. ♦ Hylton27HigH scHOOl/clUBTeam captain her junior and senior season... Second-team all-conference selection... Also lettered in track & field... Member of the FC Virginia Cardinals club team. PersOnalShannon Leigh Nasca was born on March 19, 1994... Plans to major in biology... Shannon and her sblings Matthew and Ashley are the children of Jeannie Eberle and David Nasca.

Asyia MitchellFreshman ♦ 5-3 ♦ ForwardCary, N.C. ♦ Panther Creek 9HigH scHOOl/clUBGarnered all-region honors... Also lettered in track & field... Helped Triangle FC to a 2011 SuperY summer leageue national championship... Earned all-academic honors as a senior.

PersOnalAsyia Jaliece Mitchell was born on Feb. 13, 1994 in Pinebluff, Ark... Undecided on a major... Asyia is the youngest of James and Valerie Mitchell’s three daughters... Sister Andrea was a four-year member of the Uni-versity of Kentucky’s gymnastics squad (2008-11) and sister Ashley is a cheerleader at Tennessee Tech... Fa-ther played football at Central Arkansas... High school and club teammate of fellow classmate Maddy Bisantz.

Newcomer Profiles

40 WOMEN’S SOCCER

RADFORDsammie troneFreshman ♦ 5-5 ♦ DefenderGainesville, Va. ♦ Battlefield 18HigH scHOOl/clUB2011 first team all district and second team all region... Two-time second team all-district (2010 & 2012)... Four-time letterwin-ner and 2012 team captain... Graduated Summa Cum Laude from Battlefield... Member of the FC Virginia Cardinals.

PersOnalSamantha Rae Trone was born on Nov. 10, 1993... Plans to major in nursing... Sammie is the oldest of Timothy and Christine Trone’s three children... Former high school teammate of junior Sahar Aflaki.

1993

ALL-A

MERI

CAN/

Herm

an Tr

ophy

Fina

list

41

RADFORD

WOMEN’S SOCCER

The Big South Conference Since its founding in 1983, the Big South Conference has matured into a competitive leader in college

athletics, actively pursuing excellence on the field of play and in the classroom. The League’s growing pres-ence as an NCAA Division I athletic conference is evident by athletic accomplishments on the national stage, innovative marketing and media partnerships, increased television packages, and quality athletic competi-tion while intentionally fostering the academic, personal, social, athletic and leadership development of each student-athlete. This has evolved into the Conference’s mission of “Developing Leaders Through Athletics.” The 2012-13 academic year features the Big South’s largest membership (12) and sponsored sports (19) in its 29 years of existence.

The Big South Conference was formed on August 21, 1983, when Charleston Southern (then Baptist Col-lege) Athletic Director Howard Bagwell and Augusta President George Christenberry began recruiting members into the Big South, receiving initial commitments from Augusta, Charleston Southern, Campbell, Coastal Caro-lina and Winthrop. One month later, Dr. Edward M. Singleton was selected as the League’s first Commissioner and continued to solicit new members. His efforts led to the additions of Armstrong State, Radford and UNC Asheville, giving the Big South more than the required six members to constitute an official conference. The Big South’s first year of competition was in the Fall of 1984, and in September 1986, the Big South Conference was granted full-fledged NCAA Division I status.

During its infancy and prior to securing automatic bids to NCAA Championships, the Big South made early strides in earning at-large berths in several national postseason events, including volleyball, women’s basket-ball and women’s golf. In 1989, George F. “Buddy” Sasser replaced the retiring Dr. Singleton as Commissioner, and in 1990, the League received its first automatic bid – receiving an automatic qualifier to the NCAA Baseball Championship. Under Sasser’s seven years of leadership, the Conference implemented its public relations and compliance programs, and introduced its first-ever men’s basketball television package, featuring the Big South competing among some of the finest teams in the nation.

