Soccer Team Signs Six
11/13/2018 5:41:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Meet The Newest Owls
HOUSTON — Rice University head soccer coach Nicky Adams announced the signing of six new Owls to join the program on Wednesday (Nov. 14), the first national day to sign with the sport.
Adams' eighth recruiting class boasts some of the top student-athletes from across North America who join Rice from some of the country's elite club programs. The class includes forwards Izzy McBride (Littleton, Colorado) and Sydney Miller (Houston), midfielders Shiloh Miller (Lakewood, Colorado) and Kendall Robertson (McLean, Virginia), defender Julia Kostecki (British Columbia, Canada), and goalkeeper Taylor Rowe (Scottsdale, Arizona).
The talented new players could play a major role in the upcoming 2019 season. Coach Adams stated the group is also in-line with Rice's challenging academic curriculum. Only a year ago the Rice soccer program posted a 3.77 cumulative team grade point average that was the highest in Division I soccer (including both women's and men's programs).
Under the direction of coach Adams the Rice soccer program has qualified for the C-USA Tournament in each of the last nine consecutive seasons. In that time the Owls have won two C-USA championships and earned two NCAA Tournament berths while also tying the school record for wins in a single season. The signing class is Adams' eighth at the helm of the program. Meet the newest Owls!
High School — Has maintained a 4.0 grade point average while attending Centennial Secondary School... Honour Math program, Honour Roll and Principal List 2016, Honourable mention in 2016 Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Program.
Personal — Full name: Julia Kostecki. Parents: Marek Kostecki and Anna Kostecka of Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada (one brother, Marcin). Chose to attend Rice over Princeton, Vanderbilt and the University of British Columbia.
Club Coach Esteban Mora said — "I have had the pleasure of knowing Julia for the past three years and feel confident she will be an asset to the Owls program both on and off the pitch. Julia leads by example showing determination, competiveness, and compassion in everything she does. A fantastic soccer player and person, she is a role model for her peers as well as the younger generations. With a proven record of succeeding through adversity and setbacks I look forward to seeing Julia take on this new challenge."Julia Kostecki said — "Rice's beautiful campus filled with diverse and welcoming people, as well as their highly motivated soccer program is what made my university decision easy. While watching the Owls compete, I loved their style of play, determination and supportive coaches. I instantly knew it was where I belonged as a player! Outside of soccer I was also looking for outstanding academic opportunities. Rice University has it all! I cant wait to spend the next four years surrounded by teammates, coaches, teaching staff and friends that will push me to be my best!"
Club — Forward for Colorado Rush... U.S. Soccer Training Center participant, 2012-2015... iD2 Program Selection - U.S. Club Soccer's National Identification & Development Program Training... 2015 ODP National Development Camp Participant in Sanford, Fla.... 2014 U.S. Club Soccer Region IV Training Camp in Ojai, Calif.... 2015 ODP Thanksgiving Interregional Event Invitation, Region IV Team... ODP Colorado State Team, 2013-2015... ODP Region IV Pool Selection - 2014-2015... ODP Region IV Championships 2014 (Finalist), 2015... Region IV Development Camp Participant, 2014, 2015.
High School — Attends Heritage High School in Colorado... Two-year varsity soccer letter-winner, named the Eagles' Offensive Player of the Year in 2017... Four-year Academic Honor Roll selection... Member of the National Honors Society.
Personal — Full name: Isabella Jean McBride. Parents: Cris and Sheila McBride of Littleton, Colorado. (one sister, Wylie). Chose to attend Rice over Virginia Tech, Wyoming, Colorado State, Colorado College, Colorado and Utah.
Colorado Rush Head Coach Nick Blanco said — "Izzy McBride is a special player. Rarely do you find someone as selfless and completely dedicated to getting better on and off the field. I have witnessed her lead teams though adversity as well as push though her own personal adversity. She is a person that will not make excuses and always holds others around her to the same high standards. She is a leader that any team would be lucky to have. I can't wait to see how far she can go on and off the field."Izzy McBride said — "Rice has an unparalleled academic and soccer program which I believe will allow me not only to grow as an athlete and student, but will prepare me most for my future. The Rice Soccer program is already one of the best in their conference, and their potential to take home a conference championships and ability to do well in the NCAA tournament is what makes it so special."
High School — Attends D'Evelyn High School near Lakewood, Colorado... Helped lead the Jaguars to the CHSAA 4A state championship in 2017... First Team all-state selection in 2017, finishing second on team in scoring... Honor Roll student all four years... Vice-president of National Honor Society... Member of Spanish Honor Society, Sources of Strength, and Student Voice... Received Citizenship Award junior year.
Personal — Full name: Shiloh Miller. Parents: Todd and Dana Miller of Lakewood, Colorado (two sisters, Jayden and Ayla). Chose to attend Rice over Georgetown, Northwestern and Boston University.
