VERMILLION, S.D.—South Dakota soccer head coach Mandy Green is pleased to announce the signing of Amanda Carpio, Taylor Kelly, Taryn LaBree and Miranda Swift to National Letters of Intent. The program also has commitments from Lily Boyle and Morgan Wood.
 
"After losing several fantastic players to graduation, our focus with this signing class was on our attack," said Green. "Our 2016 class of players have shown to be dangerous in the attacking third with their respective club teams, adding speed and competitiveness. The growth and development of our returning team is exciting. The addition of these six players for this fall's roster will only complement our improvements. We envision great things ahead for our program."
 
Of the six players, two each are from the states of South Dakota, Nebraska and Colorado. There are four strikers, a midfielder and a defender in the group.
 
Lily Boyle | Omaha, Neb. | Marian HS | Forward/Midfield | Pre-Physical Therapy
Boyle helped the Crusaders win back-to-back Nebraska state championships as a sophomore and junior. Boyle was a four-year letterwinner at Omaha Marian High School. Under head coach Theresa Degeorge, the Crusaders finished 2015 with a 14-3 record.
 
Coach Green's take: "We are excited about Lily, she's a very quick and crafty midfielder. She's a fierce competitor who can play various positions. We feel Lily will complement our midfield corps and help us to continue developing our attack."
 
Amanda Carpio | Thornton, Colo. | Skyview HS | Forward/Midfield | Medical Biology
Carpio scored 32 goals her senior year to break the Colorado state record for goals scored in a single season. She was an all-state honorable mention and four-year letter-winner at Skyview High School. Carpio sent 63 balls to the back of the net off 265 shots taken in her high school career. She also dished out 31 assists for a total 157 points for the Wolverines. Carpio played club soccer for the Colorado Storm and was named the team's player of the year in 2014. Carpio earned academic all-state honors and was the National Honor Society President. She also won both the school and district science fair.
 
Coach Green's take: "Amanda is a quick, technical and feisty attacking player with a nose for the goal. She's a great player who not only attacks the goal herself, but she also creates dangerous plays for her teammates to score. We are excited about the experience and level of competition she'll bring to the program."
 
Taylor Kelly | Sioux Falls, S.D. | Harrisburg HS | Forward | Nursing
Kelly is a two-time all-state forward at Harrisburg High School. She scored 12 goals and five assists as a junior to be named to South Dakota's Elite 11. Kelly added seven goals and two assists her senior season to earn all-state honors a second time. Kelly also helped the Tigers win the South Dakota state championship as a freshman in 2012. Kelly placed third in the 2015 South Dakota Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) competition.
 
Coach Green's take: "Taylor is an unsung product from the Dakota Alliance who has surprised us with how fast she's been developing and growing as a player. Attacking down the flanks, she creates and finishes a ton of goal scoring opportunities, sometimes materializing from out of nowhere. A great person and family, we are excited to have Taylor join our ever improving attacking corps."
 
Taryn LaBree | Colorado Springs, Colo. | Liberty HS | Forward | Nursing
LaBree was a two-time all-conference honoree at Liberty High School. She scored 22 goals off 32 shots taken in her career for the Lancers. She also dished out 14 assists. LaBree also made two academic all-state teams and was a member of the Order of the Crest.
 
Coach Green's take: "Another member joining our attacking group, Taryn's speed and explosiveness are going to help us create more goal-scoring opportunities in the upcoming seasons. Her tenacity will cause issues for our opponents' defense. A member of the Pride Predator Soccer Club, she has a wealth of playing tough teams from across the nation. We are looking for her to fill some of the void in our forward line left by graduation."
 
Miranda Swift | Papillion, Neb. | La Vista HS | Defense | French and International Studies
Playing with the Gretna Prima Green club team, Swift won the 2015 U19 U.S. Youth Soccer National Championship. Swift has scored 32 goals and dished out 18 assists while starting every game in her first three seasons at Papillion La Vista High School. She led the Monarchs in both scoring and assists her freshman and sophomore seasons. Swift is a three-time Omaha World Herald and Lincoln Journal Star all-state honorable mention pick. Swift won a bronze medal on the National French Test.
 
Coach Green's take: "Another member joining us from the Gretna Soccer Club, Miranda brings her amazing soccer IQ and competitiveness to our youthful defensive unit. She has speed, strength, and quickness to help on both sides of the ball, keeping opposing attackers at bay while also getting down the line and into the attack. We are excited about Miranda as she is a dynamic player with a lot of versatility."
 
Morgan Wood | Rapid City, S.D. | Stevens HS | Midfield | Biology
Wood earned second-team all-state honors as a sophomore in 2013. She was also named the Rookie of the Year in 2012. Wood lettered all four years at Rapid City Stevens High School. Wood is a member of the National Honor Society.
 
Coach Green's take: "A feisty, crafty and tenacious player, Morgan has a never-say-die attitude that offers impact on both sides of the ball. We anticipate her competing for playing time either in midfield or up front. Her skills and competitiveness will help us win possession of the ball, while helping us be dangerous in the attack. Morgan has an edge to her that doesn't let her give in or be beaten often. We are excited to have another native South Dakotan join our program."
 
This group of six will join 2016 spring additions Julie Teslow and Kellee Willer as the newcomer class in the fall of 2016.