In August 1996, Kyle B. Kallander replaced Sasser as the League’s third Commissioner, and in his 16 years at the helm of the Big South, Kallander has been instrumental in aggressively promoting the Conference to new heights. The Conference has enjoyed record levels in marketing revenue during his tenure, he has brought television coverage to Big South women’s basketball, baseball, softball and men’s soccer for the first time in Conference history, as well as increased national television exposure to the League as a whole through aggressive and unique television packages.

Under Kallander’s leadership, the Big South developed and initiated its first long-range strategic plan, re-affirming the League’s vision as a distinctive athletic Conference committed to the quality of institutional life through athletic competition. He also spearheaded the efforts to add football as a championship sport, which came to fruition in 2002, and oversaw the additions of men’s and women’s indoor track & field in 1997. The Conference’s 19th championship sport -- women’s lacrosse, begins play this season with eight members. At the same time, Kallander has solidified Conference membership, as an all-time high 12 member institutions comprise the 29-year old League. Recent additions include High Point, Gardner-Webb, Presbyterian College and Longwood, plus the return of charter member Campbell University. Kallander’s long range vision has also included technological advancements, as the Conference introduced its first live video streaming event in 2005 and has since expanded its video offerings to more than 700 events annually through a partnership with the member institutions, as well as the creation of several online and social media platforms.

In the last 15 years alone, the Big South Conference has experienced monumental growth and success in nearly every sport. During this time, the Conference has had an individual National Champion six times, has had more than 280 All-Americans, has reached the “Sweet 16” in men’s soccer, women’s basketball and base-ball, has received national Top 25 rankings in football, men’s soccer, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, baseball, men’s outdoor track & field, and men’s golf, had an individual selected to play in the NCAA Singles Championship seven times in addition to the first men’s tennis doubles at-large selection, had the first women’s golf program advance to the national finals, had the No. 1 ranked men’s golfer in the country, had the nation’s top scoring men’s basketball team five consecutive years as well as the national men’s basketball scoring leader twice, received an at-large playoff berth in the Football Championship Subdivision in 2006, has had six NFL Draft picks, and has had two institutions finish in the top 10 in the NCAA Men’s Golf Championships -- including the Conference’s highest-ever team finish in an NCAA event (fifth in 2007).

In 2006-07, the Big South was the only Conference nationwide to have an at-large participant in the football playoffs (Coastal Carolina), a team in the Second Round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament (Winthrop) and a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Baseball Regionals (Coastal Carolina). In fact, Coastal Carolina’s baseball program has been a No. 1 seed four out of the last eight years -- including a national seed for the first time in 2010, while the Chanticleers’ FCS playoff berth in 2006 came in just the fifth-year of the Big South’s football existence. The 2009-10 season saw Liberty’s Sam Chelanga win two NCAA National Championships (cross country, 10,000-meter run); Coastal Carolina’s baseball team reach the Super Regionals for the second time in three years as well as being ranked No. 1 in the national RPI and as high as No. 3 in the national polls;

and three women’s basketball teams reach the postseason for the first time in Conference history. In 2010-11, Chelanga won two more NCAA National Championships (cross country, outdoor 5,000-meter run), the Big South had its first automatic bid recipient in football (Coastal Carolina), UNC Asheville reached the Second Round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, Coastal Carolina’s women’s golf team was the first in Con-ference history to advance to the NCAA Championship out of Regional play, and a League-record 18 baseball players were drafted in the 2011 MLB First-Year Player Draft.

This past season, the Big South had a record 41 student-athletes earn All-America distinction, while an-other 10 were named Academic All-Americans. The Conference also won its first football playoff game (Stony Brook), had the national women’s basketball Rookie Coach of the Year, had two men’s soccer teams reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time in a decade (Coastal Carolina, Liberty), and had a record five individuals selected for the NCAA Men’s Golf Regionals -- the most of any Division I conference in 2011-12. In addition, Liberty was the first men’s golf team in Conference history to win an NCAA Regional, and the Flames went on to finish 10th at the national event.