Real Colorado Head Coach Jared Spires said — "Shiloh Miller is driven and dedicated to improve her craft on the soccer field. As a very technically gifted player, she is very strong on the ball and excellent in helping our team maintain possession. She has a dynamic left foot and the ability to create game changing moments with her range of passing, serving and shooting. During our National Championship run in the US Soccer Development Academy, she played through the entire playoffs with a break in her ankle. This points to the intangibles of toughness and competitive drive that help paint the full picture of who she is. I am excited for Shiloh as she gets ready for her next adventure at Rice and expect to continue to see her grow in her love and ability in the game."Shiloh Miller said — "I chose Rice because while it is an excellent academic institution, it also has an amazing soccer program. Rice will challenge me academically while allowing me to grow in passion and ability on the soccer field. When I visited, all the coaches, athletic staff, and players were very passionate about the game and made me feel supported not only as a player but also as a person. I love the style of soccer they play as well as Rice's beautiful campus and fun community. I felt at home at Rice and I can't wait to be a part of such an awesome school and soccer program!"
High School — Attends Second Baptist School in Houston... First Team TAPPS 5A All-State forward as a junior last season... Named the Eagles' team MVP... First Team All-District honoree and TAPPS 5A Academic All-State soccer team... Member of the National Honor Society
Personal — Full name: Sydney Quinn Miller. Parents: Jason and Rhonda Miller of Houston. (one brother, Jake). Chose to attend Rice over Georgia, SMU, Alabama and Indiana.
Challenge Soccer Head Coach Chris Maravalli said — "Sydney is a fantastic front-runner who will make an immediate impact at Rice. She is a powerful athlete, can play anywhere along the front line, and has really developed into a consistent finisher. Syd causes problems for any backline because she can play as both a target and as a vertical runner, while also showing a knack for scoring goals out of the air and from distance with both feet. Sydney will fit in seamlessly at Rice and will undoubtedly flourish in such a competitive environment, academically and athletically. We cannot wait to see Sydney scoring goals for the Owls!"Sydney Miller said — "I chose Rice because Rice will push me to be my best both academically and athletically. I am so impressed by the coaches' enthusiasm and passion for both the university and the soccer program. I grew up going to Rice soccer games hoping to be an Owl one day. I am excited to attend one of the best universities in the country and to compete at the highest level."
High School — Attends McLean High School in Virginia... Four-year varsity starter for soccer team... Named Highlanders' team captain (2018-2019)... First Team All-Region and All-District as junior and All-District as freshmen and sophomore... Versatile athlete also competed in varsity track (2016-2017)... National Honors Society (2017-2019)... President's Volunteer Service Award recipient (2016-2018)... Received Scholar Athlete Award all four years.
Personal — Full name: Kendall Louise Robertson. Parents: Kirk and Lisa Robertson of McLean, Va. (two brothers, Carter and Blake). Chose to attend Rice over Wake Forest, George Washington and Vanderbilt.
McLean Soccer Head Coach Clyde Watson said — "Kendall is the epitome of a successful Mclean youth soccer player. She has played in the Mclean club since she was six years old, and throughout that time she embraced a culture of hard work, commitment and learning. It's those qualities that she will take with her at the next level and why we know she will make a positive contribution to the program at Rice."Kendall Robertson said — "I chose Rice because of the prestigious academics matched with the thriving soccer environment and great opportunity to grow my soccer skills."
Club — Proven goalkeeper for SC del Sol... 2016 ECNL North American Cup Champions (saving combined 8-of-13 PKs in Quarter- and Semifinal games)... 2016 ECNL North American Cup SC Del Sol U16... 2016 U.S. Youth Soccer ODP Region IV International Invitee in Costa Rica... 2016 U.S. Soccer Training Centers... 2015-2016 Arizona ODP Team under Kai Edwards... 2015 U.S. Youth Soccer Inter-Regional ODP Tournament... 2013-2015 Region IV ODP Team... 2014-2015 Arizona ODP Team.
High School — Attends Chaparral High School in Scottsdale, Arizona... Four-year varsity soccer letter-winner under head coach Robyn Carlson... Helped lead the Firebirds to back-to-back state championships in 2017 and 2018... Serves as the program's team captain... Multiple all-conference and all-region honoree.
Personal — Full name: Taylor Jayne Rowe. Parents: Mother: Sandra Wright. Dad: Kevin Rowe. Stepmother: Ashlyn Rowe (one brother, Brixton, and one sister, Adelynn). Chose to attend Rice over Washington, Grand Canyon University, Iowa State and American University.
Soccer del Sol's Director of Goalkeeping, Ally Maxwell, said — "On the day that Taylor Rowe signs her Letter of Intent, I know that Rice University will be getting an amazing competitor. Taylor will compete to be the best goalkeeper, but more importantly, she will strive to be the best Student-Athlete! Congratulations to Taylor, her family and Rice University."Taylor Rowe said — "I chose Rice University for the amazing academics, coaching staff, soccer program and overall student life. From the second I stepped on campus, I knew I was home. What makes Rice Soccer unique is how the coaches influence the players. Everyone knows you have to listen to them on the turf, but off they are very fun and sweet to talk to. This friendly respect allows the players to learn more effectively."
