NORMAN – University of Oklahoma head soccer coach
Matt Mott announced the addition of seven signees to the program's 2024 recruiting class Thursday.
Kylie Briscoe,
Laney Kalsu,
Ella Lewis,
Morgan Paley,
Juliette Rayo,
Savannah Wylie and
Lilian Zamorano will join the Sooners as freshmen for the 2024 season.
The seven signees include one goalkeeper, four defenders and two midfielders. Kalsu, Lewis, Paley, Rayo and Wylie join OU from the state of Texas, Briscoe is from Georgia and Zamorano is from Germany.
"I'm excited to announce the 2024 Sooner Soccer recruiting class," said Mott. "It's filled with great players from top to bottom. We've added goalkeeping, defenders, attacking midfielders, players who are going to help us all over the field. This is a group that will help us with our depth and be special players for us next season and beyond."
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KYLIE BRISCOE / D / CARROLLTON, GA.
A defender from Carrollton High School in Carrollton, Ga. … Two-time first-team all-region selection … Plays her club soccer with Concorde Fire Platinum … Earned first-team all-conference honors with Concorde … Ranked No. 107 among the IMG Academy Top 150 … Three-sport athlete also competed in track & field and flag football … Ranked No. 4 in the pole vault in the state of Georgia … National Honor Society member … Student council member … Honor roll student.
PERSONAL: Daughter of Dena and Jason Briscoe … Has one sibling (Grant) … Enjoys baking and lifting … Loves the outdoors, animals and food … Intended physiology major.
WHY OKLAHOMA? "Oklahoma is my home away from home. All of my family is here, and I grew up as a Sooner fan. It's pretty hard to say no to Oklahoma. Everyone's family here."
OU HEAD COACH MATT MOTT ON BRISCOE:
"Kylie plays for Concorde Fire, one of the top clubs in Georgia. She is a strong, powerful center back who will come in and certainly compete for playing time right away as a freshman. She is someone who we are looking forward to adding to the team and will be starting with us in the spring, which is certainly going to help her development. Sooner fans are going to love watching her play the next four years."
LANEY KALSU / D / AUSTIN, TEXAS
A defender from St. Michael's Catholic Academy in Austin, Texas … Two-time all-state selection … Three-time member of the all-state tournament team … Led St. Michael's to a runner-up TAPPS 5A D1 State Tournament finish in 2022 and a semifinals berth in 2023 … Won the 2021 UIL 5A State Championship with Dripping Springs HS … Two-time all-district honoree … Two-time academic all-state recipient and three-time academic all-district selection … Plays her club soccer with Sting Austin … Regarded as a 3-star prospect by Top Drawer Soccer … Named a Top Drawer Soccer Standout Nov. 21 and 23 … Participated in the Elite Club National League (ECNL) Tennessee Selection Game … Also competed in cross country and track & field … State finalist in each of her four years of cross country … Two-time TAPPS 5A D1 Cross Country Championships individual runner-up … State finalist in the 800 meter run, 400 meter run and 4x400 meter relay as a sophomore.
PERSONAL: Daughter of Tara and Bart Kalsu … Has two siblings … Sister, Avery, played volleyball at Tulsa … Brother, Bryce, competed in track & field at Davidson … Dad is a cousin of former OU and Buffalo Bills football player Bob Kalsu … Loves to read … Volunteers at a local food bank and has a passion for impacting her community … Has four dogs … Plans to begin a pre-law track with an intended major in political science, psychology or English.
WHY OKLAHOMA? "I was interested in a program that had the coaches and the support to be successful. I wanted to go to a place where I can make an impact on the practice field and in games. My family also has strong ties to OU, as my dad's cousin played football here. I am honored to carry on that tradition."
OU HEAD COACH MATT MOTT ON KALSU:
"Laney plays for Sting Austin. She's a strong center back who will come in and certainly help us in our defensive back line. She's not afraid of a tackle, will work hard and hits great service. We're certainly excited to watch Laney here in Norman."
