Women’s Soccer Announces Four Signings
Three Garden State Natives Highlight Class
February 23, 2005

PISCATAWAY, NJ – Four high school standouts have signed national letters of intent to join the Rutgers women’s soccer team for the 2005 season, head coach Glenn Crooks has announced.
The group consists of Jessica Bendzlowicz (Holland, PA), Kristen Edmonds (Metuchen, NJ) Alicia Hall (Port Republic, NJ) and Nina Montero (Vineland, NJ).
“This is a great class that provides quality depth in all areas of the field,” said Crooks. “All the players come from great families who understand the commitment and sacrifice it takes to be successful at the highest level. This is a class that will help us take another step forward as a program. I am also grateful to our current players and our coaching staff, who showed our recruits how special it is to be associated with Rutgers University.”
Bendzlowicz, a 5-8 midfielder/defender, competed at Council Rock South High School. As a junior, Bendzlowicz collected 21 points (6 g, 9 a) and helped lead her team to a 24-0-2 record, a state title and a national ranking of third. She was named to the Bucks County Courier Times Golden Teams First Team and the All-League First Team. In 2003, she had 26 points (9 g, 8 a) and was named to the All-League Second Team as Council Rock South posted an 18-1 record. As a sophomore, she helped lead her team to a 21-1-2 mark and the PIAA state co-championship. Bendzlowicz played for the Pennsylvania Strikers, a top-10 club team nationally. The Strikers won two state indoor titles (2000, 2003), were the Region 1 finalists in 2004 and 2003 and semifinalists in 2001 and 2002 and the WAGS Cup championship in 2000. The Strikers also won six Eastern Pennsylvania state crowns (1999-2003). Bendzlowicz played for the 2004 Olympic Development Program’s (ODP) Region 1 Team in 2004, and was in the regional pool in 2002 and 2003. She played for the same high school and club teams as current Scarlet Knight Amanda Allessio (Langhorne, PA).
“Jessica has a great background in the game and has been effective at the highest level in the back and midfield,” stated Crooks. “I love the way she goes forward, and she can help keep an opponent honest with her ability to score outside of the box. Jess is probably the most versatile player in our class. She plays with an outstanding club team and will be well prepared for her freshman year in college.” > Menu of Articles  

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - North Carolina head women's soccer coach Anson Dorrance has announced the addition of eight talented recruits who have decided to join the Tar Heel program for the 2005 season. Two of the eight are already enrolled at the University and the other six plan to enroll in August 2005. All will have freshman eligibility when the Tar Heels begin the 2005 campaign in a tournament in Topeka, Kan. the last weekend of August with games against the University of Colorado and the University of Tennessee.

The incoming class includes midfielder Yael Averbuch of Upper Montclair, N.J., midfielder/forward Meaghan Cole of Jacksonville, N.C., forward/midfielder Casey Dunlevie of Atlanta, Ga., midfielder Betsy Frederick of Raleigh, N.C., goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris of Satellite Beach, Fla., forward/midfielder Mandy Moraca of Mantua, N.J., goalkeeper Anna Rodenbough of Greensboro, N.C., and forward Sterling Smith of Chapel Hill, N.C.

Both Harris and Cole are already enrolled at the University as freshmen and they are competing with the UNC in spring practice in 2005.

Averbuch is a member of the U.S. Under-19 National Team as well as the Region I Olympic Development Program Team and the New Jersey State Team. The daughtrer of Gloria Averbuch and Paul Friedman, Yael attends Montclair High School and she plays her club soccer for World Class New Jersey. She was born November 3, 1986, stands 5-8 and weighs 130 pounds.

Cole is an alumna of White Oak High School. A 5-6 combination midfielder and forward, Cole earned high school letters in soccer, cross country, track and swimming. As a junior at White Oak, she played on a state 3A championship soccer team. Cole earned status as a Morehead Scholarship nominee before enrolling at UNC.

Dunlevie will enroll at UNC after being a starter on the soccer team for four years at Westminster High School. A combination forward and midfielder, Dunlevie led her high school team to state championships in 2002, 2003 and 2004.

Frederick is one of the top high school midfielders in the Tar Heel State. The daughter of Ron and Prudy Frederick, she attends Broughton High School where she was recently named the team captain for her senior year. A 5-9, 142-pound midfield presence, Frederick plays for the CASL Spartan Elite club team. She has been named to the Region III ODP Team and the NC State ODP Team.

Harris enrolled at Carolina in January 2005 as one of the most vaunted recruits in the nation and one of the most anticipated in Tar Heel history. A graduate of Satellite High School, Harris is a world class goalkeeper who in high school was honored as a Parade All-America. She was the starting goalkeeper for the U.S. Under-19 National Team in its World Championship Tournaments in both 2002 and 2004. The 2002 won the gold medal in the event and also featured her current Tar Heel teammates Lindsay Tarpley, Lori Chalupny and Heather O'Reilly.

Moraca is another UNC addition who should figure in Carolina's plans right away in 2005. The daughter of Mark and Donna Moraca, she was born on July 31, 1987 and will soon be an alumna of Gloucester Catholic High School. The 5-4, 125-pound combination forward/midfielder competes for the Pennsylvania Strikers club team. Moraca is a member of the U.S. Under-17 National Team as well as the Region I ODP Team and the New Jersey State ODP Team. She has also been honored with adidas All-America status.

Anna Rodenbough is the second goalkeeper in the recruiting class for Coach Anson Dorrance. The daughter of Boand Melanie Rodenbough was born September 8, 1987 and she has good height at 5-10,170. An upcoming graduate of Grimsley High School, Rodenough plays for the Winston-Salem Lady Twins White club team. She is a member of the Region III ODP pool squad and the NC State ODP Team. Rodenbough is also a finalist for a Morehead Scholarship.

A native of Chapel Hill, Smith was born August 8, 1986 and is the daughter of Roland and Vicki Smith. At 5-7, 135 pounds, Smith has the potential to be a dynamic presence at forward. A member of the Region III ODP Team, Smith plays her club soccer for `86 CASL Spartan Elite. She attends East Chapel Hill High School.

