May 12, 2009

RAMS ADD FIVE FOR UPCOMING FALL SEASON

RICHMOND, Va. – Good programs don’t rebuild, they reload.

The Virginia Commonwealth University women’s soccer program looks to be one of those programs after adding five in-state talents to the roster for the upcoming 2009 fall season.

Co-Head Coaches Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak and Tim Sahaydak announced the signings of Ashley Grant (Brentsville District), Lauryn Hutchinson (Dominion), Aisha Allen (North Stafford), Gabrielle Wilson (Osbourn Park) and Christiana Hambright (Centreville).

“We’re extremely pleased with the incoming class,” Roberts Sahaydak commented. “We’ve added quality depth at nearly every position and feel like all of these girls can make huge impacts in the future of this program.”

A scoring machine during her time at Brentsville, Grant finds herself currently ranked sixth in the Virginia state record book for career goals with 86 during her time with the Tigers.

She has been a member of the All-State teams in 2007 and 2008, along with being named the Northwestern District Conference Player of the Year last season.

During that junior campaign, Grant scored 32 goals and notched eight assists, while putting together a 12-game scoring streak for Brentsville.

“We are very excited to have Ashley joining our team,” Sahaydak said. “Ashley has great speed and athleticism with a proven ability to score goals in a variety of ways. We look forward to Ashley finding the back of the net for us for years to come.”

Hutchinson has been a member of the varsity squad at Dominion High School for four seasons, in addition to starring for the Titans girl’s basketball team.

For her club team, the Loudon Hotshots, she was a force up front and helped her squad reach the Virginia State Cup Semi-Finals each of the last three years.

“Lauryn is an imposing forward with a natural ability to receive and lay-off balls played into her,” Sahaydak stated. “Her technical skills and passing ability allow her to serve as a great target player. She will be an important piece of our offensive attack.”

Allen rounds out the trio of incoming forwards for the Rams. A four-year member of the North Stafford team will serve as a valuable piece of the Black & Gold’s offensive attack for the next four seasons.

She helped the Wolverines capture the 2006 District title and finish as the runner-up in State regional play.

Playing soccer at SportsBackers will be nothing new for her after playing her club soccer with the Richmond Strikers where she won both the Virginia State Cup and the National Cup.

“Aisha is a tall, dynamic player that can wreak havoc on an opponent’s defense,” Roberts Sahaydak said. “Her natural ability to create opportunities and score goals off of the dribble and crosses will be a dangerous addition to our offense.”

Wilson is the prototypical VCU women’s soccer player as the hard-working mid-fielder comes to the Black & Gold after a First-Team All-District, First-Team All-Region career at Osbourn Park, the alma mater of former VCU men’s soccer and current MLS star, Andrew Dykstra.

Her club team, FC Virginia Netforce, finished as the runner-up at the Virginia State Cup in both 2008 and 2009.

“Gabby is a hard-working and fearless mid-fielder,” Roberts Sahaydak commented. “She defends her opponents with a relentless tenacity. Both her work rate on defense and her composure on offense are a perfect fit for the VCU style of play.”

The final addition for the 2009 season comes in the form of Hambright, who will see time both on the back line and the midfield spots for the Black & Gold.

Her leadership on the back line helped the Centreville Wildcats to the District and Regional Championships in 2006 and 2007, while she was honored individually as a member of the All-District team in 2008.

Hambright will join her club teammate, Hutchinson, next season after both players were members of the Loudon Hotshots during their high school careers.

“Christiana has the athleticism and ability to be an effective defender here,” Roberts Sahaydak said. “Her physical presence, along with her consistent defensive ability will be a valuable asset for us next season. She has also displayed the finesse needed to combine with her teammates and contribute to the attack.”