Feb. 1, 2012

TEMPE, Ariz. - Arizona State head women's soccer coach Kevin Boyd today announced that seven student-athletes - McKenzie Berryhill, Alina Cheatham, Cali Farquharson, Tommi Goodman, Lucero Lara, Rachel Ometer, and Sara Tosti - have signed national letters of intent to study and play soccer at Arizona State.

"I've been privileged to coach and recruit a lot of good classes over the years, but I rank this class very high especially for what we need right now," Boyd said. "They're a fun, respectful, extremely talented and really driven group who knows where they are trying to go. I believe this group will come in and add to who we are and bring a nice presence to the team."

Berryhill will be staying close to home as she hails from Phoenix, Ariz. Coming out of Greenway High School, Berryhill accumulated several honors in 2010-11, including being named All-Metro, All-Region and All-State in addition to being named her team's offensive player of the year. Berryhill has led her '93 SC Del Sol club team to eight state championships. She's also been a part of the Arizona ODP state team. 

"McKenzie is a versatile player, who primarily plays in the midfield, but she's also capable of playing in the back," Boyd said. "We suspect we'll have her in the back and she will probably be the center back for us. I feel she has an excellent chance of coming in and making a difference right away."

Cheatham comes to ASU from southern California where she has attended Mater Dei High School. She has been named her team's offensive player of the year while also being named Trinity All-League. While playing for Legends FC, she helped lead her team to back-to-back state championships in 2010 and `11. She's also been an active member in the Cal South G94 ODP pool since 2006. Cheatham has excelled academically being recognized by the National Honor Society, California Scholarship Federation, and North American University Scholar.

"We have been lucky with Alina," Boyd said. "She has come to three summer camps so we've gotten to work with her quite a bit and seen her a lot. She is an outside back who can serve a terrific ball with either foot. She is more of an attacking minded back who likes to get forward."

Farquharson is another local player joining the Sun Devils from Phoenix, Ariz. While attending Shadow Mountain High School, Farquharson was her team's MVP her freshman year and the leading goal scorer during the 2010-11 season. Farquharson is a member of the SC Del Sol 94' team. She made the ECNL All-Event Team in both Temecula and Phoenix.

"Cali in my opinion is the most underrated player that's out there right now," Boyd said. "She's a local player, who I've been watching her for about three years now and have always been a fan of hers. She's a one-on-one artist who can play anywhere in the front line or in the attacking mid. She is a player whose skills we really need and is someone who's going to come in and be very exciting".

Goodman comes out of Colorado, where she has won five state championships. Two out of the five championships Goodman helped lead were with current club team Colorado Rush Nike. While attending Thunder Ridge High School, she has been a two-time All-Continental League selection. Goodman has also been a member of the state's U13-U16 ODP program and was a part of the Region IV pool.

"Tommi comes out of what arguably may be the best team in the age group in the country in terms of the Colorado Rush U17 team," Boyd said. "She's a center midfielder who is very good on the ball and active all the way through. We love everything about her. She's got a drive to her. She's a winner and finds a way to win in every game".

Just recently moving to Arizona, Lara attends Hamilton High School and plays for Sereno soccer club. She has also been an active member of the Mexican National Team since 2009. In 2012, she will be traveling with the full Mexican National Team to China and also participating in the Youth 20 Pre World Cup.

"Lucy is a very good player who also plays for the Mexican Youth National Program," Boyd said. "She played in the U18 World Cup in Trinidad & Tobago and is also currently starting for them with their U20 National Team. She is an outstanding player who plays anywhere on the left side."

Ometer comes to ASU from San Jose, Calif., where she attends Presentation High School and was awarded second-team All WCAL, and honorable mention All-Central Coast Section in 2011. She also is a member of the Santa Clara Sporting 93G where she has led her team to many championships in prestigious tournaments. Ometer has also attended US Club Regional ID2 Camp.

"Rachel is another player that came to our camp," Boyd said. "She is a right back who wants to go forward with great speed. We didn't realize until the end of camp how fast she really was. "I think she's going to be one of the sleepers of the group that's going to come in and do a really nice job".

Tosti, from Santa Rosa, Calif., joins the ASU soccer team following a successful career at Maria Carrillo High School. Aside from being a four-year varsity starter, Tosti has been named her team's MVP, North Bay League's MVP and led her team in goals both her junior and senior season. She was named ESPN Rise high school players to watch in 2009, ESPN Rise high school athlete of the week in 2010, and ESPNHS 150 Class of 2012. Topdrawersoccer.com also ranked her as the #8 Regional Top 20 in the Class of 2012. Tosti has been a 10-year captain for her club team Santa Rosa United, and is an active member of the ODP Cal-North program and Region IV ODP team.

"Sara Tosti is a player out of northern California who plays for Santa Rosa," Boyd said. "She's primarily an attacking center mid with her strengths being technique, deception, and sense of the game. Due to these strengths she has played in every position on the field. We expect Sara to impact the team on the field immediately upon her arrival."