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U.S. U17 Women's National Team takes 2-0 win over Germany at Home Depot Center
By Andrea Canales, 02.27.2005

CARSON, CA - Despite having only trained together for three days of camp, the U.S. U17 Women's National Team rode first half goals from Kelly O’Hara and Alexondrea Trusty to produce a hard-fought 2-0 victory over their counterparts from Germany on Sunday evening at Home Depot Center.

U.S. Coach Erica Walsh found the athletic German team a good test for the U.S.

‘I thought it was a good, solid, performance," Walsh said. "Obviously, we’re pleased with the result and we walked away from the match with some things to work on in the next couple of days of our training camp.”

Although the U.S. team began with the majority of the possession, the Germans were able to press the midfield with the passing and positioning skill of their players.

Both teams took the field in 4-4-2 formation, though the U.S. stuck to the more traditional version. The Germans modified theirs to have the front players positioned more in the middle of the field, with one stacked above the other.

The U.S. defense employed a game tactic to impeded the Germans' attempts to attack from the center.

“We wanted to force the ball to the outside and to coordinate our defending," Walsh said. "One of our big goals was more communication. I thought Lauren Switzer and Alexondrea Trusty did a very good job.”

Both teams got a couple of early opportunities when forwards dribbled near the goal, but quality chances were not being granted by either defense.

O'Hara and McDonald combine for opener

In the 12th minute of play, however, the midfield battle broke open when Jessica McDonald gathered a pass on the right and raced down the sideline. Kelly O’Hara was lurking near the goal, and when McDonald sprung a quick move to get past her defender, O’Hara latched onto the McDonald cross to direct it into the goal, giving the U.S. a 1-0 lead.

O’Hara gave full credit to her strike partner. “She played a perfect ball in and I was able to hit it in backpost.”

Walsh noted that, in contrast to the Germans, the U.S. attack was geared to come in from both sides.

“Offensively, we were looking get service through our flank players to Kelly O’Hara and Jessica McDonald," Walsh said. "I thought we did a nice job of finding them and getting some opportunities to score off of the flank service."

After the goal, the German team stepped up their attack. Though the U.S. players were faster, the German strengths were solid positioning and efficient passing.

Lauren Wilmouth, though smaller than some of the forwards she faced, did well on defense to disposess the German attackers on several occasions and to reset the U.S. charge upfield.

At the 25th minute mark skillful dribbling and passing on the part of the German forwards broke the defense down.

“They also had some good, solid players up top that were a handful for us," Walsh said. "Our back players had to adjust to the pace of [Fatmire Bajramag], [Isabel Kerchowski], and [Julia Simic]. They were a handful for us."

The German playmakers combined well for a shot on goal from inside the 6-yard box, but goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher was up to the challenge, using quick reflexes to knock the ball away.

The U.S. returned to the offensive almost immediately, though. Midfielder Nikki Washington advanced the ball to just outside the area on the right, at which point she was fouled hard by Janka Rohrberg.

Tobin Heath took the free kick, a lovely curling shot that dipped down in front of the goal. It met the head of defender Alexondrea Trusty as if it had been special-ordered from Heath, and Trusty met the package with a classic headed finish for a 2-0 U.S .lead.

“Oni [Alexondrea] Trusty stepped up,"

Trusty said the the goal was a result of high expectations and matter-of-fact response.

“Tobin – I told her, just look for my head. She put in a perfect ball," Trusty said. "I saw it was going over everybody else’s head, and then I just headed it in.”

As one of the tallest players on the U17 team, Trusty also did battle with the tall German forwards in the box all match long, something for which she made a good impression on Coach Walsh.

she said. "She was very dominant in the air on the backline tonight.”

McDonald again beat her defender to get off another good cross in front of the goal in the 38th minute, but the German defense was able to push the ball further out, where a waiting Tobin Heath fired a long range shot that the goalkeeper was able to gather.

The revelation of both the camp thus far and the match may well have been McDonald, the winger who had an assist and created numerous chances. Walsh pointed out, “Jessica McDonald has come in and done a real nice job for us – she was one player who wasn’t in the last camp.”

Another player singled out for praise was Indiana native Annie Yi, who was often involved with starting the plays that led to scoring opportunities.

“Annie Yi has done a nice job filling in the attacking center midfield role,” said Walsh.

The first half drew to a close with the Germans beginning to maintain possession for longer stretches of time.

That continued when the whistle blew to start the final half of play, as the Germans pressed for at least a single goal, but the goal would not come be coming.

Despite the shutout, the number of German chances leads Trusty to believe the backline play for the U.S. can improve.

“I think we need to work on our composure when we’re up ahead, settling the game down, even when they’re coming at us hard because they want to score,” she said.

The German U17 team looked dangerous at several points, including on a corner kick in the 74th minute of play, but goalkeeper Chantel Jones, who had come in for the second half, came off her line to safely collect the ball.

However, the U.S. had chances as well, and both Trusty and Yi took shots on goal as the end of second half neared.

The last quality German shot followed some excellent build-up by the front players and a cross from Bajramaj that concluded with a Sylvie Banecki shot that was on-target, but right to goalkeeper Jones in the 87th minute.

Post match comments indicate confidence, expectation of improvement

For her part, O’Hara believed the U.S. was safely in charge for most of the match.

“They’re pretty skillful, but so are we," she said. "We know how to control the game. We know how to play to our strengths and I think we did that well. We won the game and we were able to dictate the tempo of the game.”

When the final whistle blew, it also seemed that fitness might have been a factor, as the U.S. team seemed fresher, while the Germans were visibly spent.

Walsh said she will call on the team to improve, noting that the Germans had some good looks at the goal in the game.

“I thought that they had too many big opportunities tonight," Walsh said. "Although we got the result, they had some very, very good chances that I thought they could have capitalized on. So we’ve got to figure out how to limit their number of chances in front of our goal.”

The teams meet again for another match on the second of March, while the U16 National Team will be facing the Germans Tuesday and Thursday.

Trusty realizes the upcoming match could be a bit different.

“They’re going to come out very strong, cause they know how we play now," she said. " But we know how they play now, too, so we should do fine.”

