Ten Players Sign With Women’s Soccer Squad - University of Memphis Athletics (2024)

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – University of Memphis women's soccer team and head coach Brooks Monaghan have announced the signing of 10 student-athletes who will join the Tigers this upcoming fall season.

The Tigers graduated four seniors from the 2017 squad and will welcome in a group of athletes who will compete to help fill the void of those departed players. The incoming class of freshmen is a very versatile group with the ability to play multiple positions on the pitch.

"As a class I am very pleased with this group as a whole," said Monaghan. "I feel that they bring to us the depth necessary in a few key areas that will make our squad extremely strong from box-to-box. I am excited about the future and hope that they are all ready to make an impact on the field from day one."

Claire Abrey – M
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada (St. Joseph High School/Saskatchewan Regional Excel Centre (HPDC)
Tanya Boychuk – F/M
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (Archbishop O'Leary Catholic High School/Vancouver Whitecaps FC)
Beatrice Currie – F/M
Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada (Halifax West/Cape Breton FC)
Caroline Duncan – D/M
Memphis, Tenn. (White Station High School/CSA Lady Lobos Rush)
Grace Duncan – F/M
Memphis, Tenn. (White Station High School/CSA Lady Lobos Rush)
Lydia Herring – F/M
Memphis, Tenn. (Hutchison School/CSA Lady Lobos Rush)
Myah Jalal – F/M
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (Vimy Ridge Academy/Scottish Angels Major League Women's)
Allie Rathbun – D
Savannah, Ga. (St. Vincent's Academy/Jacksonville Armada FC)
Lauren Schultz – F/M
Wheeling, W.Va. (Wheeling Park High School/Pittsburgh Riverhounds)
Maddie Stoks – D
Greenfield, Minn. (Benilde-St. Margaret's/Minneapolis United)

Claire Abrey – Midfielder - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Abrey, a two-sport athlete at St. Joseph High School, is one of four Canadians to sign with Monaghan's Tigers this signing period. In 2015, Abrey represented her home province of Saskatchewan in the Western Canada Summer Games and followed that up with a spot on team Saskatchewan in the Canada Summer Games two years later. Also in 2017, Abrey was invited and attended the U-20 Canadian National Team camp.

In addition to her soccer experience at St. Joseph High School and with her Saskatchewan Regional Excel Centre Club Team, Abrey was a provincial bronze medalist in cross-country this year.

Abrey has also excelled in the classroom as she has been recognized on the honor roll with distinction all of her school years to date. If you don't find her with a ball at her feet, Abrey would be found running, another passion of hers. She decided to sign with the University of Memphis because of the successful soccer program as well as the friendly atmosphere of the school and team. Abrey is planning on majoring in health studies at Memphis and is the daughter of Jodi and Kevin Abrey.

Coach Monaghan on Abrey
Claire is a tireless worker. In addition to seeing her compete on the field, we had the opportunity to witness her work ethic when she attended our camp. From the moment we saw her play, we knew this was a player we wanted on our team. She is an absolute workhorse in the midfield. She's someone that never stops working for 90 minutes.

Tanya Boychuk – Forward/Midfielder - Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Boychuk joins the Tigers with a vast amount of playing experience, including at the international level. Most recently, Boychuk competed with current Tiger Jessica Lisi on the U20 Women's Canadian National Team at the 2018 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifer. Boychuk earned a start in two of the contests and scored a goal in the 4-0 shutout victory over Haiti.

As a member of the Archbishop O'Leary High School team, Boychuk helped lead her squad to being High School Champions in the City of Edmonton. She is a member of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite Super REX Program under the direction of coach Emma Humphries.

In addition to playing soccer, Boychuk enjoys yoga as well as tennis and diving and is fluent in three languages; English, Ukrainian, and French. Boychuk was a member of Canada's Jr. National Diving Team in 2015 and 2016 and was a medalist at the Pan-Am Games. She is currently in the Rosary Club and does work in the cafeteria all while earning Grade 11 Honors. Boychuk chose the University of Memphis because of the strong soccer program along with a good balance of academics. She is planning on majoring in business administration and is the daughter of Orysia and Vlodko Boychuk.

Coach Monaghan on Boychuk
Tanya is an experienced player who has earned caps with the Canadian Youth National team. She is an attacking-minded player who has the ability to play anywhere up top with a knack for scoring goals. Tanya has a strong work ethic and does whatever it takes to score goals for her team.

Beatrice Currie – Forward/Midfielder - Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada

Currie comes to Memphis from Sydney, Nova Scotia and the Cape Breton Football Club. Although she was unable to play soccer for her high school due to conflicts with the Canadian National EXCEL Program, Currie has had a very successful past on the soccer field.

In 2017, Currie helped lead Team Nova Scotia to a bronze medal in the Canada Games with a team-leading five goals in five matches. She also participated in the 2017 Senior Women's Canadian National Championship where she was the leading goal scorer for Halifax Dunbrack, the team representing Nova Scotia. In 2015, Currie was the Soccer Nova Scotia Youth Player of the Year.