Several former Big South student-athletes have also reached national prominence in recent years. Coastal Carolina’s Amber Campbell made the U.S. Olympic Team in 2008 and 2012, and was one of five former Big South athletes to compete in the 2008 Games; VMI’s Reggie Williams reached the NBA with the Golden State Warriors in 2010, UNC Asheville’s Ty Wigginton was named an American League All-Star in 2010, and Coastal Carolina’s Dustin Johnson has won six PGA Tour events since departing the Big South Conference in 2007. Three former Big South baseball players made their major league debuts in 2012, while Avery Warley became the third Big South women’s basketball player to play in the WNBA.

The Conference’s tagline, “Developing Leaders Through Athletics” was unveiled in 2008-09 in conjunc-tion with the Conference’s 25th Anniversary. The League also honored its heritage with the Top 25 “Best of the Best” moments in League history from 1983-2008, with Liberty University’s 10-year women’s basketball championship run from 1996-2007 being crowned the No. 1 moment in the Big South’s first 25 years. The Con-ference’s on-field accomplishments have been duplicated in the classroom. Annually, more than 40 percent of Conference student-athletes are named to the Big South’s Presidential Honor Roll for maintaining a cumulative 3.0 grade-point average, and the League has had more than 100 Academic All-Americans in its 28 years of existence. Furthermore, the Big South has recorded double figure totals in NCAA Public Recognition Awards for APR progress the last three years.

BIG SOUTH CONFERENCE

42

RADFORDPenelope Ward Kyle became Radford University’s sixth, and first female, president

when she took office on June 1, 2005. She came to RU with more than 30 years of experience in state government, the corporate and legal worlds, and higher education.

Upon assuming the presidency, President Kyle immediately focused on leading the university’s initiative to become one of the top 50 masters universities in the nation.

The Radford University strategic plan “7-17”, completed in 2007 at her direction, identifies four strategic directives -- the investment in people, programs, global and lo-cal society and the future of Radford University.

Under President Kyle’s leadership, the university also added its first doctoral program with an emphasis in rural mental health and launched an initiative to grow graduate college student enroll-ment by offering additional doctoral and masters level programs. She hired the university’s first provost and created two new vice presidential areas of responsibility, Information Technology and University Relations.

The Radford University Board of Visitors, at President Kyle’s request, has increased its membership by four positions to provide an opportunity for more diversity and leadership innovation within the governing body.

A native of southwest Virginia, President Kyle is a product of the Galax public schools system. She graduated from Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina and did her postgraduate studies in English at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. She received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Vir-ginia School of Law and later earned her MBA from the College of William and Mary.

President Kyle served as Executive Director of the Virginia Lottery for 11 years, under three successive governors. First appointed by Governor George Allen in 1994, she was reappointed by Governor James Gilmore, and then reappointed once again by Governor Mark Warner. Previously, Ms. Kyle was employed by CSX Corporation, an international transportation company, where she became the company’s first female officer. Before joining CSX Corporation, she was an attorney with McGuire, Woods, LLP in Richmond. She also taught English for six years at Thomas Nelson Community College in Hamp-ton, Virginia.

President Kyle serves in leadership positions on numerous educational, civic, cultural, professional, financial and volunteer organizations. She served on the Board of Visitors at James Madison University from 1984 until 1992 and on the JMU Foundation Board 1992 until 1994. She also served on the Virginia Commonwealth University Founda-tion Board from 1994 until 2000 and on the Board of Governors of Saint Christopher’s School from 1999 until 2005. President Kyle is currently a member of the Board of Di-rectors of the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Board of Directors of PRA, Inc., a publicly traded company.

Ms. Kyle is married to Charles L. Menges, an attorney and partner with McGuire, Woods, LLC. They are the parents of three children, son, Kyle Ward Menges, and two daughters, Penelope Whitley Menges, and Patricia Lee Menges.

