While our
list of nationally ranked recruiting classes has virtually been decided,
several programs have easily earned their way into our regional lists.
While the makeup and exact positioning of these schools will be
announced at the end of this series, several programs deserve mention
because of stand out talent they signed, significant improvement in
overall class skill or consistency year-to-year in receiving
recognition.
For this
part in our series, we take a look at each of the six regions recognized
by the NCAA. While the programs highlighted in our first three parts are
obviously the highest ranked in their respective regions, the following
schools have signed classes that will earn them a relative high ranking
in their regions. Several schools yet to be detailed will also play a
part in the final rankings to be released at the end of the series.
(Note:
The 1999 Recruiting Series is a five-part look at the best recruits and
annual college signings in 1999 for women's soccer. The series will
culminate with the official Soccer Buzz Recruiting Rankings
which will include the best classes Nationally as well as Regionally.
The following details are highlights of the signings to date and our
official "ranking" will be made once the entire series is
completed to allow for late player signings). Check
out all the 1999 recruits using our comprehensive database in
Rookie Attack.
Vanderbilt Even
without a full-time Head Coach, the Commodores have pulled in one of the
top classes in the nation. Most impressive about Vandy's class are the
three state players of the year. These three are Katherine Carroll
(M, TN), Kelly Kulsrud (M/D, IN) and Jennifer Talavera
(F, LA). All three have played on their regional ODP teams while Carroll
has also been named an NSCAA high school All-American. The Commodores
also grabbed a couple of players from strong club programs-Lizzy
Johnson (Central Valley Pumas) and Christine Keeley (Houston
Challenge). The final group of players, headlined by Marrissa
O'Leary (M/D, AR), includes versatile striker/goalie Mary Ellen
Schaefer (IL), and defender Lauren DeNire (GA). Vandy's '99
class likely is second to Florida's in the SEC and one of the tops in
the Central Region.
Kansas With
not much of a reputation as a soccer power, Kansas will raise some brows
with the new players going to Lawrence for new Head Coach Mark
Francis. While defender Brianna Valento (MN) has regional
ODP team experience and appears to be the best American talent, three
foreigners put this class on the map. A name most college coaches will
recognize is Hilla Rantala, a star striker following her former
college coach and transferring in from South Alabama. Rantala will be
joined by countrywoman Mervi Kuittinen of Finland. Kuittinen
plays for the Finland U-20 team as a midfielder and should start right
away for the Jayhawks. Another youth national team midfielder joins the
Jayhawks as Lindsay Hunting of Canada inked with Kansas.
All-staters Nikkie Wahle (KS) and Bridget Goyen (TX)
round out Kansas' latest newcomers which should be enough to help the
Jayhawks challenge for a top tier finish in the Big 12 for the first
time.
Iowa
State The
Cyclones have a surprisingly solid class of soccer talent joining its
program. Despite the host of programs in the Central Region known for
their reputable soccer teams, Iowa State ends up with one of the best
recruiting classes in the region. Most likely to make an impact right
away for Coach Cathy Klein is defender Angie Portincaso
(CO). She has been a member of the regional ODP team and is the first of
three regional players joining the Cyclones. The other two are defender
Lindsey Lees (CO) and midfielder Katie Antongiovanni
(CA). Local product Tiffany Belz (M/D, IA) adds to this
impressive group along with Megan Di Giacomo (F/M, NY) and Annie
Henley (F/M, KS). Iowa State's class ranks ahead of regional powers
Baylor, Alabama, New Mexico, Texas and SMU among others.
Butler Butler
is one of the few schools to break the run of Big 10 and Notre Dame
signing power for women's soccer. The class brought in by former Coach
George Van Linder (who resigned to take the SMU position) is
impressive enough to earn a regional ranking. Two big names here should
make immediate impacts at Butler-Kara Bryan (F, IN) and Marth
Gudiel (F, CA). Both have been part of regional ODP teams while
Bryan was the Indiana Player of the Year. Several all-staters join the
Butler program, including Erin Riley (D, IN), Tricia
Czerniak (G, MN) and Kristina Drogell (M, OH). Amy
Morrison, a forward from the Texas Longhorns Soccer Club could be a
pleasant surprise and Hadiatu Dumbuya (D, OH) will add some
depth for the Bulldogs.
Minnesota Making
the most of her small recruiting class, Coach Sue Montagne
signed five impressive high school seniors who could all contribute
immediately for the Gophers. Two standouts from the Colorado Rush soccer
club head to Minnesota after also playing together on the regional ODP
team. Liz Wagner (F/M, CO) and Meghan Jones (D, CO) will
be joined by a third regional ODP player, Jordan Bieler (M, WA).