Currie enjoys coaching youth soccer, traveling, cooking, and working out at the gym in her free time. She is also an avid skier, hiker and basketball player while not playing soccer. In addition to her athletic skills, Currie is a member of the Student Government and a program called 'Best Buddies' which works with special needs students within the school. Currie chose the University of Memphis because she wanted to challenge herself athletically in an environment where education is a priority and she also wanted to experience a new country and culture. The daughter of Tom Currie and Stacey Northgrave, Currie currently is undecided in her major.

Coach Monaghan on Currie
Beatrice is a versatile player who we see as a future midfielder or forward. She is extremely hardworking who has the ability to make things happen. Beatrice combines athleticism with a strong technical game that has the ability to get behind back lines and score goals for her team.

Caroline Duncan – Defender/Midfielder - Memphis, Tenn.

Duncan, a native of Memphis, signs with the University of Memphis alongside her twin sister, Grace. In addition to being a four-year letterwinner and three-year captain of her high school soccer team, Duncan competed on the track and field team in 2016 in the 400 and 800-meter runs. As a two-year captain of her CSA Lady Lobos Rush club team, Duncan helped lead her team to a 2017 State Championship.

When off of the soccer field, Duncan enjoys volleyball, tennis, and working out. Some of her favorite hobbies include spending time outside, hanging out with friends and reading. Duncan is a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Culinary Club, Best Buddies Club, Latin Club, and flag football and has been an honors student all four years of high school.

Duncan decided to sign with the University of Memphis because she wanted to be challenged at the next level, not only in soccer, but academically. Memphis has a beautiful campus with wonderful people and she is excited to be a part of the university the soccer program. With plans in majoring in chemistry, Duncan is the daughter of Jon and Kari Duncan.

Coach Monaghan on Duncan
Caroline is a hard-working player who possesses great character. I feel that Caroline has the ability to play in multiple positions due to her athleticism. Caroline can bring an aggressive edge to her game, which can benefit us on both sides of the ball.

Grace Duncan – Forward/Midfielder - White Station High School

Duncan and her twin sister, Caroline, come to Memphis as natives of the mid-south. Just like her twin, Duncan was a four-year letterwinner on the White Station varsity girl's soccer team. As a freshman, sophom*ore, and junior, Duncan was a nominee for the Commercial Appeal's Best of the Preps award. She is also a member of the CSA Lady Lobos Rush club team, where she helped lead her team to the 2017 Tennessee State Championship.

Off the pitch, Duncan enjoys listening to music, hanging out with family and friends and being outdoors. She also enjoys hiking and running and has been a member of the flag football team at her high school. A four-year honor roll recipient, Duncan decided to sign with the University of Memphis because she wanted to challenge herself as an athlete and as a student. She loves the campus and the competitive environment the university has to offer.

When arriving to Memphis, Duncan is currently undecided in her major. She is the daughter of Jon and Kari Duncan.

Coach Monaghan on Duncan
Grace is an extremely crafty player who has the ability to create opportunities in the final third on a consistent basis. She possesses a winner's mentality. Grace checks all the boxes of the prototypical forward that consistently plays here at the University of Memphis.

Lydia Herring – Forward/Midfielder – Memphis, Tenn.

Herring, another player from the mid-south, comes to Memphis from Hutchison School in Memphis, Tenn. but resides in Olive Branch, Miss. A versatile player, Herring has played up top as well as on defense for her team. Herring has been on the varsity squad all four years and helped lead her team to the High School semifinals in 2016. She was an All-Region selection in 2015-18, an All-Metro pick in 2015-17, and an All-State selection in 2017.

She also was a member of her high school's track and field team, competing in the 100-meter dash, 300-meter hurdles, 400-meter run, and long jump as a freshman and sophom*ore. Herring is a member of the Lobos Rush club team in Collierville and was an ODP '99 team member from 2011-16.

In addition to soccer, Herring enjoys drawing, photography, hiking, hanging out with friends and eating Ethiopian food. In high school she has been a member of the Athletic Council, the Wilson Society, and the National Honor Society. Herring decided to sign with Memphis because of the art department and the culture that surrounds the university. She is the daughter of Thomas and Shannon Herring and plans on majoring in art at Memphis.

Coach Monaghan on Herring
Lydia has played multiple positions in her career which will only benefit us here, bringing a number of different options of her game to the table. She is a competitor who wears her heart on her sleeve. I believe a player of her ability will flourish in our environment.

Myah Jalal – Forward/Midfielder - Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Jalal is one of four Canadians to sign with the Tigers this spring, coming from Edmonton, Alberta and Vimy Ridge Academy. A three-sport athlete, Jalal is also a track and field runner and a competitive swimmer. In 2017, Jalal was a member of Team Alberta in the Canada Summer Games and was on the U13, U14, and U15 Team Alberta squads.

