Soccer Announces Addition of Shelby Desroches
1/14/2019 12:44:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Final Incoming Freshman Class Set At Seven
Shelby Desroches, a forward originally from Atlanta, had played club in Georgia for the Concorde Fire. While residing Houston the past two years, she has played club locally for Rise Soccer and in high school at nearby Saint John's. Her father, Reggie Desroches, is the dean of Engineering at Rice.
With the initial set of soccer newcomers announced last November, the 2019 Rice freshman class includes forwards Desroches, 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).
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 Shelby Desroches
Club — Offensive catalyst for Rise Soccer Club of Houston and Concorde Fire in Atlanta, Ga.… Helped Concorde Fire finish third in the nation in the 2016 ECNL Championships.
High School — Attends St. John's School in Houston… All Southwest Preparatory Conference (SPC) honoree as a junior in 2018… Helped lead the Mavericks to second place in the SPC state championship tournament, the program's best finish in school history… Coached by Susan Quill… Also competed in varsity track & field… Presidential Honors Award… Governor's Honors Program Nominee.
Personal — Full name: Shelby Theresa Desroches. Parents: Reggie and Paula Desroches (two brothers, Jacob and Andrew). Shelby and the Desroches family are originally from Atlanta, Ga. Her father is the Dean of Engineering at Rice. She chose to attend Rice over Harvard and the United States Naval Academy.
Saint John's School Head Coach Susan Quill said — "Shelby arrived at St. John's School as a junior transfer from Atlanta. The first practice of preseason I felt as if a gift had dropped in the team's lap. Shelby made an immediate impact, earned a starting position, and finished the season as a team MVP. She is lightning-fast, aggressive, and a goal-scorer. Shelby is a threat to any defense with her ability to strike a ball with both feet and to get in behind the backline. Not only does she have a knack for scoring goals, she also has the composure and vision to play make and assist. She isn't afraid to get in the mix, and all the while will have a smile on her face. She is certainly a next level player with her speed and attitude alone."
Shelby Desroches said — "I chose Rice because of the wonderful dynamic of the team as well as the prestigious academics the university has to offer. Additionally, after visiting, I observed the care that the coaching staff has for each and every player in their academics, in their improvement as soccer players, and in their growth as individuals. After meeting the staff and touring the campus, I knew that I was ready to call Rice home."