The final signee is Minnesota all-stater Katherine Arndt (D). This class should continue the
Gophers recent streak of NCAA Tournament appearances.
Iowa Here's
another Big 10 program that made a big splash with recruiting in '99.
The Hawkeyes will begin their third season with a group of newcomers
that will be ranked among the region's best. Coach Stephanie Gabbert
earned a #1 ranking in the nation two years ago among First Year
Programs and this group of rookies will go a long way to getting Iowa
closer to the top of the Big 10. Several players could contribute
immediately but sure to get a first look is Julie Atkocaitis (D,
IL) who has been a member of the regional ODP team. Two of Atkocaitis'
high school teammates will follow her to Iowa: Joni Anderson (M)
and Sarah Lynch (F). The other top recruits for Iowa all have
been pool players for their regional ODP teams: Teesa Price (F,
IA), Courtney Wilkerson (F/M, IA) and Elizabeth Hendel
(G, MO). The final signee could be one of the firsts to work her way
into the lineup as Jamie Jorgensen (F/M, TX) brings good club
experience to Iowa as she was part of the Texas Image program.
James
Madison Coach
Dave Lombardo just missed out on earning a Top 25 ranking for
his recruiting class, but did ink enough talent to rank among the best
in the region. The Mid-Atlantic teams loaded up on talent this year so
JMU's place here is more impressive than its ranking. The Dukes got two
NSCAA All-Americans, including the state Player of the Year from
Maryland, Marisa Schuchat. The other A-A is striker Marisa
Lemme from Connecticut. Several midfielders and forwards were signed
including Kelly Wildeman (PA), Casey Papa (FL), Meredith
McClure (VA) and Colleen McIlwrath (VA). Goalkeeper Gretchen
Ross of Pennsylvania is the final signee in this latest JMU class.
Lafayette Yes,
this reads "Lafayette". Of all the schools that are featured
in our Recruiting Series or end up with a national or regional ranking,
Lafayette is easily the greatest surprise. 13 new recruits will join the
Leopards' program. While many will simply fill roster positions, enough
stand out as solid players to help this class earn a regional ranking
for recruiting. The big catch here is Bryn Carlson, an NSCAA
All-American and state Player of the Year from Maine. Striker Katie
Schrack of Pennsylvania should also step right in for the Leopards
as she was a Regional All-American at Lock Haven HS. Of this large
class, other potential standouts for Coach Wayne Miller are
keeper Ashley Wesmiller (PA), striker Emily Myers (PA),
midfielder Nancy Dwyer (NJ) and all-state defender Cheryl
Christianson (NJ).
Columbia The
Lions continue a '99 trend of great signees among the Ivy League
schools. Three players are standouts in this 7 player class. A sure bet
to contribute right away is All-American forward Stephanie Smith,
also the NJ Player of the Year. Possibly joining Smith on the front line
could be Mimi Osei-Agyemani. Hailing from Ghana, Osei-Agyemani
is captain of her country's national team. Another solid newcomer to
Columbia is Alison Lee (M, PA) who has been a regional pool
player. The remainder of the class consists of Meredith Corkery
(F/M, MA), Lindsay Holmes (D, NJ), Nadine Apelian (D,
CA) and Julie Beagle (D, CA). Coach McCarthy has done well to
try to keep pace with the strong soccer programs in the Ivy and this
regionally ranked recruiting class is a sure step forward.
SUNY
Stony Brook Coach
Sue Ryan has done it again. After creating campus excitement
with a class of recruits that earned a regional ranking in '98, the
Seawolves have made our list a second year in a row. NSCAA All-American
Beth Arikian (M, NY) is tops among new players at Stony Brook.
Coach Kelly recruited far and wide as she also brought in all-staters
Kristen Baker (D, WA) and Lori Nelson (G, AZ). Along
with Florida forward Jenny Fontanetta, the Seawolves also got
nearby talent Stephanie Smyrl (PA) and Sarah Hanover
(NY).
Florida
State It
took new Head Coach Patrick Baker no time at all to make an
impression way down in Florida. He already has the Florida State program
headed in the right direction and ready to work its way up the ACC
ladder. A huge class of signees includes several transfers who should
add much needed depth and experience for the Seminoles. Sarah
Crawford (G, Georgia State) could step into the starting lineup
right away while Gina Iacovella (M, South Carolina) and Kristin
Aaserudseter (F, VCU) will get plenty of playing time. The top
recruit should be forward Cindy Schofield. Schofield set the
all-time scoring record for the state of Florida, breaking the mark set
previously by Robin Confer (UNC) and then by Andi Sellers
(U of Florida). Two players with regional ODP experience are Courtney
Asbra (D, TX) and Meredith Jones. Top club talent comes to
Tallahassee with the signing of Kerry Robinson (NC, Greensboro
Twisters), Katie Talley (GA, Tophat) and Ashlee Fontes
(MI, Michigan Hawks). Rounding out FSU's large class are Jessica
Poppell (D, TN) and three Florida natives: Jennifer Garcia,
Amanda Green and Janey Halberg.
