HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Northern Kentucky University women's soccer coach
Bob Sheehan has signed eight recruits to national letters of intent for the 2013 season.
The Norse finished their first season competing at the NCAA Division I level with a 6-11 overall record, and 3-6 in the Atlantic Sun Conference. NKU was honored by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America for its efforts both on the field and in the classroom with its seventh consecutive National Team Academic Award after posting an overall 3.46 grade point average. The Norse were one of only seven Division I programs to be honored with a Team Ethics Award.
“Overall, this recruiting class is a high-character group of student-athletes who achieve both academically and athletically,” Sheehan said. “We are very proud of how our student-athletes represent both the university and our women's soccer program on and off the field. This group of young ladies will fit in well with the standards of the program in terms of academic success and sportsmanship.”
These players will join the Norse for their second season as a Division I program and include:
--
Sam Davis, a 2013 graduate of Oak Hills High School in Cincinnati, led the Highlanders to a 12-1-5 record as a senior. She
scored three goals and added eight assists on the year. She earned second-team All-Greater Miami Conference and academic All-Southwest accolades for her efforts on the field and in the classroom.
“Sam possesses a high skill level and excels at creating opportunities for her teammates,” Sheehan said. “She combines nicely with her teammates. She excels at making the pass leading to a goal and often prefers to have an assist rather than a goal. Sam's talents will be an excellent complement to our existing forwards.”
--
Lexi Kliza, a 2013 graduate of Stevenson High School in Livonia, Mich., enters her senior season as a four-year varsity starter. She helped the Spartans to an 8-8-1 record as a junior and collected two goals and five assists on the year. She has earned All-Conference, All-District and All-Observer team honors during her career at Stevenson.
“Lexi is our second player from the strong Vardar club in Michigan,” Sheehan said. “Further, she has participated in the ODP program for many years in Michigan, so she has played at a high level. Lexi brings a high level of technical ability and excels at keeping possession. She is also versatile in that she can play in the defense and in the midfield.”
--
Katelyn Newton, a 2013 graduate of Anderson High School in Cincinnati, scored 19 goals and collected 15
assists during her four-year career with the Redskins. She earned All-Fort Ancient Valley Conference honors every season, including first-team nods as a junior and senior. Newton was named first-team All-City in 2012 as well.
“Katelyn possesses an outstanding work ethic,” Sheehan said. “Katelyn is a competitor who will bring a ball winning mentality to the midfield, in addition to providing strength, power, and skill. Katelyn has been a consistently strong performer through her high school years as evidenced by being an all-conference honoree in each of her four years.”
--
Kelly Neumann, a 2013 graduate of Bellbrook(Ohio) High School, was a talented goalie who helped the Golden Eagles to a15-3-2 record and advance to the regional semifinals as a senior. She gathered 33 saves as a senior, and Neumann earned second-team All-Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association honors and Bellbrook's coaches and sportsmanship awards.
“At 5-foot-11, Kelly brings excellent size to the goalkeeper position,” Sheehan said. “Kelly is a presence in goal, and she has demonstrated nice range in dealing with high balls. She gets off her line quickly and is fearless in a breakaway situation. Kelly is a multiple sport athlete, and we look for Kelly to continue to grow and develop as she focuses on soccer at the intercollegiate level.”
--
Elle Nguyen, a 2013 graduate of Lakota West High School in West Chester, Ohio, was a talented defender for the Firebirds. She added one goal and one assist while being a member of a defensive group that collected seven shutouts during the 2012 season. Nguyen was named to the All-Greater Miami Conference second team for her performance as a senior.
“I met Elle at a clinic a few years ago, and her leadership skills were noted very quickly,” Sheehan said. “Elle is an extremely intelligent and engaging young lady. Elle plays with a high level of enthusiasm. She possesses a strong understanding of the game, and she is a physically strong defender.”
--
Sami Rutowski, a 2013 graduate of Mason (Ohio) High School, was a talented midfielder who played all four years at the varsity level. She helped the Comets to a 20-2-1 record as a senior and advance to the state championship game. During her career, she collected 32 goals and 22 assists. Rutowski earned first-team All-Greater Miami Conference honors as a junior and senior, along with first-team All-City and second-team Ohio Division I All-State accolades as a senior.
“Sami was a key player for both her club team winning multiple Ohio South championships and in leading her high school team to the Ohio high school state finals,” Sheehan said. “Sami plays with a nonstop fury. She is extremely versatile as she can play forward, midfield or defense at a high level. Sami was the engine of her team, and her efforts and talents were rewarded by being an All-Ohio selection.”
--
Chrissy Spears, a 2013 graduate of Saint Ursula Academy in Cincinnati, helped the Bulldogs to a 12-6-1 record as a senior. She was a member of a defense that collected six shutouts and did not allow more than three goals in a game during the 2012 season. Spears earned second-team All-Girls Greater Cincinnati League honors as a senior for her efforts on defense.
“Chrissy brings a winning mentality to the program as her teams have been very successful,” Sheehan said. “She is a terrific first defender as she pressures the ball well from her position on the backline. She does a wonderful job of keeping play in front of her. Quite simply, Chrissy gets the job done as a smart and strong defender.”
--
Brieh Walker, a 2013 graduate of Little Miami High School in Maineville, Ohio, was a talented defender and four-year varsity member for the Panthers. She connected on 11 goals and added nine assists as a senior and led Little Miami to a 9-7 record. Walker was a part of a defensive unit that shutout opponents four times as a senior. She was named an academic all-American each year and earned All-Southwest Ohio Conference honors as a sophomore and senior. In 2012, she was named the Panthers' co-most valuable player.
“I met Brieh at a clinic when she was just a freshman, and she immediately made a strong impression,” Sheehan said. “Brieh brings technical ability, athleticism and a physical toughness that belies her size. She has been a leader through her high school years. Brieh has also been a key contributor to a strong club team which won multiple Ohio South championships.”
NKU will begin the season in August.