As a member of the Scottish Angels Major League Women's club, Jalal has over four years of experience with FCE REX/RPC and is a current member of the Canada National Pool of Players.

She enjoys coaching the U10 Phoenix FC Girls team when not competing herself as well as sports photography, reading, drawing and working out. She is also an avid hiker, kayaker, and fisherman. Academically, Jalal has earned Honors and Merit in grades 9-12 and is a part of the mentorship program. Jalal chose the University of Memphis because she respects how it values academics as much as the team. She loved the coaches and the team and is looking forward to attending the university. The daughter of Sohail and Kim Jalal, she plans on majoring in psychology at Memphis.

Coach Monaghan on Jalal
Myah is a center-mid that is a hard-working, technical player. We feel that she will help add depth to our midfield as she plays with a big heart and a lot of passion. She is quick and has the ability to cover a lot of ground in the center of the park.

Allie Rathbun – Defender - Savannah, Ga.

Rathbun joins the Memphis program from the Jacksonville Armada FC. From 2014-16, Rathbun was a member of the Georgia State ODP Team as well as the Region III ODP Team.

She enjoys volunteering in her community, going to the beach, and playing with her dog, Lucky, when not on the soccer pitch. She also enjoys paddle boarding, spike ball, and wiffle ball in her spare time. Rathbun is a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Origami Club at her high school. Academically, Rathbun has earned Excellence Honors all four years of high school and is a member of the National Honor Society. She also has earned the Georgia Certificate of Merit and the Columbia College Certificate Award, is a Furman Scholar and a 2017 Junior Fellow Scholar.

Rathbun chose the University of Memphis because she knew she would be able to thrive not only athletically, but academically as well. She is excited to be able to purse her dream of becoming a nurse while playing the sport she loves for a great team and great coaches. Rathbun is planning on majoring in nursing and is the daughter of John and Melanie Rathbun.

Coach Monaghan on Rathbun
Allie is an extremely athletic player that we see best utilized in the back. She is a versatile player with the ability to play as an outside midfielder. She is extremely fast and athletic and as a result is a good 1-v-1 defender. I believe she has the right character to fit in with our program in all of its facets.

Lauren Schultz – Forward/Midfielder - Wheeling, W.Va.

Schultz comes to Memphis as a four-year letterwinner at Wheeling Park High School in West Virginia. In 2014 and 2017, Schultz helped lead her team to a OVAC Championship. She also was a part of the 2014 regional and sectional championship team and the 2017 sectional championship squad. Schultz has been named First-Team All-State, All-OVAC, and All-Conference at Wheeling Park.

She is also a member of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and has competed for the PA West ODP. Schultz enjoys running and biking riding as well as partaking in art during her free time. At Wheeling Park, Schultz is a member of the National Honor Society as well as the NSHSS. She has been a part of the Drug Free Club, the Key Club, Hi-Y and is a freshman mentor and a Miracle League volunteer.

Schultz decided to sign with the University of Memphis because she loved everything about it and knew that it was the place she wanted to attend the first time she stepped foot on campus. Currently undecided, Schultz is the daughter of Krystal Schultz.

Coach Monaghan on Schultz
Lauren possesses the qualities that we look for in a traditional number nine. She is a strong, physical player who strikes the ball well. I believe that Lauren has the innate ability to be in the right place and right time to score goals.

Maddie Stoks – Defender - Greenfield, Minn.

Stoks comes to Memphis after celebrating a successful high school career. In addition to earning letters in soccer every season, Stoks earned two letters in Lacrosse as an attacker at Benilde-St. Margaret's. Twice, she helped lead her high school team to a State Championship title and three times during club soccer.

As an outside defender and midfielder, Stoks is a two-time All-State team member, three-time All-Conference player, a 2017 Miss Minnesota finalist, an All-Minnesota Metro Team member, and a two-time All-Tournament team selection. She is a member of Minneapolis United, a club team ranked in the top 50 in the United States. She also has had the opportunity to train in Natal, Brazil in 2014 and was a Minnesota ODP starter in 2013 and 2014.

Stoks enjoys photography, journalism and hiking as well as training at F-I-T and hanging out with friends. She has had a busy high school career off the pitch as she is a member of the Link Crew, the Knightlife, the Red Knight Volunteer Corp, the National Art Society and is a student ambassador and a Eucharistic Minister. She also was the Yearbook Chief Editor and the Link Crew Commissioner all while earning the Spotlight on Scholarship Academic Award. Stoks chose the University of Memphis because of the tight-knit community and the focus on the Business School. She plans on majoring in business sales and marketing and is the daughter of Greg Stoks.

Coach Monaghan on Stoks
Maddie is a feisty defender who has no fear when playing her position. Her willingness to put in a tackle was something that drew us to her. I believe she is going to add depth to our backline, as she is a player who can get up and down the field. She possesses the scrappiness you need to be a successful defender.