Feb. 7, 2014
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Finding the best in his own backyard has been a staple of WKU Soccer head coach Jason Neidell’s recruiting philosophy and his 2014 signing class emphasizes that with the addition of three Kentucky prep stars to the WKU roster.
Neidell and his staff filled recruiting needs at three different positions with his in-state signees Sarah Gorham, Alexandria Hoefler and Katie Workman. With a combined 10 Kentucky State Championships between club and high school soccer under their belts, Neidell is excited to see his Bluegrass State recruits in Lady Topper uniforms.
This is the first of a four-part series detailing the nine-member 2014 WKU Soccer signing class that features the following: Hannah Chua (5’2, Midfielder, Claremont, Calif.), Shayna Dheel (5’2, Forward, Plainfield, Ill.), Sarah Gorham (5’7, Midfielder, Lexington, Ky.), Alexandria Hoefler (5’6, Goalkeeper, Louisville, Ky.), Nahyo Jalajel (5’6, Midfielder, Fayetteville, Ga.), Andrea Larsen (5’9, Midfielder, Strongsville, Ohio), Allison Leone (5’10, Goalkeeper, Kennesaw, Ga.), Bria Mosley (5’3, Forward, Conyers, Ga.) and Katie Workman (5’4, Defender, Lexington, Ky.).
Below, we take a closer look at Gorham, Hoefler and Workman.
Sarah Gorham (5’7, Midfielder, Lexington, Ky.)
Gorham heads south to Bowling Green after a stellar prep career with Lexington FC and Lexington Catholic High School. A playmaker with great assisting and scoring ability, Gorham captained Lexington FC to five Kentucky State Cup titles, a 2012 Disney College Showcase Championship and a runner-up finish at the 2013 Disney College Showcase. Four of Gorham’s five Kentucky State Cup titles with Lexington FC came alongside fellow WKU signee Katie Workman.
At Lexington Catholic High School, Gorham was named First-Team All-State during her junior and senior seasons while earning First-Team Academic All-State honors during each of her last three seasons. She was also a three-time First-Team All-Region and All-District selection. Soccer runs Gorham’s in her veins, as her older sister Mary Beth was named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Freshman of the Year and First-Team All-Conference during her 2013 season at Bellarmine University.
Neidell on Gorham: “Sarah Gorham is a very composed, possession-oriented midfielder. Although she racked up some goals playing forward in high school, we expect her to become a great addition in the Lady Topper midfield.”
Alexandria Hoefler (5’6, Goalkeeper, Louisville, Ky.)
Hoefler heads to the Hill after a great season in between the posts for Ballard High School, shutting out nine opponents in route to earning Defensive Most Valuable Player honors from her team. One of Hoefler’s nine shutouts came in a victory over rival Eastern High School, a feat that hadn’t been accomplished in Ballard’s program history. She’s played six season of club soccer with United 1996 FC and been a co-captain during each of the past two seasons.
Neidell on Hoefler: “Alex Hoefler has been a staple at our camps over the years. We have watched her develop as a goalkeeper right in front of our eyes. She is a very solid shot-stopper who also plays extremely well with her feet.”
Katie Workman (5’4, Defender, Lexington, Ky.)
Workman joins the Lady Toppers after an illustrious prep career with Kentucky ODP, Lexington FC and Tates Creek High School. The center back played two seasons for Kentucky ODP and six seasons with Lexington FC, where she won four Kentucky State Cup titles alongside fellow WKU signee Sarah Gorham. Workman also sparked Tates Creek High School to a State Championship as a junior, earning First-Team All-State honors in the process. She was a First-Team All-City selection as a senior and was named First-Team Academic All-State all four years of high school.
Neidell on Workman: “Katie Workman is an aggressive defender who often had the thankless task growing up of shutting down her opponent’s best player. She is a very good 1v1 defender who also has the ability to get forward in the attack.”
