Greenville, S.C. – The Furman women's soccer team has added six prep standouts to its 2024 roster, it was announced recently by Paladin head coach Andrew Burr.
 
Dylan Daniels (Kennesaw, Ga.), Reese DeJong (Huntersville, N.C.), Bella Murphy (Tampa, Fla.), Sarah Sexton (Fort Mill, S.C.), Jaleah Simmons (Duncan, S.C.), and Kaitlyn Urbanek (Oxford, Miss.) will join Southern Wesleyan University transfer Vivianna Gutierrez (Statesboro, Ga.) and University of Tennessee transfer Tara Katz (Montgomery, Ala.) as newcomers for the Paladins next season.
 
"We are excited for our 2024 class and we know they will represent Furman well both on and off the field," said Burr. "This class has several players who will compete for a starting spot immediately and we feel they will complement our current roster, which includes several fifth-year players and graduate students."
 
Daniels, a native of Kennesaw, Ga., plays her prep soccer for coach Jon Gross at Harrison High School. The midfielder is a two-time all-county and Region 3-AAAAAAA choice. She totaled eight goals and a team-high 12 assists as a junior last season while helping the Hoyas to a 14-4-1 record, region title, and state AAAAAAA quarterfinals appearance. Daniels, who serves as team captain, earned team MVP honors for the second straight year. She player her club soccer for Concorde Fire Platinum in the Elite Club's National League (ECNL) and has twice led her team in assists.
 
Huntersville, N.C., native Reese DeJong is entering her senior season playing for head coach Eric Grant at Cox Mill High School. A two-time all-region and Greater Metro 4A All-Conference selection, the goalkeeper earned second team High School OT All-State honors and third team Charlotte Observer All-State accolades as a junior in 2023 after stopping 115 shots and registering 11 shutouts for the Chargers. DeJong plays her club soccer in the ECNL for Charlotte Independence SC 05/06 and has served as team captain for two years.
 
Murphy has scored 59 goals in less than four full seasons for Tampa Catholic High School. The striker, who is serving as captain of the Crusaders as a senior, netted 16 goals and added five assists as a junior while leading her team to the regional finals. A four-year starter, she helped the Crusaders to a district title as a freshman and regional semifinals appearance as a sophomore. Murphy plays her club soccer in the ECNL for Florida Premier 05/06.
 
A senior at Catawba Ridge High School, Sexton plays her prep soccer for head coach Joe Dority. She has guided the Copperheads to three consecutive Region 3-AAAA titles and a combined 46-12 overall record over the last three seasons. A two-time All-Region 3 choice, the defensive midfielder has twice earned team MVP honors and served as team captain during her junior season. Sexton has totaled 16 goals and 15 career assists despite being limited by injuries during the 2023 season. A captain for Charlotte Soccer Academy 05/06 ECNL, she led her side to the Mid-Atlantic Conference title in 2022-23. 
 
Rated as a four-star prospect by TopDrawerSoccer.com, Jaleah Simmons is a projected graduate of James F. Byrnes High School where she plays soccer for coach Fernando Gomez. The forward captured player of the year and All-Region 2-AAAAA accolades as a junior in 2023. The three-time offensive MVP for the Rebels also garnered the team's captain's award. Simmons plays her club soccer for CESA and captured Mid-Atlantic Conference Player of the Year honors and U-15 All-American honors in 2021.
 
Urbanek is set to join the Furman program after a standout career for head coach Hunter Crane at Oxford High School in Oxford, Miss. The goalkeeper paced the Chargers to a share of the Region 1-AAAAAAA title and a 9-6 record as a senior. The two-time all-district pick was named district goalkeeper of the year as a sophomore and was named to the Mississippi All-Star Team as a senior. Urbanek plays her club soccer for Alabama FC 06 in the ECNL. 
 
The 2024 Paladins will return nine starters from last season's squad that posted a 7-5-7 overall record and 3-1-5 mark in Southern Conference play. Furman's list of returnees includes standout veterans Addison Corn, Nieva Gaither, Valentina Mosquera, and Miya Poplin.
 
Furman Women's Soccer Soccer Newcomers
Name                           Pos.      Hometown                   High School                  Last Team
Dylan Daniels                MF       Kennesaw, Ga.              Harrison H.S.                 Concorde Fire
Reese DeJong               GK        Huntersville, N.C.          Cox Mill H.S.     Charlotte Independence
Vivianna Gutierrez        MF       Statesboro, Ga.             Statesboro H.S.             Southern Wesleyan
Tara Katz                      MF       Montgomery, Ala.         Montgomery Academy  Tennessee
Bella Murphy                F          Tampa, Fla.                   Tampa Catholic H.S.      Florida Premier
Sarah Sexton                 MF       Fort Mill, S.C.                Catawba Ridge H.S.       Charlotte SA
Jaleah Simmons            F          Duncan, S.C.                 Byrnes H.S.                   CESA
Kaitlyn Urbanek            GK        Oxford, Miss.                Oxford H.S.                   Alabama FC