Index of Sports Press Releases

Oct. 21, 2008

DWU women’s soccer signs Huron duo

Coach Dale Roden

MITCHELL, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan University women’s soccer team is in the midst of its best season in the history of the program, but that doesn’t mean head coach Dale Roden isn’t already thinking about the future.

Roden, in his second season, announced Tuesday that he has received his first two recruiting commitments for the 2009-10 season. A pair of teammates from Huron, S.D. – Courtney Dickson and Abby Hubbard – both signed National Letters of Intent to join the Tiger women’s soccer team as freshmen next season.

Dickson is a senior at Huron High School and Hubbard is a senior at nearby DeSmet, but because DeSmet doesn’t have its own soccer program, Hubbard also plays for Huron. The duo led their team to a 7-3-1 record and a third-place finish at the 2008 State Tournament. Both are South Dakota Class ‘A’ Girls’ Soccer All-State First Team performers, and as the start of Roden’s latest recruiting class, they offer more optimism to a program with an increasingly bright future.

“Both Abby and Courtney are the bulls-eye of our desired student athlete for our young program,” Roden said about his signees. “They both possess a proven history of success on and off the field, not to mention they are both products of South Dakota soccer, which we believe is, and will continue to be, a unique strength of the DWU women’s soccer program.”

The duo’s high school soccer coach, Tracy Thorne, agrees that his players’ college decisions will be beneficial for both the girls and Dakota Wesleyan.

“It’s great that they’re both playing locally, and it will be fun to watch their contributions to the program,” Thorne said. “(Courtney) is mature, focused and tenacious on the field. Abby has charisma. She’s fast and creative and has a nose for the net.”

Hubbard, a 5-4 forward, has been a three-time All-State selection for Huron. She was named to the First Team this season after earning Second Team honors the previous two seasons. She scored 29 goals and added 15 assists over four seasons, despite missing a large part of the 2006 season to an injury. Hubbard is also active in basketball and track and field, and she has earned a total of 11 varsity letters in her high school career.

Hubbard, the daughter of Dan and Kristy Hubbard, is also a member of the National Honor Society and she plans to major in athletic training at DWU.

“Abby is a high school player whom we have been observing for some time now,” Roden said. “She has continued to progress, exhibited an outstanding work ethic and has the drive to have continued success at the next level.

“We believe immensely in Abby’s ability, and more importantly, she believes in the direction our program is heading.”

Dickson, a 5-5 defender, joined Hubbard on the All-State First Team this season after earning All-State Honorable Mention honors as a junior. However, Roden is hesitant to pigeonhole Dickson at one position because he thinks she is versatile enough to fill almost any role for the Tigers.

“Although we are hesitant to confine Courtney to a specific position at this time, we feel she could strengthen our defensive stand or make a possible move into our midfield with some exposure to the college game,” Roden said.

Dickson, the daughter of Kurt and Jann Dickson, is a three-year starter and letter winner in soccer, and a member of the Honor Roll. She plans to major in nursing at DWU.

This season, Roden’s team is enjoying the most successful run in school history. The Tigers (6-6-2, 3-3-2 GPAC) have already doubled the school record for wins in a season, and are one goal away (29) from doubling the previous team benchmark for goals in a season (15).

DWU was picked to finish 12th in the GPAC this season, but currently sits in seventh place. The Tigers have only lost once in their past six games, which includes wins over Hastings College and Doane College. Dakota Wesleyan’s young, up-and-coming team only has one senior and two juniors on its 2008 roster.