Every
program may not have signed the next Cindy Parlow or Danielle Fotopoulos. But
for some programs, finding a Christie Pearce or Shauna Rohbock could mean all
the difference in the world. It is easy to look at some of the top programs and
immediately label most of their recruits as top-notch and among the best coming
out of high school or junior colleges simply because they've signed with the best
programs. However, many of the nation's best girls soccer players are finding
homes at schools not always on the front page of the Sports Section or listed
on biographies of National Team Players.
For this final piece in our Recruiting Series, we highlight teams worthy of mention
due to the impact their class may have among schools with similar soccer history.
Before we jump into some of these not-so-front-page teams, we thought it appropriate
to review the teams not yet mentioned that were ranked in the Final Top 25 for
1998. As you will see, all of these programs ended up with great recruiting classes
but perhaps slightly less talented than the rest of the Top 25 already mentioned.
We then take a look at other teams that made news in 1998 or could be on the verge
of breakthroughs in 1999. And the final two groups come from our popular attention
to First Year Programs. We look at the teams beginning Year Two (after starting
programs in 1998) and also at programs beginning Division 1 soccer in 1999. Again,
these are highlights from teams that have made an impression with the list of
recruits that they have provided to Soccer Buzz. Check out all
the 1999 recruits using our comprehensive database in Rookie
Attack.
TEAMS
FROM 1998 TOP 25
SAN DIEGO
STATE 1998's West
Region Coach of the Year, Chuck Clegg, has stayed on the West Coast to
find some reinforcements for his Top 25 team from 1998. All six incoming freshmen
appear to be quality soccer players and ready to make an impact on a team that
spent most of 1998 in the Top 10. Of three California recruits, Michelle Wagner
and Serena Pearson should be players to watch for. Pearson comes from the
Regional ODP team. The third Golden State recruit is Lindsi Parnell, a
member of the highly successful Southern Cal Blues soccer club. Another Regional
ODP player joining the Aztecs is Boo Robinson of Utah. Defender Hannah Garl
(WA) comes to SDSU after a super stint with the FC Royals, National Champion Finalists
in 1997. Colorado all-state forward Sara Stephens could be Coach Clegg's
new frontrunner with returning superstar Lori LaCoursiere. The Aztecs will
be losing several starters, mostly on defense, so this new group of players will
have lots of opportunity to contribute right away.
CLEMSON The new players
signed down at Clemson will keep the Tigers firmly planted in the national Top
25. Head Co-Coaches Tracey Leone and Ray Leone scored big with forwards
Deliah Arrington (SC), Audria Lyons (TX) and Heather Beem
(WA). Lyons and Arrington are two likely players who could earn playing time right
away. Versatile defender/striker Cindy Mullinix (NC) comes out of the celebrated
Greensboro Twisters club program while Mary Ward Younger (M, NC) gives
the Leone's a second NC recruit. Midfielder Erica LaShomb (TN) rounds out
the Tigers' class. This new group of Tigers may lack a national name talent, but
should fit in nicely with the current roster at Clemson.
BAYLOR The departure
of Head Coach Randy Waldrum to Notre Dame may have dampened the prospects
at Baylor. The Bears return almost every roster player and the two new signees
are significant enough to improve the chances for Baylor to make national waves
in '99. Tamura Crawley (M, TX) could work her way into the starting lineup
almost immediately. Crawley has plenty of wing skill after playing with the Texas
Image and the Regional ODP team. The second recruit is Candice Kocian (F,
TX) of the Demolition Soccer Club. Both recruits compliment the already Texas-filled
Baylor roster and should give new Coach Nick Cowell plenty of options to
keep the Bears atop the Big 12 in 1999.
OTHER NOTABLE TEAMS
GEORGIA The Bulldogs
have huge holes to fill and mostly recruited in-state to fill the gaps. Three
recruits from the Tophat Soccer Club should strengthen the midfield for Coach
Bill Barker. Nicole Greathead (M, GA), Christy Peavy (M,
GA) and Catherine Holder (M, GA) will all bring their games to Athens.
A fourth state of Georgia recruit is forward Bethany Culver of the Stone
Mountain Spirit. The one player who will be looked to immediately is Carolyn
Cayard (D, TZX) out of the Houston Challenge and the Region 3 ODP team. The
final new players both come from NY and the Counties United club program: Christine
Bowers (Gj) and Shannon Murray (M). Although a talented group, this
class will be interesting to watch to see if it maintains the recent rise of Georgia
soccer.
