Following the most successful three-year stretch in school history, Texas Tech head coach Tom Stone added to the program’s future Wednesday with the signing of 13 high school athletes to National Letters of Intent.

The 13-player class, the largest in Stone’s eight-year tenure, will join the program next fall for the 2015 campaign when the Red Raiders will look to continue their streak of advancing to at least the second round of the NCAA Championship for the fourth-consecutive season. 

For the future, though, the signing class will be looked upon to eventually replace another large and successful group from 2012 when Tech signed the likes of current starters Janine Beckie, Hannah Devine, Caity Heap, Alli Murphy, Briana Rohmer and Lauren Watson among its 10-member class.

“With the impending departure of the 2015 class, it was crucial that we find a pool of players in this class that could be impactful over all four years of their careers here,” Stone said. “Clearly, we have done that with this class. This group is super talented, athletic and technical which hopefully allows us to get them involved right away.”

The signing class features several of the top players from the state of Texas with seven signees hailing from the Lone Star State, including four – Jordan Duke, Hannah Fernandez, Mary Heiberger and Gwinnie Puente – who were rated four-star prospects by the website TopDrawerSoccer.com and two others – Gabbie Puente and Kate Summers – who were three-star athletes.

Dani Murphy, another top signee out of the Dallas area, completed Tech’s list of Texas signees as she will enroll following a steady career out of Marcus High School in Flower Mound.

Stone and his staff were also able to attract several highly-rated prospects from across the country, signing both Madeline Wright and Margaret Begley out of Omaha, Nebraska, Cassie Boren from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Brooke Denesik from Anthem, Arizona, Carly Wickenheiser out of St. Louis, Missouri, and Tanner Haughn from Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Haughn was Tech’s fifth four-star signee for the class that is expected to add depth throughout the field next season and in the future, especially in the midfield and back line where the Red Raiders depart several experienced seniors from 2014 such as Jaelene Hinkle, Bridgett Jenkins, Taylor Narvaiz and Paige Strahan.

“We are married to a particular style of play that has been an important element to our success over the last several years,” Stone said. “Therefore, it was important for our future to bring in players who could play this way and help us develop in areas of need. I can’t say enough about the quality of person and character of the young ladies in this class. I feel like this group not only fits the culture that we have here at Texas Tech but also has the opportunity to do tremendous things over the next four years wearing scarlet and black.”

The large signing class comes after the Red Raiders wrapped the 2014 season ranked 14th nationally in the final NSCAA top-25 poll. Tech closed the season with a 16-4-2 overall record following its trip to the third round of the NCAA Championship, the furthest the Red Raiders have ever advanced in program history.

2015 TEXAS TECH SOCCER SIGNING CLASS

Name                                   Position             Hometown                                             High School

Margaret Begley                     D                    Omaha, Neb.                                         Marian

Cassie Boren                             D                    Albuquerque, N.M.                            La Cueva

Brooke Denesik                    D/F                  Anthem, Ariz.                                        Boulder Creek

Jordan Duke                         MF/F                Amarillo, Texas                                     Amarillo

Hannah Fernandez                D                    Alstyne, Texas                                       Alstyne

Tanner Haughn                      MF                   Colorado Springs, Colo.                     Pine Creek

Mary Heiberger                     MF                   Katy, Texas                                             Katy Taylor

Dani Murphy                          MF                   Flower Mound, Texas                        Marcus

Gabbie Puente                    D/MF                Fort Worth, Texas                                Nolan Catholic

Gwinnie Puente                      F                     Fort Worth, Texas                                Nolan Catholic

Kate Summers                         D                    Dallas, Texas                                          Highland Park

Carly Wickenheiser              MF                   St. Louis, Mo.                                         St. Joseph’s Academy

Madeline Wright                     D                    Omaha, Neb.                                         Marian

