University of Utah women’s soccer signs 8 new recruits
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Soccer announced the addition of eight new players for the upcoming 2019 season. Halee Barker, Kaitlyn Conley, Kylee Geis, Payton McBride, Chelsea Peterson, Anna Pickering, Sidney Roberts and Courtney Talbot will all join the Utes this fall.
Halee Barker – Defender/Midfielder – St. George, Utah – Dixie HS – Heat FC
High School/Club: In 33 games, scored 11 goals and handed out nine assists … With Heat FC, won the ECNL Southwest Conference championship … qualified for the ECNL Champions League the last three years … member of the ODP State team … Surf Cup finalist … played at the ECNL National Showcase … Mayor Cup finalist … Players Showcase finalist … member of the ECNL PDP Mountain West roster … regionally ranked by TopDrawerSoccer.com
Personal: Daughter of Matt and Yvette and has three siblings, Austin, Miles and Dawson … plans to major in sports medicine and wants to pursue a career in physical therapy … member of National Junior Honor Society, Angel Tree volunteer ambassador and part of the Hope Squad … enjoys snowboarding, wakeboarding, hiking and surfing … grandfather James Horlacher attended Utah
Barker on Utah: “I chose Utah because of the athletics tradition and it is a great place to pursue my dreams. I have been planning to go there for the last two years because that was my top school. I like the ‘U’ because you get a nice mix of the city with the outdoors. It is a win-win situation.”
Kaitlyn Conley – Forward – Cottonwood Heights, Utah – Brighton HS – USA
High School/Club: Led the state in scoring with 23 goals and 11 assists … named Outstanding Striker for Region 7 … invited to ECNL National ID Camp and Nike headquarters with top 90 national players … amassed 50 goals and 23 assists in career … Team MVP and points leader three times … played in ECNL League in So Cal with Sereno Club … State Cup Champion … ODP West Team finalist … named Fox 13 All UYSA Team … made All-Tournament Team at ODP Championships
Personal: Daughter of Jeff and Karen and has seven siblings, Jared, Jon, Chris, Dave, Marr, Mark and Caroline … her father, uncle and grandparents all attended Utah … plans to major in molecular biology and wants to be a physician’s assistant … member of the National Junior Honor Society, ski club, and volunteered with refugee children
Conley on Utah: “I love the coaches and want to play in the Pac-12. Utah has a great medical school and excellent facilities close to the mountains.”
Kylee Geis – Midfielder – Boise, Idaho – Borah HS – FC Nova
High School/Club: 5A Idaho State Player of the Year … IMG Academy Top 100 player … First team Southern Idaho All-Conference … First team All-State … named Most Influential Soccer Player and Student-Athlete of the Year … led Borah to a conference championship and scored 35 goals while dishing out 47 assists … named to the Elite Clubs National League Northwest All-Conference team after leading her squad to a Northwest Conference title… member of the ECNL National Training Camp … Idaho State Cup champion … US Club Regional champion
Personal: Daughter of Dennis and Kim and has one sibling, Courtney … plans on majoring in biology and wants to be an orthopedic surgeon … also lettered in basketball … member of the math club … was the Borah HS Student of the Year, Student-Athlete of the Year and was class valedictorian … won the President’s Award for Educational Excellence … enjoys hiking, kayaking paddle boarding, biking and reading
Geis on Utah: “Not only did I choose Utah because of the fact that it’s successful in one of the best conferences for Division I women’s soccer in the country, the school also has superb academic facilities and a sense of home.”
Payton McBride – Defender – Boise, Idaho – Borah HS – FC Nova
High School/Club: Named First Team SIC All-Conference and Academic All-Conference … helped FC Nova capture a ECNL conference championship … invited to the ECNL Northwest PDP … IMG Academy Top 150 selection … Idaho State Cup champion … state finalist in the 400m for track and defensive player of the year in basketball
Personal: Daughter of Robert and Kristi and has three younger siblings, Avery, Owen and Max … comes from an athletic family with her father, grandfather and uncles playing baseball, basketball and football at Idaho State, Dixie State, Snow College and Western Montana … member of student council and yearbook … also lettered in track and basketball … member of the honor roll and was named SIC Academic All-Conference … enjoys hiking, boating and playing piano
McBride on Utah: “I chose Utah because of its coaching staff, facilities, quality education, Salt Lake City, the mountains and chance to play in the Pac-12 Conference.”
