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Redbird Soccer Adds Seven Players
Feb. 8, 2008
NORMAL, Ill. - Illinois State head women's soccer coach Drew Roff announced his first full recruiting class of seven players on Friday, Feb. 8. Roff and assistant coach Shaunna Daugherty welcome the seven newcomers with the hopes that they will continue the success the Redbirds achieved in 2007 with their fifth Missouri Valley Conference regular season championship. The Class of 2012 consists of forwards Jess Carlson and Mary Sahm, midfielder Natalie McCabe, backs Afton Delvecchio and Emily Fiddy, back/forward Alex Howell and goalkeeper Sasha Reiber. "I am very excited to have signed this outstanding class of student-athletes," said Roff. "We feel that we have really addressed our needs by bringing in players from some of the best clubs in the United States and Canada, including Eclipse Select, Michigan Hawks and London City. The experience of competing and achieving success at a high level has prepared them to come in and make an impact right away. Our goal was to bring in players with not only athleticism and skill, but also intelligence and leadership ability. We have accomplished that and with this group the future of Redbird Soccer is in very good hands." 2008 Redbird Soccer Signees Jessica Carlson • Three-year starter at Hinsdale South. Tallied 45 goals and 36 assists so far in her career. Coach Roff on Carlson: "Jess has all the tools to be a tremendous attacking player for us. She likes to take players on and is very good at creating scoring chances for herself and for her teammates. Her ability and her will to win make her very special.
Afton Delvecchio • Three-year starter at Seaholm and a captain for the upcoming 2008 season. Coach Roff on Delvecchio: "Afton reads the game very well and does a great job of distributing the ball once she wins it. She also does an excellent job of communicating and organizing players around her, which is very hard to find." Emily Fiddy • Won three Ontario Cup Club Soccer titles with the North London Soccer Club. Coach Roff on Fiddy:"Emily is a very intelligent player with good size that is capable of playing anywhere in the back for us. She not only defends well and is strong in the air, but also can strike the ball with power and accuracy with both feet which will be very valuable in starting our attack." Alex Howell • Helped New Trier win a state championship in 2006. Coach Roff on Howell: "Alex defends and attacks equally well and has very good pace which makes her an excellent fit to play out wide for us. She also approaches the game with a great mentality and has a tremendous work ethic." Natalie McCabe • Team MVP with the Lucas Vikings in 2007 and led the team to the provincial championship. Coach Roff on McCabe: "Natalie is a very skillful and intelligent player that will come in and contribute right away as a central player. "She has all the qualities we look for in a player in that role. She plays very composed, has a high soccer IQ, and is physically and mentally tough. She could be a real difference maker for us." Sasha Reiber
• Helped the South Side Cyclones to four-straight New York State Class A titles (2004-07). Coach Roff on Reiber: "Sasha is very explosive and technically sound but what makes her special is that she is much more than just a shot stopper. She communicates extremely well, is very good with her feet, and has all the intangibles you look for in a goalkeeper. She will compete for the starting job right away." Mary Sahm • Four-year starter and two-year captain at Roncalli. Coach Roff on Sahm: "Mary is a physically strong forward that plays very well with her back to goal. She is left-footed, but is capable of scoring goals with either foot and is also very good at finishing off crosses, which makes her a constant threat. |
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