Unfortunately, none are from South Carolina:
Lady Eagles Soccer Inks Five
ROCK HILL, SC–Winthrop women’s soccer head coach Melissa Heinz announced the signing of four incoming players to National Letters of Intent, committing to play for the Eagles. The incoming 2007 class includes two forwards, a midfielder and two defenders.
Catherine Cassady, a 5’9 defender, was a First-Team All-State selection out of Brentsville High School in Woodbridge, Va. Cassady scored 71 career goals and was named two-time All-County, All-Area and Washington Post All-Met team, as well as the 2005 Northwest District Player of the Year and Regional Runner-Up.
“Caly will be a tremendous addition to our program and school,” Heinz said. “She is strong in her academics as well as athletics, and one of the most gifted players I have seen play in recent years. She has all the tools you look for in a defender –she handles the ball well under pressure, communicates well and has the confidence to attack out of the back. I look forward to having Caly, with her personality and determination, as a part of this team.”
Serving as her high school team’s captain from 2004-05, Cassady also played club soccer, spending time in the Super Y League as a member of the NOVA Jr. Majestics and as a member of the Washington area girls soccer club U-18 team.
“As I visited each school, I liked them all,” Cassady said. “But from the minutes I met Coach Heinz and the rest of the team, I knew this was the perfect fit for me. I love the campus atmosphere, and the facilities are the best. It fit the perfect picture of how I wanted college and the soccer program to look. I am so excited about being a part of Winthrop women’s soccer.”
Jessica Hausfel, a 5’3 forward/midfielder from Toledo, OH, was named First-Team All-District, First-Team All-League and Best Offensive Player of the Year, while talling 32 career goals at Southview High School.
“Jessica was recruited for her abilities on the ball,” Heinz said. “She has the capability of being very crafty and drives forward to get to goal, and I like that. Jessica will do a great job attacking for our team, and she compliments the offensive core of our team right now. I believe Jessica will compete for a starting position as a forward.”
Hausfeld also played as a member of the Pacesetter club soccer team.
“I choose Winthrop because Coach Heinz and the rest of the team made me feel comfortable and welcomed immediately,” Hausfeld said. “I was impressed with the campus atmosphere and the warmer temperatures!”
Katie Schraudenbach, a 5’8 midfielder from Duluth, GA, was a two-time Midfield Most Valuable Player and the team Most Valuable Player her junior season at Duluth High School. After being named to the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s All-County honorable mention team as a freshman, when she was the second leading scorer, she was named to the newspaper’s First-Team as a junior.
“Katie is a player that is mentally strong,” Heinz said. “Her play on the field is composed and relaxed. Katie is always working on and off the ball; she gives the team 100% effort all the time. She will give Winthrop’s women’s soccer team more poise and composure in the middle. I have confidence that she will contribute in the beginning.”
As a member of her club team, Schraudenbach served as a three-time captain and traveled with a College Experience club team on a European tour.
“This fall, my team traveled around playing different college teams and visiting the schools’ campuses,” Schraudenbach said. “Winthrop was the only school that stood out as soon as we pulled in. I loved the campus, and the complex was amazing. From the beginning, I knew it was somewhere I wanted to be. I’ve always wanted to play college soccer, and I hope to bring a lot to Winthrop next year.”
Dianne Abel, a 5’3 forward from Okinawa, Japan, is a three-time All-Far East selection, and as a two-time Far East MVP lead her team to two championships. The Stars & Stripes Female Athlete of the Year, Abel scored 112 goals in three seasons at Kadena High School.
“Dianne is an all-around athlete,” Heinz said. “She played basketball and soccer and ran cross country at the varsity level. Her abilities in soccer show her athleticism and determination through hard work. Dianne is very well mannered and disciplined, probably from living on a military base with her family in Okinawa. Dianne has quick feet, speed, endurance and a strong leg, and she will challenge our players at Winthrop. Her stats show she has the capability to score and assist, and I look for great things from her.”
After leading the Pacific region in scoring during the 2004 and 2005 seasons, Abel was the first junior to surpass 100 career goals.
“I chose Winthrop for a couple of reasons,” Abel said. “The campus was beautiful and when I came to soccer camp in the summer of 2005, I enjoyed playing with the team and Coach Heinz and Coach Hogan.”
Nicole Cowart, a 5’3 defender from Bunnell, FL, was named Daytona Beach News JournalAll-Area First-Team and All-County Second-Team. Selected to the King of Queens Cup Tourney First-Team, Cowart was selected the Defensive MVP.
A three-time letterwinner at Flagler Palm Coast High School, Cowart’s team was district champions her freshman and sophomore seasons.