Wake
Forest Katie
Johnson (M, VA), NSCAA All-American and Virginia Player of the Year,
leads the charge of new Demon Deacons. Lindsey Griffin (CO) and
Gabi Lieb (NC) are two all-staters that should add to Wake's
depth. Coach Tony da Luz also inked Joline Charlton (F,
GA), a regional ODP player and added her Stone Mountain Spirit teammate,
Melissa Murray-Hobbs (M/D, GA) and Griffin's Colorado Rush
teammate, Liz McDowell (D, CO). Two local North Carolina
midfielders will join the Deacons' program in Tracy Chao and
Amy DeLorenze along with final recruit, Leslie Goelz (G,
NY). This class has all the signs of keeping the Deacons atop the ACC
and well seated in the national Top 25.
NC
State Another
large ACC recruiting class was signed when NC State made serious steps
towards turning its program around with ten new players. Coach Laura
Kerrigan should be thrilled with NSCAA All-American Kelly Jordan
(F, MD), Rachel Durr (M, TX) and Laura Scott (F, NC).
Jordan was also the Maryland Player of the Year while both Durr and
Scott have been part of the Region 3 ODP player pool. Kerrigan dipped
into several soccer hotbeds throughout the US to raise the talent level
of her Wolfpack squad. From Virginia, she found Gretchen Lear
(G), Lindsey Rosen (M) and Lauren Bendahan (D). From
Texas, she found Jenny Pearce (D) and Amy Bary (M),
teammate of Rachel Durr on the Houston Challenge. The final
roster positions are taken up by Colette Seville (M, NJ) and
Erin Bushey (D, PA) who, along with this entire new group,
should help restore the Wolfpack to its glory days of women's soccer.
Pacific The
Tigers earned a place on the women's soccer map last year when they made
it to the NCAA Tournament and proceeded to the 2nd round before losing
to national power Santa Clara. Coach Keith Coleman has done his
job in the off-season and brought in plenty of new blood to keep his
streak alive. All six new incoming freshmen bring regional ODP team
experience, led by goalie Megan Pickering (OR) and midfielder
Christine Bill (CA). Coleman stayed in Oregon and California to
ink his entire class, which also includes Kendra Aston (M, CA),
Cortney Springmier (D, CA), Rebecca Moffitt (M, OR) and
Lucera Gallagos (M, CA). This class will have plenty of
opportunity to contribute immediately as the Tigers lose several star
players and must find some offense from among this bunch to remain a
factor in the national scene.
Santa
Clara Coach
Jerry Smith had the #1 ranked recruiting class in 1998 and has
few holes to fill from his '98 roster. One player who should get a lot
of notice right away is forward Devvyn Hawkins. Hawkins is a
member of the US U-18 national team as well as a Parade All-American.
The only other signee for the Broncos is McKenzie Zajonc (M,
OR). Hawkins and Zajonc alone cannot put the Santa Clara class back atop
the recruiting rankings, but their talent makes this small class one of
the best in the West Region.
BYU If
soccer fans aren't convinced that youth talent exists in the state of
Utah, they need only look at the roster and success of the BYU program.
Coach Jennifer Rockwood has finally earned respect for her
program after back-to-back Top 25 seasons and NCAA Tournament
appearances. She has combed the state of Utah again to bring in plenty
of talent to keep the Cougars back in the national title hunt. Farrah
Hofheins (D, UT) could be the gem among this group as she has
previously been a part of the youth national player pool. Hofheins' is
joined by two of her regional ODP teammates: Jeni Willardson (F,
UT) and Kelly Hunsberger (M, UT). All three of these players
earned all-state honors in Utah and will joined by two other all-staters
from the Cougars' home state: Aydre Soffe (F) and Rachelle
Dixon. BYU also grabbed two keepers from out-of-state with the
signings of Jenny Campbell (ID) and Kylee Dickson.
Find out the remainder of the Top 1999 Recruiting Classes in our next article highlighting interesting facts, players and up-and coming programs... check it out on Wednesday, June 16 in Part 5 of Soccer Buzz' 1999 Recruiting
Series.
