AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn soccer and head coach Karen Hoppa have announced the program's 2022 signing class, which includes six student-athletes who are set to join the Tigers next fall.
"We are thrilled to announce our 2022 class," Hoppa said. "This is a very talented class that will make us better at every position."
The class includes three defenders, two forwards and one goalkeeper. Two signees hail from Georgia and Texas and one apiece are natives of Virginia and New Jersey.
"We cannot wait for them to get to the Plains and join our successful group of returning players," Hoppa added. "The 2022 season cannot get here soon enough."
The players who will join the Tigers in 2022 are listed below.
| Player | Pos. | Hometown | Club Team | High School |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hayden Colson | D | Denton, Texas | FC Dallas | John H. Guyer |
| Dylan Driver | F | Macon, Ga. | Concord Fire Platinum | CStratford Academy |
| Olivia Fout | F | Virginia Beach, Va. | Richmond United | Cape Henry Collegiate |
| Erin Houston | D | Kennesaw, Ga. | Tophat SC | Harrison |
| Taylor Richards | GK | Plano, Texas | FC Dallas | Plano Senior |
| Helene Tyburczy | D | Ramsey, N.J. | Cedar Stars Academy | Ramsey |
Hayden Colson will make her way to Auburn from Denton, Texas, and is one of two signees to compete for FC Dallas.
A leader on the back line.
— Auburn Soccer (@AuburnSoccer) December 5, 2021
Welcome to the family, @haydencolsonn!#WarEagle | #NSD22 pic.twitter.com/5lXvSP61Pe
A center back who can also play holding midfielder, Colson is regarded by Top Drawer Soccer as a four-star recruit and is the 117th rated player in the 2022 Girls IMG Academy Top 150. She is also considered the 13th rated player in Texas.
Earlier this year, Colson was invited to the U.S. U18 Women's National Team Virtual Camp and earned ECNL First Team All-Conference accolades. Also a standout at John H. Guyer High School, she was previously named the 5-6A Defensive Newcomer of the Year and First Team All-Area. Colson also runs track and was a 4x100 state qualifier and 2021 Austin TGCA All-State honoree.
Dylan Driver comes to the Plains from Macon, Georgia, and is a product of Concord Fire 04 ECNL Platinum.
Adding to our offensive attack.
— Auburn Soccer (@AuburnSoccer) December 1, 2021
Welcome to the family, @DylanDriver13!#WarEagle | #NSD22 pic.twitter.com/YnBHs8FQw4
A dangerous goal scorer, Driver was recently named to the 2021 U.S. Youth Soccer Southern Regional Best XI Team after leading Concord Fire to the regional championship and pacing the league in points, goals and assists. She was previously named to the 2020-21 U.S U17 Piedmont Conference Best XI and is a 2020 Georgia State Cup Champion.
At the high school level, Driver holds Stratford Academy's school record for goals (eight) and points (17) in a game and had tallied 83 goals and 54 assists in her career. She was named 2021 GHSA Super 11 Second Team and a finalist for the GHSA Player of the Year. She also competes in track & field as well as equestrian.
Olivia Fout is a native of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and competes at the club level for Richmond United.
Bringing a physical forward aboard.
— Auburn Soccer (@AuburnSoccer) December 3, 2021
Welcome to the family, @oliviafout!#WarEagle | #NSD22 pic.twitter.com/94rDHCv2tn
A strong and physical wide forward, Fout excels for both Richmond United and Cape Henry Collegiate, where she was named First Team All-State, the Tidewater Conference Tournament MVP and the 2020-21 Cape Henry Team MVP. Fout was also an all-state performer following her freshman season at Floyd E. Kellam High School.
Erin Houston is set to join the Auburn Family from Kennesaw, Georgia, where she competes for Tophat SC.
Adding depth and defensive versatility.
— Auburn Soccer (@AuburnSoccer) December 6, 2021
Welcome to the family, @ErinHouston32!#WarEagle | #NSD22 pic.twitter.com/nkecqrR2wd
A versatile defender who can play anywhere on the back line, Houston has been recognized on the Girls Academy Southeast Top 30 Players list and was a Girls Academy League team representative from 2020-21.
Following a breakout performance at Harrison High School in 2021, Houston was named the Cobb County Player of the Year and Region 3-7A Player of the Year.
Taylor Richards, who is the younger sister of Auburn's junior forward Sydney Richards, comes to Auburn from Plano, Texas, and joins Colson as a product of FC Dallas.
Adding a familiar name on the Plains.
— Auburn Soccer (@AuburnSoccer) December 4, 2021
Welcome to the family, @taygk00!#WarEagle | #NSD22 pic.twitter.com/F1TsNr3T0a
An athletic goalkeeper, Richards has earned the Southern Region Golden Glove Award and has helped lead FC Dallas to both the Southern Regional Championship as well as a National Championship semifinal appearance. Also a standout at Plano Senior High School, she earned First Team All-District 9-6A honors and has been named Plano Senior's MVP on a pair of occasions.
Rounding out the 2022 signing class, Helene Tyburczy will make her way to campus from Ramsey, New Jersey, where she competes for Cedar Stars Academy.
Bolstering our back line.
— Auburn Soccer (@AuburnSoccer) December 2, 2021
Welcome to the family, Helene!#WarEagle | #NSD22 pic.twitter.com/fztsoBSX1k
A true center back, Tyburczy is a three-time U.S. Youth Soccer ODP National Training Camp participant and five-time ODP East Region Team selection. She has also been named a U.S. Youth Soccer ODP Interregional Tournament All-Star and Youth Girls All-East Region selection by United Soccer Coaches.
At the high school level, Tyburczy is a 2020 All-East Region, two-time All-State and three-time All-Conference performer as well as the 2020 North Jersey Player of the Year. She has helped lead Ramsey High School to three league and state sectional championships as well as a state finals appearance.