Head Coach Eddie Radwanski and the Clemson women’s soccer program announced the signing of four players to national letters of intent for the 2015 season on Wednesday. The four players are from four different states and three different time zones: Lauren Harkes (Fairfax, Va.), Alana Hockenhull (Vero Beach, Fla.), Samantha Staab (San Diego, Calif.) and Ellen Colborn (Colleyville, Texas).

“We are excited to welcome another outstanding group of young women to the Clemson family,” said Radwanski. “The foundation of our team continues to be strengthened by adding high character people. Each of these girls is eager to represent Tiger Nation both on the field and in the classroom. The focus of this recruiting class was very specific, and what we add takes us one more step in the right direction.”

Harkes, Hockenhull, Staab and Colborn join a Clemson program that is coming off an impressive 2014 season, in which the team finished with a 13-3-3 overall record, a 6-3-1 mark in the ACC and a final national ranking of 21^st in the NSCAA poll. In addition, the Tigers advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2007, won 13 games for the first time since 2002 and won six conference games for the first time in program history. Also, five Tigers earned All-ACC honors in 2014 (three on the All-ACC team and two on the ACC All-Freshman team), for the first time since 2004.

Read more about each 2015 signee below:

Lauren Harkes

Position: M

Hometown: Fairfax, Va. (Bishop O’Connell High School)

Club Team: McLean 96 ECNL - Coach Nadir Moumen

·         Played in Elite Clubs National League from 2011-2015

·         Played in ECNL National Finals in 2014

·         Club team was the ECNL Mid-Atlantic Conference Champions in 2013-2014

·         Club team was the Virginia State Cup Champions in 2014

·         Named to the 2014 High School All-American Team - East

·         WCAC finalist her sophomore, junior and senior years

·         Two-time All-Met First Team

·         Two-time All-WCAC First Team

·         Bishop O’Connell team captain as a junior and senior

·         Bishop O’Connell Most Outstanding Player as a junior

·         Played Varsity soccer for Bishop O’Connell for four years and varsity lacrosse for one season

·         Attended US Soccer National Training Center camp in 2010-2011

·         A member of the Principal’s Academic Honors List from 2011-2014

·         Mother, Cindi, played soccer at Virginia

·         Father, John, played soccer at Virginia from 1985-87 and for the United States National Team from 1987-2000

·         Brother, Ian, is a junior on the Wake Forest men’s soccer team

Radwanski on Harkes:

“Lauren has a tremendous soccer brain. As a central midfielder she values the ball, has excellent vision to pick a pass, and a good understanding of how to control tempo, which is critical at our level. She has a knack for finding the right supporting positions, which make her a valuable link player. She has grown up in a family that is passionate about the game. It has been exciting to watch her game continue to develop, and I see a bright future ahead for Lauren.”

Alana Hockenhull

Position: F

Hometown: Vero Beach, Fla. (Vero Beach High School)

Club Team: Florida Kraze Krush - Coach Hue Menzies

·         Club team won US Club Soccer Florida Cup Championships in 2013 and 2014

·         USYSA Florida State Cup Champions in 2013

·         USYSA Region 3 Champions in 2013

·         USYSA National Championship Tournament in 2014

·         Member of the Florida ODP State “A” Team from 2010-2012

·         Leading scorer for Florida at Region II Camp from 2010-2012

·         Regional ODP Team Selection in 2012

·         Named MVP of the varsity soccer team at Vero Beach High School in 2011 and 2012

·         Set a Vero Beach HS record with 45 goals as a freshman and broke her own record in with 48 goals in 2012

·         Averaged more than two goals per game for her high school career

·         A Scripps Howard Treasure Coast Player of the Year in 2011 & 2012

·         Named FACA Region 9 Player of the Year in 2012

·         Runner up for FACA State Player of the Year in 2012

·         An NSCAA Region 3 Selection in 2012

·         Name NSCAA State Player of the Year (Florida) in 2013

·         Selected to the NSCAA All-American Team in 2012

·         Attended camp at the US Soccer National Training Center in 2013

·         An ECNL Southeast PDP Selection in 2013

·         An ECNL/ID2 National Camp selection in 2013

·         A four-year member of her high school’s Academic Honor Roll

·         Will graduate as an AP Scholar

Radwanski on Hockenhull:

“Alana has been one of the most consistent goal scorers in her age group nationwide, year after year. In a word, she is a finisher. But it’s her ability to provide for the players around her that really sets her apart. A versatile attacking player, she has excellent timing in her movement, and recognizes options for combination play early in possession. Her instincts in the final third of the field consistently lead to goal scoring chances, which is a priority in every team. I am very excited to work with Alana as she transitions into the college game. We believe she will flourish in our environment and the ACC.”

Samantha Staab

Position: M/D

Hometown: San Diego, Calif. (Scripps Ranch High School)

Club Team: Del Mar Carmel Valley Sharks - Coach Felicia Kappes

 

·         Club team won back-to-back USYSA National Championships in 2013 and 2014

·         Club team was Cal South National Cup Champions in 2011-13

·         Club team also won Surf Cup & Manchester Nike Cup in 2011

·         CIF Division 1 runner up with Scripps Ranch High School in 2014

·         Scripps Ranch High School won league championships all four years in high school

·         Named MVP of her high school team as a sophomore, junior and senior

·         Served as team captain as a junior and senior

·         Named Defensive Player of the Year for her high school team

·         Earned four varsity letters in soccer at Scripps Ranch

·         Named League Player of the Year in 2014

·         Member of the 2014 All-CIF Team

·         A four-time all-league selection

·         A member of the Cal South ODP team from 2010-2012

·         Also a member of her high school track and field team, competing in the long jump and 400 meters

·         A member of the Principal’s Academic Honor Roll

Radwanski on Staab:

“Sam brings a wide ranging skill set with her to Clemson. A naturally left-footed player, her range of passing will be a tremendous asset to our team. She is extremely competitive both in the tackle and in the air. She has been the anchor in the middle of the field for her club team’s back to back national titles. Simply put, she is a winner. Watching her steady improvement over the last several years has been very exciting for our staff. Her upside is tremendous, and we look forward to working with her during the next four years.”

Ellen Colborn

Position: M/F

Hometown: Colleyville, Texas (Grapevine High School)

Club Team: Solar Chelsea 97 ECNL - Coach Nick Stavrou

·         Played with Solar Club in the Elite Clubs National League from 2012-2015

·         Previously played club soccer with Dallas Sting

·         Earned four varsity letters in soccer at Grapevine High School

·         Named First Team All-District three times from 2012-2014

·         Helped lead Grapevine High School to a district championship each of the last three years

·         Grapevine HS team won Bi-District & Area Championships in 2013

·         Served as team captain for high school team in 2015

·         Member of the North Texas ODP team from 2011-2012 

·         Attended Region III ODP camp in 2011-2012

·         Member of National Honor Society

·         Ranked in top 5% of her graduating class of over 500 students

Radwanski on Colborn:

“Ellen is a very intriguing prospect for us. She has an excellent technical platform, with very soft feet. Combine that with her quickness and she has the ability to go past players on the dribble. She will be a nice complement to our attacking options. We feel that being surrounded by our current talent can further unlock a real gem of a player. Perhaps equally important, Ellen feels like she has something to prove, and I love that quality in a player.”