Tigers Sign Four Players for 2015

CLEMSON, S.C. – 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 Colburn 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 HarkesPosition: MHometown: 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 HockenhullPosition: FHometown: 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
Named 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 StaabPosition: M/DHometown: 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 ColbornPosition: M/FHometown: 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.”