The U.S. - German soccer rivalry seems assured of being a good one for years to come. Walsh believes it is a competition marked by a high regard for the quality of the opponent.

“I think the way we saw the game start out tonight, there was a strong mutual respect from both sides.”

The respect seems to fuel O’Hara’s drive to win even more. She had a simple answer when asked what her goals were for the training camp.

U17 Team Roster, including clubs:

Goalkeepers: Chantel Jones - Richmond Strikers, Alyssa Naeher – South Central Premiere (CT)

Defenders: Alexondrea Trusty – Penn Strikers, Carolyn Blank – PDA (NJ), Jane Alkonis – Dallas Texans, Lauren Wilmoth – Dallas Texans, Lauren Switzer – Eclipse Black (IL), Megan Klingenberg – Hotspurs (CA

Midfielders: Kristen Stannard – FC Richmond MYSTX, Kelly Henderson – Albertson Fury (NY), Amber Gnatzig – Challenge SC (TX), Kaley Fountain – The Lonestars 88 (TX), Annie Yi – Carmel United Cyclones (IN), Nikki Washington – Dallas Texans, Ali Hawkins – San Diego Surf, Melissa Hayes – Sereno FC (AZ), Becky Edwards – Westchester Predators (PA

Forwards: Kelly O’Hara – PTC Lazers 88(GA), Kayanne Gummersal – Eclipse Select (IL), Jessica McDonald – Sereno FC (AZ), Gina DiMartino – Commack ISA Emeralds (NY), Rachel Givan – Mississippi United, Ashley Moore – South Central Premiere (CT)

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ANNUAL PSCA HONORS BANQUET Allessio Named Player of the Year

The 3rd annual honors banquet of the PSCA, held in the ‘Majestic’ banquet room of the Harrisburg/Hershey Holiday Inn on February 5th, was a grand success. There were 348 people in attendance for the early afternoon affair. Seventy-five of our 124 All State players were there to receive their certificates and a Brine soccer ball. Nine Regional All America players on the female side of the game and twelve on the male side of the game received their national certificates. Amanda Allessio of Council Rock South High School and E.J. McCormick of Fox Chapel High School were honored as the female and male Player of the Year in PA. They each received a beautiful trophy and a Brine sport bag.

Psca President presenting to Allessio

The following Coach of the Year Awards were presented: Male side of the game: Class A-Milt Scholl of Antietam High School; Class AA-Peter Ellis of Lewisburg High School; Class AAA-Uwe Schneider of Upper St. Clair High School. The female side of the game: Class AA-Chris Rada of Wyomissing High School and Class AAA-Ed Batista of Cumberland Valley High School.

Two coaches were inducted into the PSCA Hall of Fame. Long time Middleburg High School soccer coach, James Aurand, whose teams amassed a W-L-T record of 302-84-6 (co-coaching record was 100-15-5). His 1974 team captured the state title with a win over Tulpehocken High School. John Wilcher, long time soccer coach at Mount Lebanon High School, whose teams won 218 games while losing just 51 games with 20 ties. John went on to coach at Allegheny Community College.
The PSCA Honor Award was bestowed upon Joseph Tatta. Joseph coached at Haverford High School for 21 years, amassing a record of 250 wins, 112 losses and 54 ties. He is still serving as an officer of the Southeast PA Soccer Coaches Association and has been very active in the development of and growth of soccer on all levels for many years in the Philadelphia area.
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Women's Soccer Announces the Signing of Six Student-Athletes for the Class of 2009
February 9, 2005

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Georgetown University head women’s soccer coach Dave Nolan has announced the signing of six student athletes for the class of 2009. The incoming class will join an experienced squad, as the team graduates only three seniors and returns eight starters in 2005.

“This group has the potential to be our best recruiting class ever. They have all competed at the very top of youth soccer and been coached by some of the best youth coaches in the country,” commented Nolan, “With them we have added quality players at every position which makes us better and deeper than ever before. When you combine this group of talented players with a very strong returning cast I really am very excited about the future of Georgetown Women’s soccer.”

Laura Snyder (Harrisburg, Pa.) 5’8’’

Laura Snyder is a 5’8” midfielder from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Laura plays for the Pennsylvania Strikers. She has been a consistent member of the Eastern Pennsylvania Olympic Development program and a Region 1 Team member for the last five years. Laura played her high school soccer at Central Dauphin High School, where she was named an NSCAA Regional All American. She will be a student in the Georgetown College.

“Laura is an extremely versatile player who has the ability to play anywhere on the field. She will help us primarily along either flank, defensively or in midfield. She has played at the highest level and I expect her to help us immediately.”
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Cavalier Women's Soccer Announces 2005 Recruiting Class
Feb. 8, 2005

CHARLOTTESVILLE - The Virginia women's soccer program announced this week that eight players have signed letters of intent to join the Cavalier program this fall. Alli Fries (Dublin, Ohio), Nikki Krzysik (Clifton, N.J.), Celeste Miles (Garland, Texas), Kelly Quinn (Dublin, Ohio), Jessica Rostedt (Kent, Ohio), Sarah Senty (Arlington, Va.), Alex Singer (Rye, N.Y.) and Amanda Stewart (West Chester, Pa.) will form the first-year class for the 2005 Virginia women's soccer team.

The class is highlighted by four players with experience on United States Youth National Teams, all of which have earned All-American honors.

"We could not be more excited about this years recruiting class," says head coach Steve Swanson. "We needed to replace a large and talented senior class who helped lift our program to new heights during the last four years. We feel this class will be equally special both on and off the field, especially when they begin to work with what we feel is an excellent group of returning players. Each of these incoming recruits has the potential to impact our program right away on the field, but it is their qualities as people that make them standout. They all have great attitudes, want to learn, possess a tremendous work ethic, and most importantly are team players. I have no doubt that they will make their mark on Virginia Soccer, the University of Virginia and the Charlottesville community in the next four years."

Amanda Stewart - Defender - West Chester, Pa. (Delaware County Christian School)
Two-time All-State (2003-04) ... Member of ODP Regional and State Teams ... 2003 Delaware County Daily Times Player of the Year ... Also a standout in track, has competed at the Penn Relays.