Radford University PresidentPenelope Kyle

WOMEN’S SOCCER

PRES

IDEN

T PEN

ELOP

E W. K

YLE

43WOMEN’S SOCCER

RADFORD

29

Since being introduced as Radford University’s Director of Athletics in the fall of 2007, Radford native Robert Lineburg has helped usher in a new era of Highlander athletics, marked by unprecedented on-and off-field improvements and successes.

In his short time with the department, Lineburg has been the catalyst for a number of changes, particularly in areas such as facilities, personnel and strategic planning.

His most visible influences to date have been on the Dedmon Center and Radford University’s new 700-seat baseball stadium.

Beginning in the spring of 2008, the Dedmon Center, the centerpiece of Highlander athletics, underwent transformations to the arena, including a new steel-supported roof, a new basketball floor, renovated athletic offices, a new-look natatorium, and improved athletic locker, training, and medical facilities.

Along with the initial upgrades to the Dedmon Center, an improved state-of-the-art strength and conditioning room, new ticket office and Learning Enhancement Center (LEC), which houses student-athlete academic support, were completed/added in 2009.

In 2010, facility upgrades included a new high-tech videoboard / sound system to the Dedmon Center as well as a new playing surface / irrigation system and dugouts to the Radford University Baseball Field.

This past spring, Radford transformed its baseball program in April of 2011 by open-ing a brand-new stadium and making the first significant adjustment to its home park since opening in 1986. For the first time ever, the Highlanders have the capability to host night games. The stadium features lighting standards that meet the requirements of NCAA Regional Tournament host sites.

In June, Robert Lineburg introduced Mike Jones as Radford University’s 7th head men’s basketball coach.

Lineburg has also overseen the hires of six new head coaches as well as seven new athletic administrators. His other hires include women’s basketball head coach Taj Njongba, head volleyball coach Marci Jenkins, women’s head golf coach Jeff Beeler, head men’s soccer coach Marc Reeves and the promotion of track and field interim director Brent Chumbley to head coaches’ status. Among the administrators added in Lineburg’s tenure are executive associate A.D. Randy Butt, head athletic trainer Chad Hyatt, assistant A.D. for communications Joey Beeler, director of student-athlete sup-port services/senior women’s administrator Stephanie Ballein and Director of Facilities Brad Epperley.

As a result of the changes, Radford achieved a banner year in 2008-09: women’s soccer, men’s basketball, men’s tennis and softball claimed Big South conference crowns and advanced to NCAA Tournament play. Women’s soccer advanced to its fourth tournament, men’s basketball won the Big South regular-season and tournament title to advance to the NCAAs for the first time since 1998, men’s tennis made its third-straight appearance, and softball appeared for the first time and won Radford’s first-ever NCAA tournament game in any sport.

Lineburg and the Highlanders backed their success in 2008-09 with a men’s ten-nis and softball Big South regular season title in 2009-10. Mickey Dean’s softball team went on to win their second straight conference tournament crown before advancing to the Athens, Georgia Regional final with two more NCAA Tournament victories.

The successes on the field continued in 2010-11 as Radford captured three more Big South titles. Women’s soccer and softball claimed regular season crowns, while men’s tennis advanced to the NCAA Tournament with their fourth league tournament champi-onship in five years.

Along with their competitive success, the Highlanders have defined the true meaning of “student-athlete” during Lineburg’s tenure. For the second consecutive year, Raford led all Big South institutions by placing 58.3 percent of its student-athletes on the con-ference’s Presidential Honor Roll. In 2008-09, the Highlanders had 57.9 percent of their students on the list.

He and his staff have also been responsible for creating a five-year strategic plan for

the Radford athletic department and building an athletics facilities master plan. Addi-tional achievements include ushering in a new athletics Internet site (RadfordAthletics.com), and helping implement a new ticket system (Ticket Return). Lineburg and his staff have also hosted top-level competition, with five Big South championships taking place on the Radford campus from 2008-11 (men’s basketball, track & field, softball, men’s tennis and volleyball).

