DAYTON ANNOUNCES 2005 WOMEN'S SOCCER INCOMING CLASS
Class Features Nine Players, First California Recruit
Feb. 2, 2005 DAYTON -
University of Dayton women's soccer head coach Mike Tucker announced today the signing of nine student-athletes who have committed to attend UD and play soccer in the fall. The Flyers' incoming class is comprised of seven from the Buckeye State, one from Pennsylvania and UD's first recruit from California. The class features five student-athletes in Olympic Development Program (ODP) Regional pools.
"This is obviously an exciting time of year," Tucker said. "We are very happy with this group in that they are very talented players, excellent students and quality people. As we continue to strive to grow the soccer program to national prominence, these young ladies will play a major role."
Chelsea Ashe
Position: F/MF
Height: 5-4
Hometown: Venetia, PA
High School: Peters Township
Club: Beadling Centennials
A high-scoring frontrunner, Chelsea Ashe was captain of her Peters Township (PA) HS team that reached the State Quarterfinals in 2004. After moving from Connecticut following her freshman season, Ashe helped PTHS to a combined 51-12-7 record and a state semifinal appearance in 2003. The 5-4 forward was selected both WPIAL and Section 5 All-Star as a junior and senior. She totaled 125 points on 43 goals and 39 assists in high school. Villanova, James Madison and Sacred Heart also recruited Ashe. Ashe's mother, Susan, and father, Douglas, are both UD graduates. Her dad played soccer for the Flyers.
"Chelsea is now completely recovered from knee surgery," Tucker said. "She provides a great attacking mentality, is strong with either
foot and has good speed and quickness."
Annette Bonasso
Position: MF/D/MF
Height: 5-7
Hometown: Dublin, OH
High School: Coffman
Club: Ohio Premier
Annette Bonasso comes to UD following a successful prep career at one of Ohio's most dominate soccer programs. In Bonasso's four years at Coffman HS, the team compiled a remarkable 82-6-5 record, reached the State Finals three times and won a pair of championships (2001, 2003). A two-time First Team All-Conference, 5-7 midfielder was named Second Team All-State as a senior. Bonasso has been in the `86 ODP Region II Pool. Her Ohio Premier club was State Champions from 2000 to 20003. She chose UD over West Virginia, Kentucky and Louisville.
"Annette is a well-rounded player who reads the game well and who has the physical skills to impact offensively or defensively," Tucker said. "We are very excited about her leaping ability and speed."
Amanda Gallow
Position: MF
Height: 5-8
Hometown: West Chester, OH
High School: Lakota East
Club: Cincinnati Premier
A highly-touted player from nearby West Chester, OH, Amanda Gallow comes to UD with a long list of credentials both on and off the field. Athletically, Gallow helped lead her Lakota East HS team to the District Final in 2003 while scoring 19 points on six goals and seven assists. The 5-8 midfielder was selected First Team All-Conference as a result. (She missed her senior season due to injury). She has been in the `87 ODP Region II Pool. In the classroom, Gallow was a three-year member of both the National Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society, while finishing in the top 25 of her class each year. Mississippi, Michigan State and Duquesne also recruited Gallow.
"The first thing you notice about Amanda is her tremendous speed," Tucker said. "She can break down defenses off the dribble or in space and has the skill to play anywhere on the field."
Sarah Honacki
Position: GK
Height: 5-10
Hometown: Bedford, OH
High School: St. Peter Chanel
Club: Cleveland Whitecaps
Sarah Honacki will join the Flyers next season after a four-year prep career at St. Peter Chanel HS near Cleveland. The four-time First Team All-Conference selection, Honacki was also selected her team's MVP four times as she racked up 1,052 career saves and stopped eight penalty kicks in her career. The 5-10 goalkeeper, Honacki also excelled academically at St. Peter Chanel, earning High Honors recognition from her school all four years.
"While she has limited experience playing at the highest levels, we are excited about Sarah's upside potential as a goalkeeper." Tucker said. "She has the size and athleticism to excel and should benefit from everyday training and tremendous competition."
Rachael Kohntopp
Position: MF/D
Height: 5-7
Hometown: Toledo, OH
High School: St. Ursula Academy
Club: Toledo FC
After helping guide St. Ursula Academy to the State Semifinals in 2004, Rachael Kohntopp will join the Flyers next season along with teammate Stephanie Wurth. Kohntopp, who stands 5-7, has experience in both the midfield and defense and was a First Team All-Conference and Second Team All-District player last season. A member of the National Honor Society, she was also recruited by Ohio and Bowling Green.