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SMU Inks Seven Women's Soccer Student-Athletes for Fall, 2005
 
(2/3/2005) - DALLAS (SMU) - SMU head women’s soccer coach John Cossaboon announced the signing of seven student-athletes to national letters-of-intent for this coming fall season. They include Katie Bartush (Granger, Ind.), Caitlin Carter (Arlington, Texas), Gillian Field (Dallas, Texas), Ashley Gunter (Lancaster, Pa.), Kirsten Moran (Southlake, Texas), Carley Phillips (Plano, Texas), and Alex Stolhandske (San Antonio, Texas). Five of the newest members of the Mustang family hail from the state of Texas.

Ashley Gunter is a 6-0 goalkeeper from Lancaster, Pa., and attends Manheim Township High School. She plays for the Region I finalists and Pennsylvania state champions, the Pennsylvania Strikers. Ashley is a member of the National Honor Society. “Ashley comes from a strong training and playing background,” says Cossaboon. “With her size, intelligence, poise and great hands, Ashley has unlimited potential as a goalkeeper.”

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Duke Women's Soccer Announces Five Commitments For 2005
Blue Devils return 10 of 11 starters from last year

Feb. 3, 2005
DURHAM, N.C. - Duke University women's soccer head coach Robbie Church announced the addition of five commitments for the 2005 campaign on Thursday. Christie McDonald of Newnan, Ga., Cassidy Powers of San Ramon, Calif., Sheila Kramer of Camp Hill, Pa., Kelly Hathorn of Durham, N.C. and Kelly McCann of Carlsbad, Calif., will all attend Duke University in the fall and play soccer.

"We are very excited about this recruiting class as we bring in five quality players, which will provide depth to our roster that we have needed," said Church. "It is a versatile class that will provide us with a great deal of change for our program. Three of the players can play in the back and that has been one area that we have not had as much depth."

A player-by-player listing is below:

Sheila Kramer
5-8 • Defender • Camp Hill, Pa. • Cumberland Valley

Plays for the nationally-ranked Pennsylvania Strikers club team ... anchors the defense for the Strikers, the Eastern PA State Champions from 1999-2004, Regional Finalist in 2003, 2004 and Indoor State Champion in 2003 ... member of ODP from 1999-2004 ... ODP Region I Champion in 2000 ... a three-year letterwinner in soccer for AAA Cumberland Valley High School with the spring season still to come ... started as a freshman and sophomore before being injured her junior season, returning for the state playoffs ... as a sophomore and junior, team advanced to the state finals and was the district champion ... as a freshman, listed by the Patriot News as a "Freshman to Watch" ... led team to a 66-12-3 record over the last three years.

Quoting Church on Kramer:
"Sheila is a center back on one of the top club teams in the country. She will come in and provide depth at our backfield. We are expecting her to challenge our starting players at that position for a starting job."

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Women's Soccer Signs Five For Class of 2005
Three high schoolers and two transfers make up one of the nation's top classes.

Feb. 2, 2005
College Park, Md. - Maryland women's soccer head coach Shannon Higgins-Cirovski will welcome three high school stars and two transfers to the Terrapin soccer program for the 2005 season as part of National Signing Day.
"I'm very pleased with the class we've been able to assemble," said Higgins-Cirovski. "We lost two very good players to graduation, but we're bringing in five exceptional players in this class. It's a well-rounded class with tremendous versatility. The two juniors in the class bring a certain level of maturity with them. I have no reason to believe that this is not one of the top classes in the country.
"Along with some invited walk-ons, this is a very big class, and given our recent history with injuries, this class will complement our existing players and give us the depth we've missed in the last couple of seasons."
Coming to College Park to don the red and black will be midfielder/defender Aimee Bresani (Woodbury, N.J./Bishop Eustace), defender/midfielder Kimberly Bunting (Potomac, Md./Bullis), outside midfielder/forward Melissa Heintz (Sebastopol, Calif./Analy High/Santa Rosa JC), midfielder/forward Sarah Sample (Annapolis, Md./St. Mary's/George Washington), and forward/midfielder Kaila Sciascia (East Northport, N.Y./John Glenn).

 
Class of 2005 Profiles
Aimee Bresani
Freshman
Midfielder/Defender
Woodbury, N.J.
(Bishop Eustace)

Higgins-Cirovski on Bresani: "Aimee is a versatile player who will be able to help us almost anywhere on the field. She is strong, aggressive and tactically aware and has potential for enormous growth."
Bresani's Highlights: Two-year team captain at Bishop Eustace ... lead the Crusaders to four Olympic Conference championships ... two-time team MVP ... three-time South Jersey Parochial championships ... 2002 and 2004 New Jersey State Parochial titles ... two-time N.J. all-Parochial first team ... first team all-state in 2003 and 2004 ... four-time first team all-Olympic Conference ... 2003-04 all-South Jersey ... two-time first team selection by Philadelphia Inquirer and South Jersey Courier Post ... nominated for Philadelphia Inquirer and South Jersey Courier Post player of the year in 2003 and 2004 ... five-year member of the New Jersey ODP team (1999-2004) ... member of the Region I team from 2003-2004 ... member of the Region I pool from 1999-2004 ... played for the Pennsylvania Strikers club team ... helped the Strikers win the 2004 state championship.
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Strikers defeated Reston FC 2-0

Penn Strikers defeated Reston FC 2-0 in the U18 division, but had to work hard to earn the victory. The start of the match saw Reston control the first several minutes, then the Strikers found their rhythm and put the pressure on RFC. PA Strikers were able to break through Reston's back line after Amiee Bresani put a ball through to Devon Swaim and was able to finish giving her team the lead. Strikers were able to clinch the game right before the end of the first half after Natalie Capuano won a goal kick and sent it back into play. Swaim was able to run on the dangerous ball and with two defenders on her broke through and lobbed it over the outcoming goalie.

Reston coach Todd Hitt commented "this was a great game, Strikers and Reston are always competitive" and he loves to see girls play at this level of soccer.