ELLA LEWIS / M / MCKINNEY, TEXAS
A midfielder from McKinney Boyd High School in McKinney, Texas … Scored a team-high 20 goals as a junior and led her team to the 6A Region 1 semifinal … Named 5-6A First Team, all-district and Co-Midfielder of the Year … TGCA 6A all-state honoree … TASCO all-region team … Dallas News All-Area First Team selection … Star Local Media All-Region selection … Plays her club soccer with U19 FC Dallas in the Elite Club National League (ECNL) … Spent the 2022-23 season with U19 Sting in the ECNL … Named a 3-star prospect by Top Drawer Soccer and named to the IMG Academy Top 150 … Ranked as the No. 24 player in the state of Texas … Multiple-time weekly standout and Showcase Player to Watch … Scored 12 goals and had seven assists in The Texas Conference last season … Captained the Sting U16 and U17 clubs … National Honor Society member … Three-year member of the "All-A" Honor Roll … Volunteers with United Way, the Boys and Girls Club and Santa's Helpers.
PERSONAL: Daughter of Steve and Jenny Lewis … Has one sibling (Sydney) … Enjoys tennis, pickle ball, baking, working out and spending time with her friends, family and dogs … Took first place in a fishing competition … Won three super bowls in a boys flag football league … intended sports business major.
WHY OKLAHOMA? "The University of Oklahoma is my school of choice for several reasons. OU's strong academic programs and wide array of majors aligned very well with my educational goals. The campus culture has always made me feel at home through its welcoming nature, student camaraderie and a strong sense of community. As an athlete, the extensive resources and support for women's athletics at OU was superior to other schools I evaluated. The coaches and staff are supportive of me as an athlete, as a student and as a female. The traditions at OU are magnetic, and they instantly drew me into feeling a strong sense of pride for the school. I feel at home whenever I am on campus, and I can't wait to begin my journey in Norman."
OU HEAD COACH MATT MOTT ON LEWIS:
"Ella is a member of the FC Dallas club, which is one of the best clubs in the country. Ella's got one of the best left-foots in Dallas, maybe in the country. She's going to be great. She has an ability to score goals and truly works hard out of the midfield. We're excited to add Ella to this class. She'll join us in the spring and will be a fun player to watch."
MORGAN PALEY / GK / MCKINNEY, TEXAS
A goalkeeper from McKinney North High School in McKinney, Texas … Named 2022-23 district goalkeeper of the year after posting 17 shutouts in 27 matches with a 0.44 goals-against average … Did not allow a goal in district play while leading her team to an undefeated district championship … Led McKinney North to a bi-district championship, an area championship and a semifinals appearance in the Texas state regional playoffs … 2021-22 all-district honorable mention … 2020-21 all-district second team … Named team's varsity newcomer of the year as a freshman … Two-time academic all-district recipient … Plays her club soccer with Solar SC in the Elite Club National League (ECNL) … Regarded as a 3-star prospect by Top Drawer Soccer … Ranked as the No. 13 goalkeeper nationally and No. 2 Texas Conference goalkeeper by TDS … Ranked as the No. 5 goalkeeper nationally and the No. 2 GK in the state of Texas by Prep Soccer … Guided her club to the 2022-23 ECNL Nationals Finals and the 2021-22 ECNL Nationals Final Four … Earned an ECNL Texas Conference Championship … ECNL All-Conference Second Team selection … Three-time USYNT Identification Center participant … Olympic Development Program (ODP) North Texas First Team selection … Named to the ODP South Region Team … Graduated in December with a class rank of second out of 512 students … Earned the McKinney North Academic Excellence Award and was named an AP Scholar of Distinction … National Honor Society member … Volunteered with Peer Assistance and Leadership (PALS), the Special Olympics and the American Heart Association.
PERSONAL: Daughter of Regina and Mike Paley … Has one sibling (Luke) … Enjoys traveling, reading and playing the piano … Plans to begin a pre-med track at OU.
WHY OKLAHOMA? "When I came to OU for my official visit, I fell in love with the campus and atmosphere. The value that the Oklahoma Athletic Department places on their women's sports programs and the support they provide played a big part in my decision. Another key factor was OU's location. Its proximity to my hometown allows my family to easily see me play. After seeing the culture Coach Mott and his staff are creating and the impact it has had on the current team, I am excited to be a part of OU Soccer and continue building the program."
