May 14, 2008
STANFORD, Calif.- Stanford head coach Lesley Irvine has announced the signing of five recruits to national letters of intent. The group will join the Cardinal for the 2008 campaign.
The class includes: Stephanie Byrne (San Jose, Calif.), Devon Holman (Fallbrook, Calif.), Leigh Kaulbach (Sandown, N.H.), Katie Mitchell (Monte Sereno, Calif.) and Beth Ridley (Oakland, Maine).
"We are very excited about this year's class," said 2007 NorPac Coach of the Year Lesley Irvine, who last year led Stanford to its first winning season in six years resulting in the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2000. "They fit some very specific needs for our team and will definitely help continue the success and momentum of our program."
Byrne, a 5-3 forward, is an accomplished local product from Saint Francis High School. She is a three-time All-League selection, earning first team honors as a junior and senior. After receiving All-CCS accolades during her sophomore and junior seasons, she was named County Player of the Year as a senior. Byrne's senior year was especially impressive, as she was also named BVAL Player of the Year, All-West Region and second team All-American. A two-time Futures Elite member, Byrne is also a two-time San Jose Mercury News Athlete of the Week award winner.
Holman is a 5-6 midfielder and multi-sport standout from Fallbrook, Calif. In addition to earning letters in soccer, lacrosse and track, Holman lettered in field hockey for three seasons. As a senior, she was named Most Valuable Player while leading her team in goals and assists. Holman was also tabbed first team All-League and All-Section Division last year. A 2007 member of the U19 National Futures Team and U19 San Diego National Indoor Team, Holman also participated in club field hockey with Field Hockey Futures and Rush Field Hockey.
A 5-3 defender from Sandown, N.H., Kaulbach earned four letters from St. Paul's School. Kaulbach was named to the All-League ISL (Independent School League) squad as a junior after earning honorable mention accolades as a sophomore. She was also a recipient of the Coaches Award that same season. Kaulbach has experience competing for the Seacoast United and Futures club teams.
Mitchell is a 5-4 forward from Saint Francis High School. A three-year letterwinner in both field hockey and soccer, Mitchell was named First Team All-League and First Team Central Coast Section during her senior season. She served as her field hockey team's captain last year. Mitchell also enjoyed a successful soccer career, earning First Team Central Coast Section and Honorable Mention All-League accolades.
Ridley is a 5-10 goalkeeper from Messalonskee High School. A four-year varsity starter and senior captain who registered 25 career shutouts, Ridley was a Regional All-American and finalist for Miss Maine Field Hockey last year. Ridley also received First Team All-State and First Team All-League honors in her final two seasons. In addition to several other All-Star honors by local publications, Ridley was a three-year member of the Futures club team and competed at the National Festival for three seasons.