"These five players are a very solid class," Kyle Cussen said. "They will be able to step in and compete for a starting role to help meet the needs of our program, and they will push our current players to become even better."

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Tulsa Women's Soccer Team Inks Five to National Letters-of-Intent

Golden Hurricane signs three Oklahomans

Feb. 10, 2009

Tulsa, Oklahoma - Tulsa Head Women's Soccer Coach Kyle Cussen announced today the signing of five high school players to National Letters-of-Intent during the early signing period. The 2009 freshmen class includes Claire Detter, Rachel Garcia, Lexis Learmonth, Stephanie Matthiesen and Shelby Steele.

"These five players are a very solid class," Cussen said. "They will be able to step in and compete for a starting role to help meet the needs of our program, and they will push our current players to become even better."

Claire Detter, a 5'9" defender from Claremore, Okla., is a three-year letterwinner at Claremore High School. She was named to the all-district team as a freshman and sophomore, and was selected as the team's Defensive MVP her sophomore season.

"Claire is a very good athlete and makes great decisions at the center back position," Cussen said. "She played for the Tulsa Soccer Club, as well as the Tulsa Spirit which is a premier summer league."

A 5'7" defender from Rockwall, Texas, Rachel Garcia has earned three letters at Rockwall-Heath High School. She has tallied 23 goals and 28 assists for 74 points, and registered 111 saves in her career. Garcia has been named to the Dallas Morning News All-Star first team three times and serves at team captain this season.

"Rachel is a member of the Mexican National Under-20 team," said Cussen. "Her experience alone will help her and the team. She is a solid, attacking defender."

Lexis Learmonth, a 5'6" midfielder from Southlake, Texas, is a three-year letterwinner at Carroll Senior High School. She has scored 11 goals, four of which were game winners, and picked up nine assists for 31 career points. Learmonth was twice named to the first-team all-district and all-region teams, and was an all-Texas midfielder and a Dallas Morning News Player of the Week as a junior.

"Lexus is a defensive center midfielder who is able to distribute the ball well," Cussen said. "She works hard, and is a solid player and playmaker."

A 5'6" defender from Broken, Arrow, Okla., Stephanie Matthiesen is a three-year letterwinner at Union High School. She has led her team to back-to-back Class 6A Oklahoma State Championships and served as the team captain as a junior.

"Stephanie is a central defender and strong athlete who shows a lot of grit on the field," Cussen said.

Shelby Steele, a 5'8" midfielder from Broken Arrow, Okla., is a three-year letterwinner at Broken Arrow High School. She has led her team to back-to-back Class 6A Oklahoma State quarterfinal appearances while starting in every game the last two seasons. As a sophomore, Steele scored three goals and had six assists for 12 points, and as a freshman on the junior varsity team, totaled six goals and eight assists for 20 points.

"Shelby has great speed and athleticism in attacking from both the back and outside middle," Cussen said.

2009 Tulsa Women's Signees
Name	Pos.	Ht.	Hometown (Previous School)
Claire Detter	D	5-9	Claremore, Okla. (Claremore)
Rachel Garcia	D	5-7	Rockwall, Texas (Rockwall-Heath)
Lexis Learmonth	MF	5-6	Southlake, Texas (Carroll)
Stephanie Matthiesen	MF/D	5-6	Broken Arrow, Okla. (Union)
Shelby Steele	MF/D	5-8	Broken Arrow, Okla. (Broken Arrow)