University of Georgia signs 7 players to National Letters of Intent for 2020

ATHENS, Ga. – University of Georgia head soccer coach Billy Lesesne has announced the addition of seven Bulldogs who have signed National Letters of Intent.

The 2020 class looks to add more depth to the Bulldogs’ existing roster. Among the signees are Madison Haugen (Cumming, Ga.),Megan O’Neal (Dallas, Texas), Alexis Parker (Westmont, Ill.), Tori Penn (Atlanta, Ga.), Taylor Rish (Alpharetta, Ga.), Sydney Stephens (Waterloo, Ill.), and Lauren Swoopes (Snellville, Ga.).

“Our program is excited to welcome seven outstanding student-athletes to the University of Georgia,” Lesesne said. “I want to thank our coaching staff and support staff for their tireless work in recruiting such exceptional people to our program. The resources available to student-athletes here at Georgia, as well as the interaction and involvement of our staff continues to attract top level recruits. This recruiting class fills positional needs and adds depth to our current group of returning players. The individuals that comprise this class are high achieving leaders both on and off the field. Our staff and team eagerly await the opportunity to integrate this class into our UGA soccer family.”

The seven signees join a maturing Bulldog squad of nine sophomores, 11 juniors, and 11 seniors for the 2020 season.

Madison Haugen | Forward/Defender | Concorde Fire | Cumming, Ga.
Haugen signs with Georgia after three trips to ECNL Nationals with Concorde Fire resulting in a 3^rd place finish in 2017 and a 4^th place finish in 2016. She participated in the US Youth National Team training camp and u17 National Team pool in 2018. She is a member of the National Honor Society and Future Business Leaders of America on top of winning the class 7A State Championship with Lambert High School.  She broke a school record with 33 goals and 15 assists. Haugen named Forsyth County Female Athlete and Soccer Player of the Year in addition to Region Soccer Female Player of the Year.

Megan O’Neal | Midfielder/Defender | Sting Dallas | Dallas, Texas
O’Neal signs with the Bulldogs after advancing to the national semifinals and winning two UIL 5A State Championships in the soccer rich state of Texas.  She was named the District Offensive Player of the Year and was named Second Team All-State.  She is also a two-year captain.

Alexis Parker | Forward | Wizards FC, Illinois Youth Soccer ODP | Westmont, Ill.
Parker signs with Georgia after being selected to the Illinois “State Select” Team and the Midwest Region II Pool of Elite Players through her ODP team.  She has traveled to overseas to play in the Youth World Cup in Gothenburg, Sweden, the San Marino Cup in Italy, and the Dana Cup in Denmark.  With Downers Grover North High School, she advanced to the Final Four of the Class 3A- State Finals and has been named All Conference Soccer Player for West Suburban Conference- Silver Division and All Sectional Soccer Player for Illinois. She is a three-sport high school athlete, participating in soccer, golf, and basketball.

Tori Penn | Forward |Tophat | Atlanta, Ga.
Penn Signs with the Bulldogs after being ranked second in career goals at Westminster High School and winning the All-State All-American award.  She also ran cross country and was a diver, winning state championships in all three sports.  Her team won the ODP national Championship in Arizona as she was awarded the Golden Boot three times.

Taylor Rish | Forward | Concorde Fire | Alpharetta, Ga.
Rish signs with UGA after being selected to the Region III ODP team that traveled to London.  She was named First Team All-Region at Blessed Trinity Catholic High School and scored over 60 goals in three seasons.  She was named the Offensive Player of the Year as a junior after tallying 32 goals and was the leading scorer on Concorde Fire.  She is a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta (Math Honor Society), and recipient of the Class of 2020 Georgia Certificate of Merit.

Sydney Stephens | Midfield | St. Louis Scott Gallagher | Waterloo, Ill.
Stephens signs with the Bulldogs after spending her career playing up in age group for ECNL club St. Louis Scott Gallagher and participated in a National iD2 camp in Casa Grande, Arizona. She won the conference and advanced to the IHSA State Elite Eight with Waterloo High School.  She is Student Council President and a member of the National Honor Society.  She is a IMG Top 150 Player for the Class of 2020, a National Top Midfielders, and ECNL Midwest Conference Players to Watch list.

Lauren Swoopes | Goalkeeper | UFA Developmental Academy | Snellville, Ga.
Swoopes signs with UGA after going to the National Training Center on four occassions. She was a 7A Region Champion for Brookwood High School and ODP Region Three team while also playing in Costa Rica with her ODP team.  She currently plays club for UFA Developmental Academy.