SIGNING DAY BIOS

Margaret Begley

Defender  |  Omaha, Neb.  | Marian High School

Player Profile

Four-year letterwinner at Marian High School … marks the first time a signee has signed with Texas Tech out of the state of Nebraska during Tom Stone’s tenure … played alongside fellow signee Madeline Wright at both the high school and club level … helped lead Marian to the state title her freshman season and the Class A championship her junior year … honorable mention All-Class A selected as a junior by the Omaha World Herald … played for the Elite Girls Academy soccer club … organization won the state title at both the U-13 and U-16 levels … was the state runner-up at the U-14, U-17 and U-18 tournaments … honored as the Elite Girls Academy Player of the Year.

Coach Stone on Begley: “Tech fans will immediately take to this super skillful and feisty young lady. An outstanding attacking defender, Margo can also play anywhere in the midfield as well. We love players with an edge about them and Margo has that raw determination that will fit nicely into the soccer culture here at Texas Tech. Margo comes to us from the Elite Girls Academy in Omaha where the technical and tactical development is first class so we are excited to have our firs two EGA players in our program in this year’s class.”

Cassie Boren

Defender  |  Albuquerque, N.M.  | La Cueva High School

Player Profile

Four-year letterwinner out of La Cueva High School, one of the top high school programs in the state of New Mexico … team won the 5A state title her freshman and sophomore seasons … school moved up a classification and later won the 6A state title her senior year … squad ranked among the top 10 teams in the nation her sophomore and senior seasons according to MaxPreps … was a honorable mention all-state selection as a sophomore … first team all-state honoree her final two seasons … also named to the first team All-District squad each of her final three seasons … was elected a team captain her final two years as well … participated on the track team her sophomore year … finished as the New Mexico 51 state runner-up in the 300 meter hurdles that season … played for the Rio Rapids Soccer Club … squad won the New Mexico state title each year from 2010-14 … organization was also a quarterfinalist at the Far West Regional each of those years as well … 2014 NPL Regional Champions … elected the club’s team captain.

Coach Stone on Boren: “Cassie was one of the first players committed to this deep 2015 class. We needed a center back and Cassie has a lot of the skills necessary to be a impactful center back at the college level.  We first saw Cassie in Dallas when she was just a sophomore and have tracked her ever since. It’s been her tenacious defending and athleticism that make her a standout and we look forward to getting her into our training environment this summer.”

Brooke Denesik

Defender/Forward  |  Anthem, Ariz.  | Boulder Creek High School

Player Profile

First signee to join the Red Raider soccer program out of the state of Arizona during the Tom Stone era … played for Boulder Creek High School, one of the top programs in Arizona … helped lead the squad to the state semifinals her junior and senior seasons … named a second team All-State honoree her final two years … totaled eight goals, seven assists and 160 steals during her prep career … was part of the ECNL Player Development Program Combine from 2012-14 that was held from 2012-14 in Las Vegas, Nev. … part of the 2015 IMG Academy 150 player pool … also attended the 2014 Nike National Training Camp.

Coach Stone on Denesik: “Brooke is a tremendous late addition to this class. One of the most determined and exciting players I saw in ECNL all last year. She is strong, fast, skillful and a real winner. We expect Brooke to make a quick transition to the college game and can play anywhere in the back or up front.” 

Jordan Duke

Midfielder/Forward  |  Amarillo, Texas  | Amarillo High School

Player Profile

Four star prospect according to the website TopDrawerSoccer.com … signing continues a trend under Tom Stone of West Texas natives joining the Red Raider soccer program … helped lead Amarillo High to the district title in each of the past three seasons … guaranteed the Sandies a spot in the playoffs as well … arguably one of the top soccer prospects in the state of Texas for the 2015 class … was a first team All-District honoree as a junior and senior … named the District MVP her senior year as well … also earned second team all-state honors … traveled across the state as part of the D’Feeters Soccer Club.