In addition to making an impact on Radford athletics, Lineburg is also involved in a number of different organizations and committees. He is the chairman of the Big South Conference Subcommittee on Basketball Improvement, a member of the Big South ad-hoc Committee on Basketball Issues, a member of the selection committee to select Radford University’s Vice President for Advancement, and most recently, was selected to serve on the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Issues Committee

Prior to becoming Radford’s third Director of Athletics, Lineburg’s corporate knowl-edge was groomed as a marketing associate with Peloton Real Estate Partners in Dal-las, Texas.

Along with his business experience, Lineburg spent 15 seasons as a college basket-ball coach, including time as Southern Methodist’s (Dallas, Texas) interim head coach. Prior to serving as the Mustangs interim head coach, Lineburg spent eight years as an assistant coach at SMU. Following his interim tenure, he served two more seasons as an assistant coach at Southern Methodist.

Lineburg’s coaching resume also includes assistant coaching positions with the men’s basketball programs at James Madison University and Emory & Henry College, as well as with the Dallas Mavericks summer league team. His coaching experience also took him through the Big South, as he spent time on the sideline at UNC Greensboro.

A 1991 graduate of Roanoke College, Lineburg started his collegiate basketball ca-reer as a Radford Highlander, where he was a two-year letterman before transferring to nearby Roanoke College to play his final two years.

He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in political science with a minor in history. In 1995, he received a Master’s Degree in education from Virginia Tech, where he was also a graduate assistant on the men’s basketball staff.

“In addition to being a good candidate, Robert is a Radford native, something that will serve him well in his new role,” Kyle said at the time of his hire. “He has great family ties in the area and we’re excited he’s decided to come home to work with us.”

Lineburg is the son of retired Radford High School football coach and athletic director Norman Lineburg and the brother of Dr. Mark Lineburg, the Superintendent of Bristol City Schools, Paul Lineburg, the Assistant Principal at William Byrd H.S. and Wayne Lineburg, who is the interim head football coach at the University of Richmond.

He is married to the former Mary Parish, also a native of Radford.

Director of AthleticsRobert Lineburg DIRECOTR OF ATHLETICS

44

RADFORDThis is Radford University

Nestled in the New River Valley of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Radford, Va., Radford University is student-centered and focused on providing outstanding aca-demic programs for its more than 9,000 students. Well known for its strong faculty/student bonds, innovative use of technology in the learning environment and vibrant student life on a beautiful campus, Radford University offers many opportunities to get involved and succeed in and out of the classroom.

Radford University welcomes students from the Commonwealth of Virginia, across the country and around the world. Here, you will find inspiration in the sur-roundings – the manicured green lawns on campus, the steady roll of the New River, the wonders along the Blue Ridge Parkway, the stately university buildings and a quaint downtown. Radford’s 153 undergraduate and graduate programs offer every student the opportunity to discover new talents, develop leadership skills and experi-ence personal growth.

Radford University serves the Commonwealth of Virginia and the nation through a wide range of academic, cultural, human service, and research programs. First and foremost, the university emphasizes teaching and learning and the process of learning in its commitment to the development of mature, responsible, well-educated citizens. Radford University develops students’ creative and critical thinking skills, teaches students to analyze problems and implement solutions, helps students dis-cover their leadership styles, and fosters their growth as leaders. Toward these ends, the university is student-focused and promotes a sense of caring and of meaningful interaction among all members of the University community. Research is viewed as a vital corollary to the teaching and learning transaction as it sustains and enhances the ability to teach effectively. Radford University believes in the dynamics of change and has a strong commitment to continuous review, evaluation, and improvement in the curriculum and all aspects of the university, so as to meet the changing needs of society.

