The class of 2012 in Denton ISD could easily be seen as a banner class for girls soccer as the three city high schools combined to have 14 players sign national letters of intent Wednesday to play at the next level.
The class was led by Guyer's Lindsy Schafer, who is the school's career leader in goals scored despite not playing for Guyer this season to concentrate on her club play.
Schafer signed with TCU on Wednesday after recording 91 career goals and having 17 offers from which to choose.
"It's definitely sinking in," Schafer said. "I'm really excited for this day. I get to move on with my life and start new things and hit a new chapter. I'm really excited to grow and be successful. I'm ready."
Schafer joined three other Guyer seniors in signing Division I letters as Lindsey Hulstein, Tess Graham and Paige Bucklew all signed with North Texas.
Adding to Guyer's list was Danielle Caro, who signed with Eastern New Mexico, and goalkeeper Audrey Martin, who signed with Hill College. Martin, however, will miss the remainder of this season after recently suffering a concussion.
Despite not playing for her school team this year, Schafer said she is happy for all of her classmates and former teammates and is looking forward to the possibility of playing against some of them down the road.
"I've been playing with those girls since we were about 6 years old," she said. "We've grown up together and played together. It'll be great to see them go off and succeed. I know those three [Hulstein, Graham, Bucklew] will do great at UNT. I hope I get to play them down the road."
Seven Raiders sign
As members of the Ryan girls soccer team stood up individually to thank everybody who played a part in their success, the Lady Raiders attempted to suppress their tears while attempting to display their gratitude.
Laughter mixed with weeping as the seven seniors signed their letters of intent to play college soccer, a testament to one of the best teams in Ryan's history.
Brenna O'Donnell (Texas A&M-Commerce), Lauren Smith (Texas Woman's) Stevie Harris (Midwestern State), Lindsey Eccles (Dallas Baptist), Kiely Dowling (Central Arkansas), Ashlee Beitinger (Southwestern Oklahoma State) and Makayla Knabe (TAMU-Commerce) all signed at C.H. Collins Athletic Complex on Wednesday afternoon.
All seven girls were instrumental in Ryan's run to the Class 4A state semifinals in 2011. Ryan head coach Raiford Malone said he doesn't know how another class of seniors could ever compare to the current group. Seven is the highest number of collegiate signings in one year Malone has had in his 19 seasons at Ryan.
"You could just tell there was something about this group," Malone said. "They knew each other. They were a pretty tight group. A lot of them grew up playing together, just a lot of talent and skill. They're a passionate, competitive group."
 
Denton's Kennedy chooses
Two years after undergoing surgery to repair her anterior cruciate ligament, Denton's Taylor Kennedy will be headed to Oklahoma Christian this fall.
Denton head coach Iseed Khoury said Kennedy was ecstatic and relieved to finally sign, a signal of full recovery since the devastating knee injury.
Khoury spoke highly of his player, saying that she was constantly in rehabilitation and always put in the extra effort others neglected.
"This one is the special one because of all the hard work and all the adversity she had to overcome," Khoury said.
ADAM BOEDEKER can be reached at 940-566-6872. His e-mail address is aboedeker@dentonrc.com .
BEN BABY can be reached at 940-566-6869. His e-mail address is bbaby@dentonrc.com .
