North Carolina State University Athletics
Women's Soccer Welcomes Nine Newcomers to Program
2/22/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
RALEIGH, N.C. – NC State women’s soccer coach Laura Kerrigan announced the signing of nine high school seniors to enroll at NC State and play for the Wolfpack this fall.
The Pack has thus far received letters of intent from Kara Baldy, Rachel Barnette, Samantha Herrmann, Haley LeClair, Bre Lukasik, Alyson Santilli, Jordan Saylor, Ashley Shoemaker and Kaitlin Wescoe.
"We're excited about our 2007 class,” explained Kerrigan. “We have some tremendous athletes in this class and expect them to make an immediate impact. Combined with the strong returning class we have, we expect 2007 to be a great year."
Kerrigan stated that recruiting a top goalkeeper was a high priority for the Wolfpack with senior Megan Connors graduating this spring. The Pack accomplished that, signing Barnette (McIntosh High School, Peachtree City, GA). A 2006 NSCAA High School Scholar All-American, Barnette was named first team all-region and All-Fayette County after leading her area in shutouts in 2006. She was between the pipes for a pair of Georgia 5A State Championships in 2004 and 2005, while the club was a state finalist last year. An experienced player at the club level, Barnette was a three-year member of the Georgia Region III ODP team and has recently played with the NASA 07 Elite team from 2005-07, leading the 2006 squad to the state finals. Barnette is expected to battle it out with sophomore returner Sydney Little for the starting position next season.
The Wolfpack did very well recruiting in its own backyard this year with no less that six local recruits. Baldy (Sanderson High School, Raleigh), LeClair (C.E. Jordan High School, Durham), Santilli (Apex High School, Apex) and Saylor (Apex High School, Apex), all come from the CASL ’88 Spartan Elite club team, which has won the US Club Regional title in 2005 and the NCYSA State Championship in 2006.
Kerrigan had the following to say about the CASL players, “Kara Baldy is a tough, tenacious forward, who is relentless in winning balls off opposing players and attacking the goal. Haley LeClair is a fast, athletic player who can play many positions on the field and we will utilize that versatility to our advantage. Alyson Santilli and Jordan Saylor are both strong defenders who will no doubt be challenging for starting roles in the backfield next year.”
Wescoe (Garner Magnet High School, Willow Spring, N.C.), who played for the younger CASL ’89 Spartan Elite club team, will also figure in strongly to next year’s team. “Kaitlin is a true leader on the field and off,” said Kerrigan. As a team captain all four years, she also earned team MVP honors twice. Wescoe’s CASL Spartan Elite club team, won the NCYSA State Cup titles in 2005 and 2006 and a Super Y-League South Atlantic Regional Championship last summer. Both of her parents graduated from NC State. Father Kyle played four years on the football team from 1975-78.
Shoemaker (Athens Drive High School, Cary), rounds out the local recruits. Shoemaker plays for the Triangle Futbol Club. “Ashley is a quick, smart player who will most likely play at the outside back or outside midfield for us,” said Kerrigan.
The Pack also signed Sabrina Lukasik (Deep Creek High School, Chesapeake, Va.), and Samantha Herrmann (Islip High School, Islip, N.Y). “Sabrina is an extremely versatile player,” said Kerrigan, “she primarily played up front for the Beach FC Majix, but her tenacious defending and ability to win air battles, combined with her speed, makes her an option up front, in the midfield or in the back for us.”
Herrman, who played with the Massapequa Rascals club team, gained valuable experience playing for the Region 1 ODP team coming up through the ranks. “We’ve primarily seen Samantha play in the midfield and we expect her to challenge for a starting position there,” said Kerrigan, “she is an aggressive ball winner who can distribute the ball very well.”
With nine seniors graduating this year, Kerrigan believes that her returning players will have a responsibility to take this freshmen class under their wings early so they can integrate quickly into the Pack’s lineup. “I am very impressed with how our underclassmen are training this spring,” said Kerrigan. “They know that they have a large responsibility for next fall and they are stepping into their leadership role now.”