Fast Facts- Located in the New River Valley of Southwest Virginia- 177-acre main campus; 78-acre RU West campus- 9,370 Students (58% female, 42% male)- 1,020 Graduate enrollment- Students originate from 39 states and Washington D.C.; 57 countries- Student-to-faculty ratio of 19:1- 83% of faculty hold doctorate or terminal degrees in their fields

RADF

ORD U

NIVE

RSIT

Y

45UNIVERSITY

46

NEW RIVER

THE NEW RIVER

The NRV is home to one of the oldest rivers in the world the New River. It’s also one of the few rivers in the world that flows south to north.

The NRV hosts the largest research park in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The NRV is comprised of the following counties- Montgomery, Pulas-ki, Floyd, Giles and the Independent City of Radford.

The NRV is home to approximately 165,145 residents.

The NRV hosts Radford University, Virginia Tech, and New River Community College.NE

W RI

VER V

ALLE

Y

47

THE NEW RIVER CASCADE FALLS BISSET PARK

DOWNTOWN RADFORD

VALLEY

NEW RIVER VALLEY

48

CAMPUS LIFEWant to get involved? You can start with more than 200 clubs and organizations, including academic clubs, outdoor clubs, national honor fraternities and Greek associations. Join a team -- RU has club and intramural sports and NCAA Division I athletics, which includes eight men’s and 11 women’s sports. If that’s not enough, there’s campus lectures, movies, performanc-es, festivals (pictured below) and concerts from big names like Third Eye Blind (pictured below) Outkast, Matchbox 20 and Fuel.

THIRD EYE BLIND

HIGHLANDER FESTIVAL

CLIMBING WALL

RADF

ORD U

NIVE

RSIT

Y

49

HIGHLANDER FESTIVAL

Student-Athlete Support Services

The mission of the Student-Athlete Support Services (SASS) office for Radford University Athletics is to promote, assist, and provide counsel to all student-athletes. Its primary, constant goal is to develop graduates and outstanding citizens who have contributed in the areas of athletic competition during their tenures of education.

Located in the Dedmon Athletic Center, the newly established Learning Enhancement Center is equipped with computers, tutorial rooms, and a study lounge.

The Learning Enhancement Center provides direction for student-athletes via academic counseling in conjunction with advisors from the respective col-leges at Radford University. Academic support services such as tutoring and supervised study hall are provided, as well as career planning, monitoring of eligibility status, and a host of other guidance and advisory services.

ATHLETICS

CLIMBING WALL

STEPHANIE BALLEIN DIRECTOR

SENIOR WOMAN ADMINISTRATIOR

LESLIE ANDERSONASSISTANT DIRECTOR

RADFORD ATHLETICS

50

STRENGTHRA

DFOR

D ATH

LETIC

S

A component that is vital to Radford student-athletes is the strength and conditioning program directed by Strength and Conditioning Coach Michael Shumaker.

Highlander Athletics has long been recognized as one of the leaders among Mid-Atlantic schools in its conditioning and strength training. It has been an instrumental part in the suc-cess of Radford University sports through the years. Under the direction of Shumaker and Assistant Strength and Condition-ing coaches Tim Ridley and Michele Huffman, the program is designed to help each student-athlete reach his or her full potential in their respective sport.

Each Radford University student-athlete has strength and conditioning programs unique to their goals as a player. This program, developed by Shumaker, helps prepare Radford student-athletes for the long and rigorous in-season schedule.

The Strength and Conditioning staff at Radford University is committed to excellence in competition and in life.

Strength & Conditioning

51CONDITIONING

RADFORD ATHLETICS

54 WOMEN’S SOCCER

RADFORDFRESHMEN

JUNIORS

SOPHOMORES

SENIORS

2012 radford women's soccer guide

Documents

big south record

big south wins

big south history

big south standard

ruthe big south conference

big south defensive

head coach big south

regular season title