Texas Southern Lady Tigers Soccer Signs Seven

HOUSTON- Texas Southern University head women’s soccer coach Tamara Crawley-Marigny has announced the addition of seven student-athletes to the Lady Tigers soccer program. Marigny’s 2013 recruit class features several top ranked players in the state of Texas while also featuring talented players from the states of Oklahoma and California.

“I feel really good about this recruiting class,” said Crawley-Marigny. “We were able to sign some talented players at key positions on our team. All of the young ladies that we’re bringing in are accustomed to playing at a high level competitively. I’m looking forward to seeing several players in this class make immediate impacts on our team next season.”

Last season Texas Southern nearly won the SWAC’s Western Division as they came up one game shy during the regular season. TSU will feature several solid returning players next season as well as the addition of many talented newcomers.

2013 Texas Southern Lady Tigers Recruiting Class

Name: Kailand Thompson
Hometown: The Colony, Texas
Club team: Dallas Sting
High School: The Colony High School
Anticipated Position: Forward

Coach Marigny on Thompson: “Kailand is first and foremost an excellent kid. She is smart, dedicate, and a hard worker. She brings a wealth of knowledge to the soccer field playing for Dallas Sting. She is aggressive and will fight to win every ball coming her way. I can’t wait to get her on the field to see her shine this next year. She will come in and make a difference right away for the program.”

Name: Erica Cozart
Hometown: Garland, Texas
Club team: Dallas Sting
High School: Naaman Forest High school
Anticipated position: Defender

Coach Marigny on Cozart: “Erica is a strong and solid defender. She is smart on the ball and makes excellent decisions. She is a very simple player with a tough man’s mentality. She is exactly what I am looking for in a defender. She also plays for a great club team in Dallas Sting, so she knows the competitiveness that we are looking to bring to the program. She is expected to come in and do well in anchoring the defense for us.”

Name: Valarie Cortez
Hometown: Lubbock, Texas
Club team: Dallas Sting
High School: Lubbock Coronado
Anticipated position: Forward

Coach Marigny on Cortez: “Valarie is a sleeper that I found that will come in and her aggressive nature up front for us at striker will throw many people off. Her potential is off the charts. She is a strong, intelligent, driven young lady who will prove everyone wrong with her size. She will come in and be able to participate immediately with her work ethic and determination alone.”

Name: Tiana Humphrey
Hometown: Owasso, Oklahoma
Club team: Tulsa Blitz United
High School: Owasso High school
Anticipated position: Forward

Coach Marigny on Humphrey: “Tiana is fearless. She is the silent killer that will come and be a force to reckon with. She is small, tough, ruthless, aggressive, and can score. She will put her body out there on the line and that is exactly what we need. She is smart with the ball and has an excellent shot. She can control the ball well and she plays unselfish soccer. I am excited about her capabilities for this next year.”

Name: Kaylah Valdry
Hometown: Elk Grove, California
Club Team: Davis Legacy
High school: Franklin High School
Anticipated position: Forward/Midfield

Coach Marigny on Valdry: “Kaylah is tall and skilled. She is light on her feet and can play nice and easy balls. She is a smooth player. She is very driven and she determined to get better each and every day. She is going to be a delight to watch and develop to a beast on the field. She is also expected to come in and make an immediate impact on the field rather it is at forward or at midfield.”

Name: Maria Cueva
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Club team: N/A
High school: Aldine High school
Anticipated position: Defense/Midfield

Coach Marigny on Cueva: “Maria is a utility player. She is that dynamic where I can put her anywhere on the field and she will be successful. She is strong, solid, and smart. Here in Houston, Texas she is playing against a lot of great athletes and soccer players and has been up to each challenge. She is driven and determined to be the best player that she can be. I can’t wait to develop her and release her full potential on the field.”

Name: Ysamar Alonso
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Club team: N/A
High School: Galena Park High School
Anticipated position: Forward

Coach Marigny on Alonso: “Ysamar is aggressive and will not let anybody take the ball from her without a good fight. She is fast and strong. I think her potential will be unmatched because she works so hard and she listens and takes directions extremely well. She will need a good month with me and I will let her loose on the field to cause many problems for the opposing defenders. I am thrilled at her potential and can’t wait to see her develop into a full out soccer player.”