Coach Stone on Duke: “We always want to be the home of the best players in West Texas if possible and Jordan Duke definitely fits that billing. Another super speedy and skillful player in this class, Jordan has some of the most well rounded game of any incoming player in several years. We’ve liked her game up top, at attacking mid and at holding mid so her versatility will be a huge asset for her and us in her freshmen year. Jordan, like a true West Texan, plays with a lot of determination and competitiveness on gameday so we look forward to benefiting that winning mentality both on the field and in the locker room.”

Hannah Fernandez

Defender |  Alstyne, Texas  | Alstyne High School

Player Profile

Four-star prospect according to the website TopDrawerSoccer.com … played primarily on the club level with the Dallas Sting soccer organization that ranks among the top teams annually in the nation … part of the Sting ’97 ECNL for the last seven years … helped lead the Sting to state titles in 2008 and 2011 and a finalist appearance in 2010 … squad placed third at the 2013 ECNL Nationals … scored the lone goal for the Sting to win the 2014 ECNL National Title … honored to being named to the U-17 Best XI squad during the 2014 ECNL Finals … squad previously won the 2010 Surf Cup Championship, the Div. 1 LHGCL Grand Championship from 2008-11, the 2011 USYSA Region III Championship and the 2012 ECNL Texas Conference Championship … participated with her Alstyne track and field team each of the past three years … regional qualifier in the pole vault all three seasons … also a regional qualifier in the spring relay her sophomore and junior year as well.

Coach Stone on Fernandez: "Hannah is one of the best defenders in Texas and the nation and as a multi-time national champion, she brings the pedigree of a winner. She scored the game-winning goal to win the national championship this summer and had a fantastic senior year. She's cut out of the mold of excellent attacking defenders that we have brought to Texas Tech and we look forward to seeing her excel in that position over the next four years."

Tanner Haughn

Midfielder |  Colorado Springs, Colo.  | Pine Creek High School

Player Profile

Four-star prospect according to the website TopDrawerSoccer.com … marks another signee for Texas Tech out of the state of Colorado … has been part of the IMG Academy 150 player pool by Top Drawer Soccer … participated in the 2013 U-18 U.S. Women’s National Team training camp … played for the Pine Creek High School soccer team throughout her high school career … was a first team Academic All-State honoree her freshman and junior years … played part of the Pride Soccer Club … organization was a three-time state cup champion during her tenure … squad also won the Region IV Championship finalist twice … has been a captain for the Pride since 2008 … invited to the National Development Camp in 2011 … part of the Colorado ODP state team from 2009-12 … member of the 2010 ODP Regional Championships all-tournament team.

Coach Stone on Haughn: “Tanner has all the qualities we are looking for in a holding mid in our box midfield. She has great feet and is a superb player in possession while also being terrific in the air and in the area of ball winning. Coach Shulenberger called me from a recruiting event to say ‘we have found your holding mid of the future’ and he was right. Outside of soccer, Tanner’s commitment to her academics and the development of her game is as impressive as any young player we have seen in a long while. This young leader can make an immediate impact on the field and in the locker room.”

Mary Heiberger

Midfielder |  Katy, Texas  | Katy Taylor High School

Player Profile

Four-star prospect according to the website TopDrawerSoccer.com … part of the most recent IMG Academy top 150 by Top Drawer … ranked No. 146 nationally, No. 12 in the region and as the No. 55 midfielder in the 2015 class … led Katy Taylor High School in goals during the 2014 season … part of the Katy Taylor team that advanced to the state finals in 2013 … two time first team All-District honoree … also selected to the second-team All-District squad in 2012 … second team All-Region honoree in 2014 … member of the All-Greater Houston Team each of the past three seasons (2012-14) … played for the Albion Soccer Club out of the Houston area … club was ECNL National Finalists in 2013.

