Feb. 12, 2004

LARAMIE, Wyo. -

University of Wyoming head soccer coach, Anne Moore, announced today the singing of four high school students to national letters of intent to attend UW in the fall of 2004. Jessica Brown of Littleton, Colo., Tiffany Holly of Cheyenne, Wyo., Ashley Sheppard of Highlands Ranch, Colo., and Andrea Soltau of Littleton, Colo. will all join the Cowgirls this fall. The Cowgirls will also welcome Christina Best, a transfer from LSU, who is currently enrolled at UW this semester.

Christina Best, 5-7, defense, Littleton, Colo. (Arapahoe High School)

Best transfers to Wyoming from Louisiana State University after playing just one season with the Tigers. Last season, she played in all 20 of LSU's games, starting 14. She scored three goals and notched one assist. She was also named to the Tiger Classic All-Tournament Team this season.

At Arapahoe High School, she earned three varsity letters while leading her team to the 2000 and 2001 state championships. A Second Team All-State selection her senior season, she was also an honor roll student.

Best enrolled at UW this spring and is currently participating in spring drills with the Cowgirls.

"We are really excited to get a player of Christina's caliber," said UW head coach Anne Moore. "She is a great competitor and has the will and strength to win balls all over the field. She will have a big impact on our team this spring as well as next fall. We recruited her to come here last year but it didn't happen. We are very excited that she decided to transfer."

Jessica Brown, 5-6, defense and midfield, Littleton, Colo. (Heritage High School)

Brown joins her high school teammate Andrea Soltau to play for the Cowgirls this fall. She was a three-time letterwinner at Heritage High School while leading her team to the state championship game in 2003. She was First Team All-Conference selection as well as an honorable mention All-State selection in 2003. Along with Soltau, she is a team captain this season.

She is also a member of the Heritage High School honor roll.

"Jessica is a versatile player who has the speed and skills to attack from the back or midfield and put her opponent under pressure," said Moore. "She is a tenacious defender who will bring strength to our defense. She will make an immediate impact as a freshman."

Tiffany Holly, 5-2, forward, Cheyenne, Wyo. (Central High School)

Holly was a three time letterwinner in soccer and a four time letterwinner in track at Central High School. She helped lead her team to the 2003 South Conference Championship and a third place finish at state. She was an All-State, All-Conference and All-Region selection her senior year. She was named to the Wyoming select team in 2002 and 2003. Her high school track and field team won the state championship all four years of her high school career. She is a member of the National Honor Roll, Student Senate and Who's Who Among American High School Students.

"Tiffany is one of the top goal scorers in the state of Wyoming and has the strength to get in behind the defense and punish teams," said Moore. "She works hard both on and off of the ball which helps her to create more opportunities. She will be a great addition to our forward line."

Ashley Sheppard, 5-10, goalkeeper, Highlands Ranch, Colo. (Highlands Ranch High School)

Sheppard comes to Wyoming as a four-time letterwinner in soccer as well as a four-time academic letterwinner at Highlands Ranch High School. She was a three-time captain as well as an All-Sate honorable mention selection her junior year.

She is a National Honor Society Member, a four time honor roll member and a member of the Spanish National Honor Society.

"Ashley is technically a very sound goalkeeper," said Moore. "She reads the game very well and has a good understanding of the game which will enable her to lead the team from the back. She will provide us with some good size in the goal."

Andrea Soltau, 5-8, midfield, Littleton, Colo. (Heritage High School)

Soltau joins her high school teammate Jessica Brown to play for the Cowgirls this fall. She was an All-State selection in 2003 as well as a second team All-League selection for the Continental Conference. This season she was selected as a captain, along with Brown.

She is also a member of the Heritage High School Honor Roll.

"Andrea is a solid wide midfielder who will provide us with great speed and athleticism on the outside," said Moore. "She positions herself well defensively and is dangerous on the attack with the ability to cut inside and go to the goal or to cross a ball to the middle. We are excited to have a player with her work ethic and attitude."