Strikers coach David Shaw reiterated what Hitt had to say. "Two great teams with a healthy rivalry. We have a lot of respect for RFC, the 4 time Region 1 champion. We love to play against such a great team as Reston. http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/ScoreSheet/1102223359/view

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Capuano scoring with her hard work
By Rob Knox (delcotimes.com 10/08/2004)

Midway through the first half of Sun Valley’s 4-1 girls soccer win over Delco Christian Tuesday afternoon, Natalie Capuano drew a foul from a Delco Christian defender when she fell to the ground after she was nudged. That prompted Delco Christian coach Mike Dicken to make a funny and accurate observation to anyone within earshot: "That’s not a foul. She doesn’t go down that easily. I know."

Dicken, who has coached against Capuano for four years, is right because Capuano is as tough as they come.

That’s why nobody should really be surprised the gifted Sun Valley two-time All-Delco senior midfielder is flourishing after tearing her anterior cruiciate ligament in her left knee while trying out for the U-18 national team in Boca Raton, Fla., last year.

"I got taken out from behind," Capuano said of her injury. "I remember getting up and going off the field. It hurt a little bit, but I didn’t think too much about the pain because I wanted to get back in. I kept trying to play through it. The coach put me back in and then after a minute, my knee gave up out completely."

The end of Capuano’s soccer career briefly flashed through her mind as she withered in pain and yelled in agony while lying flat on her back following her first major injury outside of the occasional concussion. The injury robbed the three-sport Capuano of her basketball and softball seasons.

"It was horrible," Capuano said. "I thought it was the end of the world. I never experienced pain like that in my life. I knew it was possible to come back because several girls had returned from that type of injury. I was just afraid of how I was going to play when I came back."

Turns out those fears were greatly exaggerated.

Capuano, who lists her favorite flick as "A League of Their Own," stands alone in the pantheon that is Delaware County girls soccer. A scoring Munchkin with the fierceness of a lion and black hair, Capuano recently became the most prolific girls soccer scorer since the Daily Times began keeping statistics in 1999.

With her second four-goal performance of the season during the Vanguards’ 4-0 win against Lansdale Catholic over the weekend, Capuano became the second female player to score more than 70 career goals. When she converted a penalty kick in the 38th minute of the Vanguards’ win against Delco Christian, Capuano soared to the top of the scoring charts with 73 career goals, one more than Interboro two-time All-Delco Morgan McCann, who is playing at Virginia Wesleyan.

"I am not really a goal scorer," Capuano said. "On my club team (Pennsylvania Strikers), I play defensive center midfield. I had no idea I would score this many goals here at Sun Valley. It’s a really big honor considering how many talented players that have come through Delaware County."

The county record for career goals is believed to 132, held by the late great Aimee Willard, who played for the Academy of Notre Dame in the early ’90s.

Capuano endured a rigorous rehabilitation regimen at the Christiana Clinic that included a lot of pain, balancing exercises and a few frustrating moments. Among some of the leg strengthening exercises, Capuano had to throw a medicine ball against a trampoline while standing on a gumdrop, which proved to be challenging at first because Capuano’s knee kept wobbling from the pressure of the assignment.

The senior midfielder is back to her usual dominant self. Running around the field like a bulldog chasing a tennis ball, spinning through defenders like a pinwheel, flying through the air like Superwoman to head balls and creating scoring chances for her teammates, Capuano leads the county with 16 goals.

"If somebody told me when I was a freshman that I would score that many goals, I would’ve been like, no way," Capuano said. "I’ve had a great career here at Sun Valley. I was part of a league championship team, three playoff teams and I set the school record for goals (the previous mark was 49). There really isn’t anything else for me to accomplish."

Despite Sun Valley’s 4-8-0 record and tough start to the season, Capuano is having a blast. Although Capuano has been hounded, harassed and shadowed more than the paparazzi follows celebrities, Capuano, a ballerina in cleats, still has found a way to make an impact with her goal scoring, decision making, passing ability, leadership and personality.

"I felt bad for her when she told me she injured her knee, but I knew she would come back," said Delco Christian’s Amanda Stewart, Capuano’s best friend and reigning Daily Times Girls Soccer Player of the Year. "I admire Natalie because she has the best work ethic on and off the field. When she sets her mind to doing something, it gets done."

Capuano has come a long way from the nervous little girl who played for the Hershey Kisses, her first soccer team. On the field, she attacks opposing players like a shark stalking blood. Off the field, Capuano is laid back, hilarious and a scholar.

More important than all of her soccer accomplishments is Capuano’s distinguished status as a member of the National Honor Society, where she serves as the vice president. Capuano’s list of college destinations has dwindled to two: Georgetown and the University of Pennsylvania. She will play soccer.

Capuano is focused on helping Sun Valley finish with a winning record. She is not concerned with how many goals she ends her career with. Even though she did not set out to score, Capuano has left a legacy -- which has nothing to do with scoring -- to which younger girls can aspire.

Her toughness, resilience and work ethic is what Capuano leaves behind along with the shredded record book.

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Busy Stewart hard to stop
Playing for Delco Christian and a club team, she fills different roles on the soccer field.

By Joe r>
Inquirer Suburban Staff

Amanda Stewart carries this perpetually split soccer personality.

For her Delco Christian high school team, Stewart plays center midfield, primarily an offensive position. On her national club team, she plays right fullback, a defensive position.

It can be so confusing that the speedy, 5-foot-1 Stewart often has to remind herself to shoot when she's playing for the Knights.

It's a delicate balance beam that Stewart tiptoes with aplomb. Her versatility is also one of the reasons why Stewart is bound for Virginia on a soccer scholarship and is one of the most potent high school midfielders in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Delco Christian is one of the best Class AA schools in District 1, and at the hub is Stewart. The four-year starter has the defensive skills that enable her to strip opposing players of the ball and the offensive talent to drive through a maze of players and find a way to score.

The Knights are 3-0 this season. They have scored a total of 11 goals, with four of those goals and two assists coming from Stewart.

After scoring 14 goals and handing out 22 assists last season, Stewart will be constantly marked this season. It's easy enough to find her on the field, since she seems to be everywhere, but hard to stop her.