Coach Stone on Heiberger: “Mary is a classic possession player who can play in midfield or in the back and already has the skillful feet needed in our system and in the college game in general. She will be asked to be a big ball winner and distributor at this level and her game will fill that need nicely for our squad. Mary is the second player in a row from Albion in Houston and they have done a great job getting her ready for us and her first college season.”

Dani Murphy

Midfielder |  Flower Mound, Texas  | Marcus High School

Player Profile

Four-year letterwinner at Marcus High School in the Dallas area … helped lead Marcus to the District 5-5A title in 2013 … part of a team that advanced to the regional finals during both the 2012 and 2013 seasons … squad finished ranked among the top 10 teams nationally both of those years as well … honored as the District 5-5A Newcomer of the Year in 2012 … three-time first team All-District honoree … garnered District 5-5A Midfielder of the Year in 2014 … team captain her junior and senior season … started in all 83 games so far in her high school career … member of the ’96 D’Feeters ECNL club team … squad won the U-18 Texas Conference Championship in 2014 … club was also in the ECNL playoffs from 2012-14 … advanced all the way to the regional finals in 2011 … been part of the IMG Academy 150 player pool that is selected by TopDrawerSoccer.com … ranked No. 22 in the state of Texas region … selected to participate in training camp with the U.S. Youth National Team in 2010-11 … member of the NTSSA ODP squad from 2008-09 … named a “Player to Watch” by Top Drawer Soccer in 2011.

Coach Stone on Murphy: “Dani Murphy is an excellent midfielder who can play anywhere in our box shape. Dani is very strong on the ball and is one of the better possession players we saw in this class. When she came into our summer camp, Dani tore it up and showed that she will be ready for this challenge when she arrives on campus this July.”

Gabbie Puente

Defender/Midfielder |  Fort Worth, Texas  | Nolan Catholic High School

Player Profile

Three-star prospect according to the website TopDrawerSoccer.com … joined in the signing class by her twin sister, Gwennie … the two sisters will be the first set of twins to play at Texas Tech at the same time since Nicole and Roxanne Frilot did so in 2012 … played for a successful prep program at Nolan Catholic High School … squad was 24-2-5 overall and a TAPPS state semifinalist in 2014 … team previously advanced to the TAPPS state semifinal her freshman year and the TAPPS regional her sophomore season … garnered second team All-District honors as a freshman … followed up by earning TAPPS first team All-State accolades and first team All-District honors as both a sophomore and junior … also a member of the school’s track and field program … helped lead Nolan Catholic to the TAPPS 5A state title in both 2012 and 2014 … joined with her sister to be part of a state champion relay team in the 4x400m as well … relay team owns the state record in the race … part of the prestigious Dallas Sting Soccer Club … team was the ECNL National Champions in 2014 … previously finished in third place in 2013 and as the national runner-up in 2012.

Coach Stone on Puente: “We see Gabby as an attacking outside back or an attacking mid and in both cases, she can unbalance defenders on the dribble and is very comfortable in service and in putting away chances of her own. Gabbie is another player who has grown her game over the last two years and she has gotten herself more than ready for the challenge of college soccer.”

Forward |  Fort Worth, Texas  | Nolan Catholic High School

Player Profile

Four-star prospect according to the website TopDrawerSoccer.com … joined in the signing class by her twin sister, Gabbie … the two sisters will be the first set of twins to play at Texas Tech at the same time since Nicole and Roxanne Frilot did so in 2012 … … played for a successful prep program at Nolan Catholic High School … squad was 24-2-5 overall and a TAPPS state semifinalist in 2014 … team previously advanced to the TAPPS state semifinal her freshman year and the TAPPS regional her sophomore season … garnered TAPPS first team All-State honors all three years of her high school career so far … also a member of the first team All-District squad during that span too … received TAPPS 5A All-Tournament Team honors as a freshman … named the District Offensive Player of the Year as a junior … also picked up Fort Worth Star-Telegram Super Team Player of the Year honors following her junior campaign … like her sister, also a member of the school’s track and field program … was the TAPPS 5A state champion in the 200m dash as a junior … joined with her sister to be part of a state champion relay team in the 4x400m as well … relay team owns the state record in the race … part of the prestigious Dallas Sting Soccer Club … team was the ECNL National Champions in 2014 … previously finished in third place in 2013 and as the national runner-up in 2012.