"Rachael has experience playing in the midfield or as a defender," Tucker said. "She is active, can win balls and can get into the offense."
Anne Mariscalco
Position: F/MF
Height: 5-5
Hometown: Centerville, OH
High School: Centerville
Club: Dayton Soccer Academy
Anne Mariscalco comes to UD following standout careers for both Centerville HS and the Dayton Soccer Academy. The highly-recruited 5-5 forward, Mariscalco was also targeted by Clemson, Ohio State, Tennessee, Boston College and West Virginia. In three years at Centerville, she scored 61 points on 16 goals and 29 assists. Her 2004 DSA team was State Cup champions and lost in the Region II finals to the eventual national champion Michigan Hawks. Just recently, Mariscalco was selected to play for the U19 Region II Team at the National Training Center. Coming from a family of athletes, her brothers John and Michael played soccer at Butler (John then played in the MLS for Dallas while Michael is on the PDL Chicago Reserves). Both her grandfathers were college athletes - Barto Mariscalco played football at UD while William Morrisey was on the crew team at Wisconsin.
"Anne is creative player with high energy and an attacking mentality," Tucker said. "She is adept with either foot and can attack goal or set up teammates."
Kim Sacher
Position: MF
Height: 5-4
Hometown: San Diego, CA
High School: Patrick Henry
Club: San Diego Surf
UD's first recruit from California, Kim Sacher is a high-scoring striker with a successful club and high school background. Sacher has been in the Region IV Pool, while playing club soccer for the highly-regarded San Diego Surf. At the high school level, Sacher helped lead Patrick Henry HS to the California State Finals in 2002 and to the State Semifinals in 2003. Although her senior campaign is not yet complete, she has scored six goals and 15 assists this season for 27 points. For her career, she has posted 30 goals, 54 assists for 114 points. Sacher was her league's MVP as a junior and a First Team All-State selection. Pepperdine, Pennsylvania and Columbia also recruited the 5-4 midfielder.
"Kim brings great skill and athleticism as an attacking player," Tucker said. "The MVP of an excellent high school league as a junior and playing in the midfield with a national-level San Diego Surf, Kim is experienced playing at the highest levels."
Corey Shubitowski
Position: MF/F
Height: 5-6
Hometown: Columbus, OH
High School: Bishop Watterson
Club: NCSL Eagles
A two-sport athlete at Bishop Watterson HS in Columbus, Corey Shubitowski helped guide both the women's soccer and swimming teams to Central Catholic League titles. The 5-6 midfielder was named the soccer team's Best Offensive Player in both 2003 and 2004 and was selected First Team All-District as a senior. Shubitowski scored 57 points on 21 goals and 15 assists over her three-year prep career. Her team reached the District Semifinals after going 11-7-1 her during her senior campaign. Michigan and Iowa were among the schools recruiting Shubitowski
"Corey is very strong and has surprisingly good speed which enables her to be a very capable attacker," Tucker said. "With additional training and experience she could play defensively."
Stephanie Wurth
Position: MF
Height: 5-7
Hometown: Toledo, OH
High School: St. Ursula Academy
Club: Pacesetter
Also joining the Flyers from St. Ursula Academy is Stephanie Wurth. In each season with St. Ursula, her team advanced from the District Semifinals as a freshman, to the District Finals as a sophomore, to the Regional Final as a junior and the State Final Four as a senior. She -- along with Gallow -- has been in the `87 Region II Pool. The 5-7 midfielder is a three-time First Team All-League selection, two-time First Team All-District pick and selected First Team All-State and to the Midwest All-Region Team as a junior and senior. Wurth totaled 67 points on 17 goals and 33 assists in her four-year prep career. Her brother Rob plays soccer at Michigan. Wurth chose UD over Minnesota, West Virginia, Missouri and Kentucky.
"Steph has been great at creating scoring opportunities for her teammates," Tucker said. She possesses a great touch in the midfield and her skills enable her to continue in this role, or perhaps stepping into a central defender position. She has excellent knowledge of the game.
These nine student-athletes will join the 21 returning players from last year's team, which finished 20-2-0 and ranked No. 20 nationally. The Flyers set a new school records for wins in 2004 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth consecutive year and fifth time since 1999. UD captured both the Atlantic 10 Conference regular season and tournament titles.
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