Still, when she suits up for Delco Christian (3-0), Stewart, 17, needs an occasional reminder to shoot.

"It's not in Amanda's nature to be selfish, and I actually have to tell her to be selfish," Knights coach Mike Dicken said. "I haven't had to tell Amanda to shoot that much this year, because she understands her role, with us losing eight seniors from last year. We have a good team, and with Amanda, if teams start paying too much attention to her, she's able to distribute things for us."

Stewart, who lives in West Chester, is as difficult to keep up with off the field as she is on the field. She also has a year-round commitment to the Pennsylvania Strikers club team, which practices two to three times a week in King of Prussia. The Strikers, six-time state champions who also feature Christina McLaughlin, last season's Inquirer player of the year in Southeastern Pennsylvania, play on weekends.

Her club team scrimmages with such college teams as Penn State, Villanova, Tennessee, Penn, Virginia Tech and Loyola (Md.).

"If I have a high school game and a club practice, I go to my high school game, but if I have a club game and a high school practice, I go to my club game," said Stewart, who is expected to attend Virginia. "A game always takes priority over practice."

Her goals this season are good examples of how much Stewart has improved. While last year she set up teammates and scored at close range, two of her goals this season have come from 40 and 30 yards out.

"Switching different positions was harder for me to begin with," Stewart said, "but I do get to work on things I'm not as strong in, and I have more freedom on the field."

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College Soccer Scout Releases 2004 Honors WOMEN Class of 2004   Pennsylvania

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Amanda Allessio, All-American, Langhorne
Kelly Reed, All-USA, East, South Park
Kristen Verbit, All-USA, East, Newtown

Full listing click here: http://www.collegesoccerscout.com/static/bystate.html

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Verbit returns for full season at C.R. North
She provided a spark last year.

By Rick O'Brien Inquirer Suburban Staff

Last season, in the semifinal round of the PIAA District 1 girls' soccer tournament, Council Rock North stunned new neighborhood rival Council Rock South, 2-1.

Council Rock South had entered the playoff with an 18-0 record, was ranked first in one national poll, and had beaten Council Rock North, 5-1, less than two weeks earlier.

"It was a combination of us peaking at the right time and playing really well in that game," said Kristen Verbit, a central midfielder for Council Rock North.

The upset also had a lot do with Verbit being a full-time player for the Indians. She played sparingly last spring after fracturing her right ankle during basketball season.

"We had a rather mediocre season until Kristen came back," Council Rock North coach Bruce Jacobs said. "Our success at the end of the season had a lot to do with her play."

In 2001 and 2002, before Council Rock split into North and South, Verbit helped lead the school to district and state championships. The program went 46-1-2 over those two years.

Council Rock North went 13-5-3 in its inaugural campaign and lost to Central Bucks West, 1-0, in the district final. Though Verbit was sidelined for more than half of the season, she earned first-team all-Suburban One League honors for the second straight year.

"Missing as much time as I did was really frustrating," Verbit said. "It was hard not being able to play."

Verbit opted not to play basketball this year. The 5-foot-6 senior did not want to risk being injured again. She also wanted to dedicate more time to playing soccer for her club team, the Pennsylvania Strikers, and preparing for her career at Virginia Tech.

"I went to one or two basketball games," said Verbit, who averaged about 12 points and four assists per game as a junior. "Part of me missed being with the players and coaches. But I thought it was best to take the year off and prepare for soccer."

Though he sympathized with basketball coach Lou Palkovics, Jacobs was pleased to see Verbit arrive at the season's first practice with fresher legs and more energy. "She's in better soccer shape," Jacobs said.

Verbit has kept busy playing for the Strikers, who last summer won their fifth straight state championship and advanced to the Region 1 final in Rhode Island before losing to the Bethesda (Md.) Excel.

Last weekend, the Strikers traveled to Las Vegas for a prestigious showcase tournament. Over the last month, they have played against four college teams: Penn State, Connecticut, Clemson and Loyola (Md.).

"When we play against colleges, the intensity is incredible," Verbit said. "The girls are so much bigger and quicker. It makes you work harder."

Dave Shaw, the Strikers' head coach, said Verbit is "one of the most dedicated kids you'll ever meet. She's extremely committed and focused."

Verbit was raised in an athletic family. Her father, Steve, is the defensive coordinator for Princeton's football team; her mother, Vicki, was a standout lacrosse player, and her brother, Matt, starred in football and basketball at Council Rock. He is Princeton's incumbent starter at quarterback.

Kristen Verbit chose Virginia Tech over Florida State and Villanova. The 17-year-old from Newtown, Bucks County, plans to major in communications.

Last fall, the Hokies went 9-9 overall and 2-4 in the Big East Conference. They will begin playing in the Atlantic Coast Conference next season.

Virginia Tech is coached by Kelly Cagle, a former player for the Atlanta Beat of the Women's United Soccer Association. Her husband, Dan, is an assistant coach.

"They're great people," Verbit said. "Kelly is very enthusiastic and intense; Dan is the same way."

Last season, Council Rock North was runner-up to Souderton in the Colonial Division. With a healthy Verbit roaming the middle of the field, the Indians are expected to again be among the district's top teams.

"I'm really excited," Verbit said. "With the girls we have back, I think the potential for a great season is there."

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Cagle and Staff Excited About 2004 Recruiting Class
Hokies add strength in numbers as 14 commit to Virginia Tech

February 12, 2004

Midfielder Kristen Verbit, from Newtown, Pa., prepped at Council Rock North High School where she led her team to two state championships. The daughter of Steve and Vicki Verbit, she intends to study communications. Verbit led Council Rock North to the PIAA state championship in 2001 and 2002 where they captured the title both years. She was named Bucks County Courier Times Player of the Year in 2002 and was a Philadelphia Inquirer Athlete of the Week in 2002 as well. She also played for the Pennsylvania Strikers club team for six years. Her team won the Eastern Pennsylvania State championship in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003 and was a Region I finalist in 2003. In 2000, she led her team to the Region I championship, while in 2000, the Strikers were Nike World Cup finalists. Verbit also has one year experience with the Eastern Pennsylvania ODP team.