The Pack has thus far received letters of intent from Kara Baldy, Rachel Barnette, Samantha Herrmann, Haley LeClair, Bre Lukasik, Alyson Santilli, Jordan Saylor, Ashley Shoemaker and Kaitlin Wescoe.
"We're excited about our 2007 class,” explained Kerrigan. “We have some tremendous athletes in this class and expect them to make an immediate impact. Combined with the strong returning class we have, we expect 2007 to be a great year."
Kerrigan stated that recruiting a top goalkeeper was a high priority for the Wolfpack with senior Megan Connors graduating this spring. The Pack accomplished that, signing Barnette (McIntosh High School, Peachtree City, GA). A 2006 NSCAA High School Scholar All-American, Barnette was named first team all-region and All-Fayette County after leading her area in shutouts in 2006. She was between the pipes for a pair of Georgia 5A State Championships in 2004 and 2005, while the club was a state finalist last year. An experienced player at the club level, Barnette was a three-year member of the Georgia Region III ODP team and has recently played with the NASA 07 Elite team from 2005-07, leading the 2006 squad to the state finals. Barnette is expected to battle it out with sophomore returner Sydney Little for the starting position next season.
The Wolfpack did very well recruiting in its own backyard this year with no less that six local recruits. Baldy (Sanderson High School, Raleigh), LeClair (C.E. Jordan High School, Durham), Santilli (Apex High School, Apex) and Saylor (Apex High School, Apex), all come from the CASL ’88 Spartan Elite club team, which has won the US Club Regional title in 2005 and the NCYSA State Championship in 2006.
Kerrigan had the following to say about the CASL players, “Kara Baldy is a tough, tenacious forward, who is relentless in winning balls off opposing players and attacking the goal. Haley LeClair is a fast, athletic player who can play many positions on the field and we will utilize that versatility to our advantage. Alyson Santilli and Jordan Saylor are both strong defenders who will no doubt be challenging for starting roles in the backfield next year.”
Wescoe (Garner Magnet High School, Willow Spring, N.C.), who played for the younger CASL ’89 Spartan Elite club team, will also figure in strongly to next year’s team. “Kaitlin is a true leader on the field and off,” said Kerrigan. As a team captain all four years, she also earned team MVP honors twice. Wescoe’s CASL Spartan Elite club team, won the NCYSA State Cup titles in 2005 and 2006 and a Super Y-League South Atlantic Regional Championship last summer. Both of her parents graduated from NC State. Father Kyle played four years on the football team from 1975-78.
Shoemaker (Athens Drive High School, Cary), rounds out the local recruits. Shoemaker plays for the Triangle Futbol Club. “Ashley is a quick, smart player who will most likely play at the outside back or outside midfield for us,” said Kerrigan.
The Pack also signed Sabrina Lukasik (Deep Creek High School, Chesapeake, Va.), and Samantha Herrmann (Islip High School, Islip, N.Y). “Sabrina is an extremely versatile player,” said Kerrigan, “she primarily played up front for the Beach FC Majix, but her tenacious defending and ability to win air battles, combined with her speed, makes her an option up front, in the midfield or in the back for us.”
Herrman, who played with the Massapequa Rascals club team, gained valuable experience playing for the Region 1 ODP team coming up through the ranks. “We’ve primarily seen Samantha play in the midfield and we expect her to challenge for a starting position there,” said Kerrigan, “she is an aggressive ball winner who can distribute the ball very well.”
With nine seniors graduating this year, Kerrigan believes that her returning players will have a responsibility to take this freshmen class under their wings early so they can integrate quickly into the Pack’s lineup. “I am very impressed with how our underclassmen are training this spring,” said Kerrigan. “They know that they have a large responsibility for next fall and they are stepping into their leadership role now.”
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