WOMEN'S SOCCER SIGNS EIGHT TO NLIS IN 2012 RECRUITING CLASS
2/22/2012
Women's soccer signed eight student-athletes in its 2012 recruiting class.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Sacramento State women's soccer team and head coach Randy Dedini have announced the addition of eight student-athletes for the 2012 season.
Alyssa Anderson, Lydia Bowman, Ashley Cella, Kassidy Kellogg, Jennifer Lum, Maggie Pleis, Jessica Small and McKenna Swanson will all begin their Sacramento State women's soccer careers next season.
"This 2012 group may be one of the top classes ever for Sacramento State women’s soccer," Dedini said. "I’m extremely excited about the amount of talent and the types of student-athletes we have joining our family. We have some incredibly gifted offensive players joining us as well as strong athletes who can fill important roles. We’ve always had a stingy defense, but with this class we've strongly addressed our goal scoring ability. Although young, I expect several of these players to compete for starting positions immediately."
ALYSSA ANDERSON - F Santa Rosa, Calif. (Montgomery HS) (Santa Rosa United)
A four-year starter for head coach Pat McDonald at Montgomery HS...scored 16 goals with 12 assists in her senior year...a North Bay League selection after her sophomore, junior and season seasons...helped the Vikings to a North Coast Section championship in 2009 as a sophomore after a 22-1 season.
Dedini: "Alyssa is an extremely exciting player for us because she’s the type of player that strikes fear in her opponents. Speed kills and Alyssa has explosive speed and quickness and will be a constant threat to get in behind defenses. She is also a very tough defender who we can utilize as a marking back to shut down any speed threat."
A four-year starter for head coach Michael Skene at Agoura HS...named first team all-Marmonte League last season as a junior...played club soccer with Real SoCal...scored the only goal in the 2009 U15 Junior World Club Championship match in Sweden, earning MVP honors.
Dedini: "Lydia is a very strong ball handling and possessive midfielder. She is very comfortable playing in tight spaces and playing one- and two-touch soccer. She will be a good connector from our backs to our forwards and her strong communication skills will make all the players around her better."
ASHLEY CELLA - MF/F Santa Rosa, Calif. (Montgomery HS) (Santa Rosa United)
A four-year starter for head coach Pat McDonald at Montgomery HS...an all-North Bay League selection after her sophomore and senior seasons...scored two goals in the title game to lead the Vikings to a North Coast Section championship in 2009 as a sophomore after a 22-1 season.
Dedini: "Ashley is a gifted distributer and playmaker who can make all the passes. Her ability to make pinpoint passes both over distance and in tight spaces will make her an excellent complement to our front line. Ashley is also a free kick specialist who can drop bombs or finesse the perfect pass."
A four-year starter for head coaches Tennille Vance and Shaylee Wilson at Brighton HS...a second team all-state selection following her senior season when she scored 11 goals and was team captain...helped the Bengals to an undefeated 17-0-3 record and 5A state championship in her junior campaign.
Dedini: "I believe Kassidy is one of the most complete athletes I’ve ever recruited to Sacramento State. She will create mismatches for most of our opponents with her rare combination of size, speed, strength and stamina. Kassidy is physical presence to be reckoned with and will compete for time immediately in our front or back line."
JENNIFER LUM - MF Folsom, Calif. (St. Francis HS) (Placer United)
A four-year starter for head coach Rick Carrigan at St. Francis HS...named all-Delta Valley League after her junior and senior seasons...scored four goals and tallied three assists in 2011...led the Troubadors to back-to-back league titles in 2010 and 2011 and a Sac-Joaquin title in 2010.
Dedini: "I’ve been watching Jennifer play for years and she continues to improve every time I watch her. It’s Jen’s offensive awareness, composure and creativity that really excites me about her. She has an excellent work ethic and will fit in well with our style of play. She will be another offensive weapon we can utilize anywhere in our midfield."
MAGGIE PLEIS - F Carnation, Wash. (Cedarcrest HS) (Crossfire Premier)
A three-year starter for head coach Evan Hatch at Cedarcrest HS...named Cascade Conference MVP, first team all-area and first team all-state after her senior season...was also a second team all-state choice as a freshman...scored 17 goals with 12 assists as a senior in 2011...helped the Red Wolves to a Cascade title in 2011.
Dedini: "I think Maggie will make an impact on our offense immediately. Maggie is tough as nails, excellent with her back to goal as well as running at her opponents. She is a dynamic forward who has the playmaking ability of an attacking midfielder, but the toughness, determination and quality of a true goal scorer."
JESSICA SMALL - MF Sacramento, Calif. (Christian Brothers HS/Cal State Northridge)
Played four seasons for the Falcons and head coach Jacob Hunley at Christian Brothers HS...was a four-year starter and a team captain during her senior season...played at Cal State Northridge last season...made one starter while playing in 18-of-19 games as a defender with the Matadors in 2011.
Dedini: "Jessica will be a great addition to our midfield. She’s a very smart player who is excellent in possession and can spray long and accurate passes with both feet. Jessica is a versatile player who can play multiple positions and she will give us consistency and depth to our talented midfield."
McKENNA SWANSON - D Duvall, Wash. (Cedarcrest HS) (Crossfire Premier)
A four-year starter for head coach Evan Hatch at Cedarcrest HS...a four-time first team all-Cascade Conference defender...named second team all-state after her senior season in which she scored three goals with eight assists...helped the Red Wolves to a Cascade title in 2011.
Dedini: "McKenna will be a very welcome addition to our defensive line. Having lost two starting defenders from last season, we had to bring in some young talent and I feel McKenna will make an impact for us right away. She is very difficult to beat and her combination of size, speed and strength will make it hard for any opponent to get clean looks at our goal. McKenna has all the qualities of an anchor on our back line for the next four years."