"I think this class addresses our needs in terms of people we needed to
replace," Barker said. "We're really happy with these kids coming in, and we know
they will be great players here."
ARIZONA STATE The Sun Devils
could easily qualify as our team to watch in 1999. In 1998, the recruiting class
at ASU ranked #22 in the nation and the new additions this year should give Coach
Terri Patraw plenty of firepower for a run at both an NCAA berth and a
possible position in the national rankings. This group of newcomers is not short
on experience as two transfers will provide college experience for the Sun Devils.
Junior College All-American Heather Irwin (M, AZ) could be the first to
break the starting lineup while Nicole Terry (M/D, CA) will provide experience
and depth. The top freshman talent is Linsey Mack (D, MI) who has played
on her Regional ODP team. All-state performers, Elisa Lorenz (M, AZ) and
Holly Cohen (F, TX) will give Coach Patraw some field options on a team
that should now be a force in the strong PAC-10.
VIRGINIA
TECH Another team
that will be blessed with junior college talent is Virginia Tech.. The Hokies
have two JC All-Americans including the Junior College Player of the Year, Joy
Nsubuga (NC, Brevard JC). Nsubuga is joined by all-star Wendy Kotwas
(NY, Monroe CC). Coach Sam Okpodu recruited well in the Mid-Atlantic Region
to nab Courtney Graybill (D, PA), Allison Hayes (PA) and Laura
Godsey (M, DE). Three Virginia prepsters also inked with Virginia Tech: Meredith
Cassell (D), Catherine Fulkerson (G) and Krista Dooley. The
last of the new Hokies is Trinidad defender Priya Vale.
UNC CHARLOTTE The 49'ers needed
a bus load of new talent as several seniors departed a team that made history
in 1998 with an appearance and a win in the NCAA Tournament. Coach Robbie Church
focused on defense and brought in several backs from around the country. The two
big names for Charlotte are Laura Lockwood (D, TX) and Shannon Roberto
(D, OH). Both have been a part of their regional ODP pool as has Jennie Leeder
(F/M, TX). Leeder comes from the Houston Challenge. Defender Mikel Casey
is an all-stater from North Carolina and is joined by fellow in-staters Abbie
Alison (M/D) and Jordan Outlaw (D). Emily Giuliano (D) is another
Ohioan joining the 49'ers program along with Jennifer Cosatrino (D, FL)
and Jennifer Howell (G, GA). This large class will have huge holes to fill
but should be a solid building block for Coach Church to return his program to
the national elite.
DAYTON One name puts
Dayton on the recruiting map: Missy Gregg. A High School All-American and
Ohio Player of the Year, Gregg is a premiere striker recruited by several top
programs, including UNC and Notre Dame. Two of Gregg's Archbishop Alter HS teammates
will follow her to Dayton. Midfielders Lindsey Whitehead and Liz Brown
both could find themselves continuing to feed balls to Gregg for the next fours
years. Aside from Gregg, the top catch for Coach Mike Tucker could be goalie
Stephanie Weisenfeld (IL), a regional pool player. Two more Ohio prepsters
stay in-state and join the Flyers program in Shannon Kuhl ((M) and Lindsay
Niedenthal (D). This class may be the one that finally pushes the Flyers above
their Atlantic 10 competition.
"This is the best class that has been brought in
by far," said Tucker. "Everyone one of these players is a starting caliber athlete."
NEW PROGRAMS STARTING
IN 1999
BALL STATE If recruiting
is an indication, Coach Ron Rainey may be the hardest working of the field
generals for schools beginning soccer in 1999. Rainey has signed a large class
of players that should help the new Ball State program be competitive in the ever-improving
MAC. Rainey may have studied the success of other first year programs when he
looked for immediate help in the middle and backfield. Strong defense has been
the main ingredient for a brand new program's survival in Year One. Ball State
will rely on Whitney Brown (D, IN), Sara Zeiger (D, IN), Brandy
Doaks ( G, IN) and KD Moreland (G, OH). Brown earned all-state honors
in Indiana. The midfield will be manned by the following newcomers: Elisa Angeles
(IN), Emily Feeney (MI), Shannon Pascoe (MI), Eileen Weinheimer
(WI), Lisa Tomasso (MI) and Ehren Reagor (KY). Pascoe's credentials
stand out as she was twice named all-state and led her Bishop Foley team to back-to-back
Michigan state titles.
"Although we got a late start in the recruiting season,
we were lucky enough to get some solid players who will form the foundation for
the Ball State team in upcoming years," said Rainey. "We have some players from
some of the top clubs in the midwest and that will give our team a little experience
going into our initial year.
