Lee Announces Addition of Four Freshmen
6/16/2025 11:30:00 AM | Women's Soccer
HOUSTON – Rice soccer head coach Brian Lee has announced the additions of four new athletes as part of the 2025 freshman class. Chelsea Cross (Manvel, Texas), Jadyn Jaeger (Buda, Texas), Laurel Kelley (Missouri City, Texas) and Sam Walker (Austin, Texas) are all set to join the Owls on South Main for the upcoming 2025 season.
"I am very excited about the potential for this freshman class," Lee said. "Short term, they bring attributes the team needs right now, great height and aerial dominance, plus positive attacking dimensions on both set pieces and creativity in the run of play. Long term, the staff identified all four as having strong leadership characteristics, work ethic, and growth mindsets that will give them the opportunity to maximize themselves as students and athletes while at Rice."
Cross joins the Owls after spending two years playing for Manvel High School before focusing on club soccer her junior and senior years with Rise SC. During her two years with the Mavericks, the team made it to the third round of the playoffs for the first time in school history. With Rise SC, the club was third in the Frontier Conference, finishing 30th out of 113 teams in the Girls Academy League. Cross graduated third in her class of 513 students and was a member of the National Honor Society. Her dad and coach, Kevin, is the most successful coach in UTEP history, including a historic NCAA Tournament victory over Texas in 2005 after being down 0-2 with ten minutes left before winning 3-2 in overtime.
Jaeger joins Rice after spending four years with Moe and Gene Johnson High School, also playing club with Sting Austin. Leading the Jaguars to an 11-4-6 record her senior season, Jaeger finished with 16 goals and 15 assists, being crowned Bi-District champions. Jaeger was named the 29-6A Midfielder of the Year and was First Team All-District her senior year. She finished her career in district play with 37 goals and 43 assists. Jaeger was a dual-sport athlete, competing on the track and field team, and was also a First Team Academic All-State and a member of the National Honor Society.
Kelley arrives at South Main after spending her high school years at Ridge Point, also competing with Rise SC. The Panthers were a combined 92-7-8 during Kelley's time, being crowned District 20 champions all four years. Kelley finished with 20 goals and 17 assists her senior season to amass a total of 68 goals and 49 assists in her career. Ridge Point was the 2023 Texas State 6A Finalist and state semifinalist in 2022. She finished her career as a two-time district MVP in 2024 and 2025 and was named TCGA All-State 6A Team in both seasons as well. Kelley is also a four-time Academic All-District and was named TGCA Academic All-State.
Walker joins the Owls after playing at Westwood High School, while also playing for Sting Austin. As a goalkeeper, Walker led the Warriors to a 19-4-3 season in her senior year, finishing as a 6A Regional Finalist. Walker finished her senior campaign with 13 shutouts and 117 saves to go with her 33 shutouts and 343 saves over her career. She was a two-time 6A First Team All-State in 2024 and 2025, while also being named the unanimous District Goalkeeper of the Year in both those years. Walker is also a three-time Academic All-District honoree, graduating with a 4.0 GPA.
The Owls are coming off 12-6-2 season, reaching the AAC Semifinals, with Leah Chancey leading the team as the AAC Offensive Player of the Year.
"I am very excited about the potential for this freshman class," Lee said. "Short term, they bring attributes the team needs right now, great height and aerial dominance, plus positive attacking dimensions on both set pieces and creativity in the run of play. Long term, the staff identified all four as having strong leadership characteristics, work ethic, and growth mindsets that will give them the opportunity to maximize themselves as students and athletes while at Rice."
Cross joins the Owls after spending two years playing for Manvel High School before focusing on club soccer her junior and senior years with Rise SC. During her two years with the Mavericks, the team made it to the third round of the playoffs for the first time in school history. With Rise SC, the club was third in the Frontier Conference, finishing 30th out of 113 teams in the Girls Academy League. Cross graduated third in her class of 513 students and was a member of the National Honor Society. Her dad and coach, Kevin, is the most successful coach in UTEP history, including a historic NCAA Tournament victory over Texas in 2005 after being down 0-2 with ten minutes left before winning 3-2 in overtime.
Jaeger joins Rice after spending four years with Moe and Gene Johnson High School, also playing club with Sting Austin. Leading the Jaguars to an 11-4-6 record her senior season, Jaeger finished with 16 goals and 15 assists, being crowned Bi-District champions. Jaeger was named the 29-6A Midfielder of the Year and was First Team All-District her senior year. She finished her career in district play with 37 goals and 43 assists. Jaeger was a dual-sport athlete, competing on the track and field team, and was also a First Team Academic All-State and a member of the National Honor Society.
Kelley arrives at South Main after spending her high school years at Ridge Point, also competing with Rise SC. The Panthers were a combined 92-7-8 during Kelley's time, being crowned District 20 champions all four years. Kelley finished with 20 goals and 17 assists her senior season to amass a total of 68 goals and 49 assists in her career. Ridge Point was the 2023 Texas State 6A Finalist and state semifinalist in 2022. She finished her career as a two-time district MVP in 2024 and 2025 and was named TCGA All-State 6A Team in both seasons as well. Kelley is also a four-time Academic All-District and was named TGCA Academic All-State.
Walker joins the Owls after playing at Westwood High School, while also playing for Sting Austin. As a goalkeeper, Walker led the Warriors to a 19-4-3 season in her senior year, finishing as a 6A Regional Finalist. Walker finished her senior campaign with 13 shutouts and 117 saves to go with her 33 shutouts and 343 saves over her career. She was a two-time 6A First Team All-State in 2024 and 2025, while also being named the unanimous District Goalkeeper of the Year in both those years. Walker is also a three-time Academic All-District honoree, graduating with a 4.0 GPA.
The Owls are coming off 12-6-2 season, reaching the AAC Semifinals, with Leah Chancey leading the team as the AAC Offensive Player of the Year.
Players Mentioned
MF
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