University of Houston soccer program signs four recruits

HOUSTON – Coming off its first postseason berth since joining The American Athletic Conference, the University of Houston soccer program inked four National Letters of Intent, the coaching staff announced Wednesday.

“I’m excited to announce the first part of our 2021 class,” Houston Head Coach Diego Bocanegra said. “Coming off a big recruiting class last year, our 2021 class may be small in quantity, but I expect it to be just as impactful.  These student-athletes fit specific positional needs (Goalkeeper, Defender, Defensive Midfielder, Attacking Midfielder), and I expect each of them to make a significant impact on our program.

“These women are incredible people, exceptional students and great teammates. I have no doubt that they will fit seamlessly into our team culture.”

Below is an in-depth look on the four signees, as well as how Bocanegra believes each one will contribute to the program.

KAYLEE DRESSBACK
Midfielder
Hoover, Ala.
Vestavia Hills HS

BOCANEGRA ON DRESSBACK
Kaylee is another great addition that will add some depth and versatility to our defensive midfield as well as our back line as a center-back. She is strong in the air and in the tackle, she can quickly switch the point of attack and even score goals from distance because of her ability to strike the ball. She is a phenomenally hard worker, and I expect her to transition very quickly to the college game.

HIGH SCHOOL
Led Vestavia Hills HS to a 55-3 record in her first three years competing for the Rebels … Won back-to-back area and state championships from 2018-19 … A First Team All-State honoree … Named to the All-Metro Underclassmen Team, along with being named the All-Metro Underclassmen Player of the Year … Earned a spot on the Alabama Gatorade Player of the Year finalist list … Attended the USYS NTC and the USYS ID Center.

PERSONAL
Daughter of Shane and Lauren Dressback … Has a younger brother, Tyler … Majoring in exercise science with an emphasis on kinesiology … Says her parents are her biggest influence … A committee chair for her RISE Fundraiser team … Also involved in Help the Hills, an organization in her hometown that promotes healthy living for the youth … Aspires to become an orthopedic surgeon … Enjoys playing basketball, watching Netflix and traveling.

EMMA COLVIN
Outside Back
Albertville, Ala.
Albertville HS

BOCANEGRA ON COLVIN
Emma is a tenacious defender who flies up and down the flank. She will help us on both sides of the ball. On defense, she has a determination and competitive drive to compete in every one-on-one battle which frustrates opposing attackers.  On the other side of the ball, she is willing to join the attack and provide great service into the box.  She will add to the grit and competitive fight we expect out of all of our backs.

HIGH SCHOOL
Led Albertville HS in assists during the 2018 campaign, resulting in her receiving the team’s Hustle Award … Earned the Best Offensive Player accolade in 2019, after leading the Aggies in goals and assists … Named team captain for the 2020 season … Landed a spot on the AHSAA 6A All-State and All-Star team in 2020 … Also competed for her school’s cross country team.

PERSONAL
Daughter of Matthew and Rory Colvin … Has a younger sibling, Cooper … Majoring in exercise science … Lists her mom as her biggest inspiration … Aspires to become a kinesiologist or athletic trainer … Involved in the National Honor Society and Aggie Pals, an organization that helps special needs students … Volunteers with the Special Olympics and her local cat shelter … Enjoys hiking, camping swimming and baking.

SAM WEIHE
Center Midfield
Northfield, Ohio
Nordonia HS

BOCANEGRA ON WEIHE
Sam is a multi-dimensional, attacking midfielder with the rare combination of skill, soccer IQ and athleticism. She can beat you on the dribble, by combining with teammates or even striking the ball from distance. In addition, she is one of the smartest soccer players I have ever recruited, and I look forward to helping her fine tune her game.  Most importantly, she has an intrinsic drive to get better and she seems to find a way to make all of the players around her better.

HIGH SCHOOL
Led Nordonia HS to district quarterfinals three years in a row and the school’s first district semifinal her senior year … A two-time team captain … Earned four All-League honors … Landed a spot on the All-District team three times … Awarded Conference Player of the Year in 2020 … Won three team MVP awards … Set the 2020 school record for number of wins with 14.

PERSONAL
Daughter of Steve and Rebecca Wiehe … Has an older brother, Evan who plays basketball at Tiffin University and a younger brother Ryan … Plans to major in biomedical engineering … Says her personal trainer Denny Ciornei is her biggest influence … Earned the team’s highest GPA for two seasons, the Akron Council of Engineering and Science Societies Award in 2019 and high Honor Roll all four years of high school … Aspires to become a professional soccer coach, a doctor or trainer for a college or professional soccer team … Involved in the National Honor Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes … Volunteers at an emergency assistance center and as a camp counselor … Enjoys watching soccer, cooking and playing with her dog.

HALEY WOODWARD
Goalkeeper
Fayetteville, Ark.
Germantown, Tenn.

BOCANEGRA ON WOODWARD
We are so excited to add Haley to our goalkeeper core. When she first saw her playing for her club team, Haley stood out as a top-level goalkeeper.  It wasn’t until we worked with her at our camp that we realized she was much more than just a physically gifted goalkeeper. Haley impressed us with here lateral movement in shot stopping, her ability to come off her line, her physical presence and overall command of her box. To top it off, her communication and distribution with both her hands and feet are already at the collegiate level.

HIGH SCHOOL
First player to be awarded 7A West Newcomer of the Year for Fayetteville HS … Earned First Team All-Conference … Awarded the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette Newcomer of the Year in 2018 … Also competed for her school’s volleyball, basketball and bowling team.

PERSONAL
Daughter of Keith and Karen Woodward … Has an older sister, Payton, who is a goalkeeper at the University of Arkansas … Lists her sister as her biggest influence … Plans to major in biology … Awarded STUCO President, Mu Theta President, National Honors Society President, FVA Student of the Month, FFA Greenhand, FFA Chapter Degree, FFA Junior Ambassador and Agriculture Communication State Award Winner … Involved in Future Farmers of America (FFA), STUCO, Mu Alpha Theta, NHA and Best Buddies … Volunteered at her local animal shelter and community building through FFA … Aspires to become a small/exotic animal veterinarian … Enjoys hunting and fishing.