 

"Kristen is the backbone of one of the most successful clubs in Region I. She is steady as they come, which is an important quality to have from the defensive midfield position" said Cagle. "Combine this consistency with her leadership qualities and competitive background and we feel we have a true gem. We are very excited she is coming to Virginia Tech."

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Allessio named Pa. Gatorade Player of Year
By TOM WARING
Bucks County Courier Times

Amanda Allessio doesn't know how she was nominated for a prestigious Gatorade-sponsored soccer award, but she did know that the winners would be announced last Thursday.

Allessio, a senior at Council Rock-South High School, decided to check the Gatorade Web site that day in school to see who won. She was surprised to see her name as the winner of the 2003 Pennsylvania High School Girls Soccer Player of the Year award. In case she didn't know, her mom called her in school to relay the good news.

"I feel really honored to get this," she said.

Gatorade, in conjunction with Scholastic Coach & Athletic Director magazine, has been honoring the best high school athletes in the United States and the District of Columbia for 19 years. Among the past soccer winners is Kimmy Francis, a 2001 Council Rock graduate.

This year, the company honored student-athletes in 10 sports. Allessio and the rest of the winners are inducted into the Gatorade Circle of Champions and are finalists for the National High School Girls Soccer Player of the Year award, which will be announced later this month.

"That would be a great honor," said Allessio, adding that she's not getting her hopes up.

The state winners will be recognized in an upcoming edition of Parade magazine, and the school will receive a plaque and banner.

Allessio, a forward who has earned an athletic scholarship to Rutgers University, recorded a team-high 15 goals and eight assists as a junior. She was a first-team all-star on the Courier Times Golden team and in the Suburban One League Liberty Division. In her career, she has 46 goals and 22 assists.

CR-South coach Jim Dunn describes Allessio as an excellent playmaker with good field vision and technical ability. The coach said she has the ability to score and makes her teammates better by putting them in position to score.

"She's just got a wealth of talent," he said. "I think she'll be somebody who continues to get better. She has almost unlimited potential."

Allessio started as a freshman and a sophomore at Council Rock and as a junior at CR-South. A returning captain, she might play some midfield this spring because of the graduation of Kelli Burke.

Allessio, who plays for the Pennsylvania Strikers club team, is looking forward to the high school season. Last year, the Golden Hawks suffered a bitter District One playoff loss to Council Rock-North.

"I think we'll have a good season. We have a lot of good players coming back, and I think we have a real good freshman class coming in," she said.

Allessio, who has a 3.3 grade-point average, will major in sports marketing at Rutgers. Among her teammates will be former Council Rock star Courtney Hudson.

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Mark Krikorian named new US National Team U-19 Head Coach

Former Philadelphia Charge coach Mark Krikorian has been hired as the U.S. under-19 women's head coach, taking over for Tracey Leone, who has been promoted to April Heinrichs' assistant with the full women's national team.

Krikorian, 43, will accompany the U-19s on their trek next week to Mexico, where they will meet Mexico's senior national women's team on Wednesday in Mexico City and next Friday in Tabasco.

Leone, 36, guided the U-19s to the title at the first FIFA U-19 World Championship 17 months ago in Canada. She leaves today with the national team for the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament in Costa Rica.

Krikorian was in Carson, Calif., with the U-19s last month, looking at the team and assessing logistical matters before he accepted a U.S. Soccer contract offer. He has worked as a scout for Heinrichs, including during last year's Women's World Cup, after leading the Charge to a 25-23-13 record in three years of the WUSA. The team lost in the WUSA semifinals in 2001 and 2002.

No decision has been made on the status of U-19 assistant coaches Jeff Pill and Warren Lipka.

The U-19s are preparing for the May 28-June 6 CONCACAF qualifiers in Canada and the second World Championship Nov. 20-27 in Thailand.

Krikorian said Friday that he was impressed with the talent in the U-19 pool, that he was ''very impressed with the mentality, the work ethic of the players, and I was quite satisfied with their technical level.''

The U-19 team features four players from the 2002 championship team -- goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris, defender Rachel Buehler and forwards Kerri Hanks and Angie Woznuk -- and the nation's top college freshmen and high school players. Among other key players for the squad are defenders Becky Sauerbrunn, Stephanie Lopez and Jen Buczkowski, midfielders Lorraine Quinn and Carrie Schmit, and forwards Sheree Gray, Megan Rapinoe and Bristyn Davis.

U.S. full national-teamer Heather O'Reilly also is in the pool although she had not been in camp with the current crop. The team's player pool encompasses about 60 players.

Asked how the hierarchy among players would be impacted by the change in coaching, Krikorian said: ''I'm certainly going to use Tracey's know-how, and Jeff's and Warren's, as well. They have been together for awhile, and it would be foolish to discard what they have to say.

''On the other side, the players have to fit my vision of the game, how we play and so forth, so it might provide opportunities for some players, but I'm not looking to make sweeping changes. What they've done has worked. Now it's a matter of tweaking so it reflects what my vision may be.''

The Charge were one of the best teams the first two seasons of the women's professional league but were waylaid by myriad injuries last year and finished 5-11-5, playing to its potential only in the final weeks. Krikorian was the WUSA Coach of the Year in 2002.

Prior to joining the Charge, Krikorian was head coach of NCAA Division II power Franklin Pierce in 1990-96 and of Division I school Hartford in 1997-2000. Krikorian was 168-49-6 as a college coach, winning NCAA titles in 1994 and 1995. He was an assistant coach for the men's team at Division III Maine-Farmington in the late '80s, and he played collegiately at Division II St. Anselm College in Manchester, N.H.

Krikorian will continue to be based near Philadelphia. Leone is based near Phoenix.

Leone, who played at North Carolina, earned 29 caps (under her maiden name, Bates) as a midfielder for the U.S. national team in 1987-91 and was part of the squad that won the first Women's World Cup title in 1991. She served as an assistant coach for two years at Creighton, then started Clemson's women's program in 1994, guiding the Tigers to an 87-36-3 mark in six seasons as head coach.

