Lady Rams Ink Five For 2009

The University of Mobile women's soccer program announced the signing of five players Thursday that the coaches expect can take the offense to a new level and give the team a boost heading into 2009.

Christy Lachappelle

Melissa Stovall

Mobile inked Christy Lachappelle and Melissa Stovall from the San Antonio area, and Brianna Simmons, Jazlyn Payne and Jade Payne from the Houston area.

Lachappelle is the sister of current Lady Ram Ashley Lachappelle and is expected to bring a dynamic offensive presence to the field.

“One of our main deficits last year was being unable to score consistently, and we brought her in to fix that problem,” Mobile Head Coach Brian Person said. “She is a proven goal scorer at the high school and club level, and we are looking forward to her coming in and being a threatening player around the goal.”

Stovall was a teammate of Lachappelle’s on the Classics Elite, a club team in San Antonio, and is expected to have a similar impact.

“Melissa is another person we recruited to help with attacking, and she provides a presence at either midfield or striker,” Person said. “She is a very technically sound and athletic player who we are looking to come in and make an impact right away, not only scoring goals, but creating opportunities for others.”

Brianna Simmons

Jazlyn and Jade Payne

Simmons plays club ball for the Nike Rush and offers Mobile some versatility, as she can play in the goal or in the midfield, and be equally good at both.

“We are not sure where Brianna will play right now, but I’d like her to step in and bring a presence in goal so we can move 2008 All-American Anna Maddox out to the field,” Person said. “She can also be an impactful player in the central midfield as she sees the field very well.”

Lastly, twins Jazlyn and Jade continue the theme of added athletic presence coming to the UM soccer field in 2009. Though they have played soccer for only three years, both players bring a lot of upside and talent to Mobile.

“The twins played on the Nike Rush with Brianna and bring more athletic presence to our club,” Person said. “Jazlyn comes in as a defender, while Jade is a forward. Both bring tremendous work ethic and are extremely coachable.”

Aside from the obvious on-the-field talents, all five of the players fit in with what Mobile is all about off the field. The girls all provide good personalities that will mesh with the returning players.