OU HEAD COACH MATT MOTT ON PALEY:
"Morgan plays for the Solar Soccer Club, one of the best clubs in the country. She's been the goalkeeper there for several years. She's someone who will come in and immediately strengthen our goalkeeping. We want our goalkeepers to be some of the best in the country, and I think we found a great one in Morgan. She plays at a powerhouse high school in Dallas as well. We're very excited to add Morgan to our team."
JULIETTE RAYO / M / WYLIE, TEXAS
A midfielder from Rockwall High School in Rockwall, Texas … first team all-district honoree … Named Rockwall Varsity Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore … Academic all-district recipient … Plays her club soccer for FC Dallas … Earned a Bayern Munich Team invite … Three-time Elite Club National League (ECNL) All-Conference First Team selection … 2021-22 ECNL All-American … Six-year participant at the USYNT ID Centers … Named to the ECNL Playoffs Top Drawer Soccer Best XI … Invited to the U14 USYNT Central Mini Camp … "A" honor roll student.
PERSONAL: Daughter of Servando and Elvira Rayo … Has three siblings (Isabella, Delcy and Maxi) … Enjoys spending time with friends and family, watching movies and TV shows … Is the oldest of her four siblings … Loves visiting her parents' village in Mexico … Is a certified medical assistant … Plans to major in biochemistry.
WHY OKLAHOMA? "I chose Oklahoma because it's a great university and it is close to home. I love the culture within the team, the style of play and the coaching staff. Oklahoma has great academics and competitive athletic programs."
OU HEAD COACH MATT MOTT ON RAYO:
"Juliette is another FC Dallas product, a crafty goal-scoring midfielder. She plays in the 10 position and is really dangerous, great with the ball and will help us create attack going forward. She's really going to help us next year. Sooner fans will love watching Juliette play."
SAVANNAH WYLIE / D / HIGHLAND VILLAGE, TEXAS
A defender from Marcus High School in Flower Mound, Texas … Captained her team to a Texas 6A State Championship … Named to the THSCA 6A Super Elite Team … Academic all-district recipient … Plays her club soccer with Sting Black in the Elite Club National League (ECNL) … Named to 2022-23 ECNL Texas All-Conference First Team … Appeared in the 2023 ECNL Florida National Selection Game … National Society of High School Scholars member … Volunteers as a youth soccer coach.
PERSONAL: Daughter of John and Jennifer Wylie … Has one sibling (Davis) … Dad played soccer at North Texas before playing professionally in Germany … Enjoys working out, hanging out with her friends, traveling and shopping … intends to major in kinesiology/physical therapy.
WHY OKLAHOMA? "Oklahoma has always been a big part of my family. My grandfather played football at OU so I was born and raised a Sooner fan. The tradition and environment are ones of champions. I have always wanted to play for and contribute to OU Soccer and help bring home a championship."
OU HEAD COACH MATT MOTT ON WYLIE:
"Coming from the Sting Black soccer club, Savannah is an outside back who can get up and down the field. She can put in really good crosses and is a great one-on-one defender. We're certainly thrilled to add Savannah to our team."
LILIAN ZAMORANO / D / COLOGNE, GERMANY
A defender from Gymnasium Rodenkirchen in Cologne, Germany … Played in the Football Association of the Middle Rhine and Lower Saxony Football Association … Earned finals appearances in both state championships … Plays her club soccer with VFL Wolfsburg II … spent 2013-21 with 1.FC Köln … Two-time Snow Cup champion … Two-time B-Junior champion … Won the District Cologne Cup and C-Junior German Futsal Championship.
PERSONAL: Daughter of Ursula Zamorano … Has one sibling (Jolina) … Enjoys basketball, reading, spending time with friends and attending concerts … Undecided on a major.
WHY OKLAHOMA? "Oklahoma's amenities, both soccer-wise and academically, are extremely impressive. I see great potential for me to develop and get better as a soccer player. I had great conversations with the coaching staff and the team, and I really liked the academics at OU. I felt comfortable and welcome on my visit."
OU HEAD COACH MATT MOTT ON ZAMORANO:
"Lilian is joining us as another defender on our back line. She also can play in midfield, is technically excellent with the ball and tactically understands the game at a high level. She plays for Wolfsburg, which is one of the best clubs in the world, and is another strong player from Germany who I think is going to really help our team. I'm ecstatic to add Lilian to our program."
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