Coach Stone on Puente: “Gwinnie’s development since she was verbally committed to us two years ago has been tremendous. She has become one of the best 1v1 players in Texas. She loves to take on and beat players off the dribble. Everything we asked her to work on she has gotten after it and therefore will come in to college ready to contribute.”

Kate Summers

Defender |  Dallas, Texas  | Highland Park High School

Player Profile

Three-star prospect according to the website TopDrawerSoccer.com … member of a highly successful Highland Park High School program … squad won the 2012 4A state title … kicked the game-winning penalty kick to win the match … team followed up by reaching the state finals again in 2013 and then the regional finals in 2014 … squad has won the District 20-4A title in each of her three seasons … garnered District 20-4A second team honors in 2013 … was a first team All-District recipient a year later … another member of the Dallas Sting Soccer Club … team went on to win the 2012 and 2014 USYSA Regional Championship, the 2013 Premier League Championship … will be part of the team for play in the top ECNL tournaments this spring and summer … sister of former Red Raider soccer athlete Sara Summers … mother is also a Texas Tech graduate.

Coach Stone on Summers: “Kate is a stong, fast defender with a huge left foot who will be looked at primarily as a left back. We have seen Kate really improve over the last two years at Sting under Beau Brown and Kenny Medina and she has put herself in a great position to come in and challenge for a spot in our back line. Katie’s ball striking is impressive and her overall athleticism will give her a great head start in making a successful transition to the level expected of a Big12 player. We have found great success in players who appear to be ‘late bloomers’ and Kate is a classic case of a young lady who has really poured it on as she headed into her senior year.”

Midfielder |  St. Louis, Mo.  | St. Joseph’s Academy

Player Profile

Four-year letterwinner at St. Joseph’s Academy in St. Louis … helped lead the squad to three appearances in the state final four … team finished third in the state in 2012-13 before claiming the state title in 2014 … was a second team All-Conference honoree in 2014 … member of the Lou Fusz Soccer Club … team won the Missouri State Cup Championship in 2014 … squad was also regional qualifiers earlier this year and 2013 ESPN Disney Showcase Champions … part of the ODP Region II Regional Program from 2013-14.

Coach Stone on Wickenheiser: “Carly is a holding mid with great range in the midfield and a big presence defensively for such a young player. In addition to being a great student, Carly is a terrific athletic and ball winner who has really developed under her club coaches, Joe Betcher and Danny Graville at Lou Fusz in St. Louis. She fits the role of holding mid on our team perfectly and we are looking forward to seeing how far this young lady can go in the college game once she gets immersed in it.”

Defender |  Omaha, Neb.  | Marian High School

Player Profile

Member of the soccer program at Marian High School, one of the top prep teams in the state of Nebraska … marks the first time a signee has signed with Texas Tech out of the state of Nebraska during Tom Stone’s tenure … played alongside fellow signee Margaret Bedley at both the high school and club level … squad finished 15-1 in 2014 en route to the claiming the state title … team also finished as the district champion as well … performance followed up a 12-1 campaign in 2013 that featured a Metro Championship … played for the Elite Girls Academy soccer club … organization won the state title at both the U-13 and U-16 levels … was the state runner-up at the U-14, U-17 and U-18 tournaments.

Coach Stone on Wright: “Madeline is a lightning fast player with great presence on the flank. We ask our flank players to cover a ton of ground and Madeline has that ability to play box to box while shutting down forwards and still is able to beat players 1v1 at the offensive end. Anyone who has seen Madeline run and get up and down the field can immediately recognize why she was a must get for us in this class.”