She took a leave of absence in 1999 to work with U.S. Soccer's youth national teams (working first with the U-16 girls), and her husband, Ray Leone, took charge of the program after serving as co-head coach. Ray Leone now is the head coach at Arizona State.

Her U-19 team in 2002 featured O'Reilly and current full national team players Lindsay Tarpley, Lori Chalupny and Leslie Osborne, and forward Kelly Wilson, who also has played with the full national team.

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Region I Girls League Underway, Close Divisional Races Expected

By Susan Bueti, 03.08.2003.
Article comes from topdrawersoccer.com

The U.S. Youth Soccer Region I Spring Premier League has just begun its season, and for the first time, all girls age-groups from U14 to U18 will be represented.

Last year, 38 teams competed in the U14, U16 and U18 age groups. This year, the number of teams has more than doubled to 78 from U14 to U18.

League play began on March 1 in the U18 North group with four games at the PDA Fields in Zarephath, NJ. The PDA Torpedoes (NJ) got an early jump on the competition with wins over the Rochester Rhinos 17G and the Rochester Rhinos Elite (NYW). East Meadow Dream Team (ENY) won and tied against the same two teams.

The Torpedoes are the defending U18 champions, winning the group last spring, while still a U17 team. After finishing third in the regular season, the Torpedoes upset their fellow club members, the then U18 PDA Splash in the semifinals and whipped the Ocean Shooting Stars (NJ) 5-0 in the final. The Torpedoes' main rival this season should be the defending Regional Cup champion, HBC Fury (ENY). The Fury finished atop the standings in 2002 (with only one loss - to the Torpedoes) but were surprised by the Shooting Stars in the semifinals. The Fury rebounded nicely, however, winning the 2002 Eastern New York state championship, Regional Cup, and December's Disney Soccer Showcase. The Torpedoes and Fury collide in a high-caliber match-up at the PDA Fields on Saturday, March 29.

The class of the new U18 South group is centered in Maryland. Frederick United and the Bethesda Dragons finished 1-2 in the Maryland state tournament last season and could be the teams to beat here. They face each other on Sunday, April 13 at the Maryland Soccerplex in Germantown. The FC Delco Appaloosas (EPA) could certainly have a say in matters as well.

Pittsburgh's Beadling Soccer Club (PAW) won the girls U16 championship last spring playing in the North group but will face a tougher challenge this year competing in a very strong U17 South group. Defending Regional Cup champion and Disney Showcase finalist VISTA Firestars lead the list of challengers. Virginia runners-up and Regional Cup semifinalist Prince William Eclipse and New Jersey champion Medford Strikers Rage should also pose threats.

In the U17 North group, the PDA Galaxy (NJ) and Albertson Elite (ENY) return from last year's U16 competition when both teams went undefeated. Both lost in the semifinals and faced off in an intense third-place match, which Albertson won on penalty kicks. The Massachusetts state champion South Coast Scorpions are new to the Premier League this year and will look to contend while the two New York state champions - Greece Cobras (NYW) and Clifton Park (ENY) – will hope to improve upon last year's midtable finishes.

U16 is especially hard to predict since none of the teams have competed in the Premier League before. Several state association champions are participating, including the Langhorne Strikers (EPA), Beadling Centennials (PAW), CFC Arsenal (CT), PDA Stampede (NJ), Oceanside Express (NYE), and Syracuse Blitz (NYW). Throw in state finalists such as Lacey Magic (NJ), Braddock Road YC Aurora (VA), Bucks-Mont United (EPA), and the Rochester Junior Rhinos (NYW), and you have the makings of an extremely competitive division.

All of the top teams from last year's U14 division are back in action this year in the new U15 division. In 2002, the Parsippany Mischief (NJ) edged the West Chester Predators (EPA) in the U14 final. Both teams should contend again, but the favorites must be the PDA Wildcats (NJ) and defending Regional Cup champions Bethesda Eclipse, who play in the South. The Wildcats did not participate in the Premier League last season but won the New Jersey state championship, four top tournaments, and the Super Y League title to boot.

In U14, the CRUSA FC Bucks (EPA) are the leading team in the region with three top tournament championships and the Eastern Pennsylvania state title to their credit. Three other teams in the U14 South group have solid credentials as well – EPA runners-up FC Delco Fusion, plus the Braddock Road YC Impact and Sting teams which finished 1-2 in the 2002 Virginia state tournament. In the North, the PDA Fury (NJ) and their U13 clubmates the PDA Power should be the class of the field, although it’s always more difficult to tell with the younger age groups.

Top Drawer Soccer is dedicated to covering all top-level league, tournament, state, regional and national cup play. While we will do whatever we can to accomplish this, we recognize the ned for those involved to assist us with compiling information such as match results and details.

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Soccer News and Events - June 2002 
From Disney's Wide World of Sports

Team Showcase

Pennsylvania Strikers - Langhorne, Pennsylvania

The '86/'87 Pennsylvania Strikers are a U-15 girl's team based out of Langhorne, Pennsylvania. The team was formed in 1998 and since then has enjoyed the reputation as one of the top teams in their age group in the country. The Strikers are currently ranked as one of the top five U-15 girl's teams in the United States by several nationally recognized polls. The team has participated in many competitive tournaments including the San Diego Surf Cup and the Phoenix President's Day Tournament. Notable championships include the Jefferson Cup in Richmond, Virginia and the WAGS Cup in Germantown, Maryland. The team is also the three-time defending State champions from Eastern Pennsylvania.

Disney's Wide World of Sports was the location for the filming of a video training series involving former national team head coach Tony DiCicco, national team player Brandi Chastain and the Strikers. The team is scheduled to shoot another training video in Barbados this summer.

The Strikers participated in Disney's Soccer Showcase in December 2001, playing up in the U-16 bracket. Their only loss came against the eventual tournament champions. Playing at the Disney complex and experiencing all of the attractions of Disney World made the trip one of the team's favorites. Also, being able to play in front of numerous college coaches, who were there to observe the best soccer players in the country, was a thrill. The Disney Soccer Showcase is an event that the team looks forward to participate in each year.

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