WESTERN CAROLINA The Catamounts
may have found talent from several states but all the recruits are more or less
local to the WCU campus. The Stone Mountain Spirit Soccer Club provided two recruits
in Alllison Rounds (G, GA) and Lauren Howard (M, GA). Three other
signees all come from the state of South Carolina. All three are familiar with
each other as they either played on the same high school team or the same club
team. This trio includes Nardia Moore (M), Kyla Deon (F/M/D) and
Kelly Barker (M). Coach Debbie Hensley didn't let the talent in
North Carolina escape either as four newcomers hail from the Tar Heel state. Offense
for the Catamounts' new program may come from strikers Morgan Foresman
and Yasmin Morton. The final two NC signees are Sara Rice (D) and
Stacey Mardis (M). Coach Hensley also picked ten talented students from
the current student body to complete the first roster for Catamounts soccer. Eight
of these come from the state of NC and two are former Florida State students.
"I am thrilled to have signed these three players," Hensley said. "I am expecting
each of them to make an immediate impact on the program. I'm delighted that they
have decided to become Catamounts!"
ELON Another inaugural
program based in North Carolina is Elon. The Fighting Christians will be moving
up to Division 1 in 1999. Four newcomers should help the Christians complete for
the Big South title after a solid campaign in 1998. Coach Paul Webster
strolled the Atlantic Coast to find incoming freshmen Mary Katherine Davis
(M/D, NC), Jessica Mills (M, GA), Beth O'Connor (G, VA) and Jane
Williams (M, MD). Mills comes from the competitive Stone Mountain Spirit club
program while Davis comes from the nationally ranked Greensboro Day School.
NEW PROGRAMS FROM
1998
CENTRAL MICHIGAN Already, the
First Year Programs from 1998 are making headways with their recruiting classes.
Aside from Miami of Florida's nationally ranked class, Central Michigan may have
the best group of newcomers among last year's new programs. Coach Mark Salisbury
made tremendous strides with the addition of several players who should help propel
the Chippewas to the top of the MAC within the next couple of years. Sure to make
a big impact in the MAC is midfielder Christine Andersen. A native of Denmark,
Andersen has spent time on the Denmark U-21 team.
"I am extremely happy with this
class," Salisbury said. "We addressed many of our needs, including size, speed
and athleticism. This year's class needed to be solid after last seasons' late
recruiting start. We have a lot of goal scoring potential with this group."
HOUSTON Last year's
#1 First Year Program should continue its rise within women's soccer. Coach Chris
Huston signed a powerful class in 1998 and although this year's group may
not appear as strong on paper, the experience they will bring to the Cougars'
program should give this team some much needed depth. All the new signees are
Texas products and come from great club programs. Lindsay Beiriger (F,
Texas Spirit) and Ashley Johnson (M, Dallas Sting) might be two players
to watch. The Houston Challenge send two of their players to the University of
Houston. Both Ashley Fortenberry and Roxana Tamijani should give
Coach Huston some options along with Rebecca Smith (F/M, Texas Spirit).
This new group of players at Houston likely ranks behind UNC Charlotte as the
second best in Conference USA.
"All the kids we signed will be competing for a
starting position which will have a positive influence on our team," commented
Huston. "Having players coming in vying for starting positions will definitely
increase intensity at practice which will help take us to the next level."
IDAHO Of the 18 new
programs playing Division 1 soccer for the first time in 1998, we were pleasantly
surprised by the group of signees at the University of Idaho. Coach Larry Foster
traveled into the state of Washington to bring back athletes for Idaho. Andrea
Schumacher (WA) is a versatile forward/defender with several years of state
ODP experience. Two other players from her state team include Bradee Fitzpatrick
(F/M, WA) and Jenell Miller (G, WA) while midfielder Jennifer Higgins
also hails from Washington state. One player who should work her way into the
starting lineup immediately is Jenny Kiebel (F/M, IA) who has played on
her regional ODP team. The Vandals' final new recruit is Darcy Harris (M/D,
CA). This second ever group of Vandals should start the Idaho program moving near
the top group of teams in the Big West.
"Probably the largest frustration last
year is we couldn't finish the close games and ended up losing," Foster said.
"This year the key element in recruiting was to find more aggressive, attacking
players."
And
now that all the talk is over, our Rankings are next ... see our National and
Regional Rankings for 1999 Top Recruiting Classes to be announced on Wednesday,
June 23, 1999.