Chelsea Peterson – Goalkeeper – Orem, Utah – Orem HS – Celtic FC
High School/Club: Deseret News 4A First Team All-State … Daily Herald Utah Valley Goalkeeper MVP … Region X Goalkeeper of the Year … registered nine shutouts as a senior and allowed just one goal in four state playoff games … team captain … won a state title with Maple Mountain and made the finals in 2018 … won the Utah State Cup championship four times with her club team … finished third at the National Championships … Region IV champions … two-time FWRL Desert Premier League champions … Region IV champions … played for the Utah 01 ODP team
Personal: Daughter of Scott and Tracie and is the youngest of five, Brandon, Josh, Lindsey and Collin … plans on majoring in business … also lettered in basketball and served as a peer tutor for special needs students … member of the High Honor Roll … enjoys skiing, fishing, camping, four-wheeling, guitar piano, serving in community and at church and spending time with her family
Peterson on Utah: “I chose Utah because of the quality of the school, the conference and the soccer program. Most of all, I chose Utah because of the coaching staff. They made me feel welcome and at home. I look forward to competing for the Utes.”
Anna Pickering – Forward/Midfielder – Mapleton, Utah – Maple Mountain HS – Celtic FC
High School/Club: Scored 51 career goals, including seven game-winners … led Maple Mountain to a state title … with Celtic FC, won three state titles, a regional title and finished third nationally
Personal: Daughter of Anber and Cody and has three siblings, Lauren, Maddie and Jack … wants to major in business and work in the fashion industry … graduated with high honors … enjoys skiing, boating and hiking … her uncle, Chad Jacobsen, played on the football team
Pickering on Utah: “I have always wanted to play college soccer and Utah was my top choice. I wanted to stay in state and play in the Pac-12 and once I came on my visit, I loved everything about it. That campus was very nice and the coaches were awesome.”
Sidney Roberts – Defender – Huntsville, Utah – Weber HS – La Roca
High School/Club: Reached the state playoffs at Weber HS … made the finals for the regional ODP squad … reached the national playoffs with her developmental academy, La Roca … helped it attain the top ranking in the North West Girls rankings
Personal: Daughter of Chad and Elizabeth and has three siblings, Brayden, Barrett and Carter … aunt Meghan Barrett attended Utah … also lettered in volleyball … won her age group at the Snow Canyon Half Marathon … wants to major in medicine and plans on becoming a physician’s assistant … honor roll student recognized with the top marks in math, medical anatomy and physiology, retail and biology … class council seminary president … enjoys roller blading, boating, hiking, running, traveling and cooking
Roberts on Utah: “I love the atmosphere of the Utah campus and the challenge placed on the students inside and outside of the classrooms, to better themselves. I fell in love with the soccer program the moment I stepped on campus. To be able to play for an amazing university with unbelievable facilities and in the Conference of Champions, is what I have always wanted. There is no better feeling than being a Ute.”
Courtney Talbot – Midfielder – West Haven, Utah – Fremont HS – La Roca
High School/Club: Deseret News All-State … State Cup champion with Fremont HS and team’s Rookie of the Year
Personal: Daughter of Brett and Meechelle and has three siblings Zachary, Thomas and Brittany, who played club lacrosse and was in the marching band during her time at Utah … plans on majoring in finance and wants to be an accountant or financial manager … also lettered in track and basketball … enjoys playing soccer and ping pong
Talbot on Utah: “I chose Utah because its soccer program has a good reputation. I really enjoy and respect the coaches and the facilities were the best I had ever seen. Utah is close to home and a great academic university where I will be honored and privileged to earn a bachelor’s degree.”
