Albany, N.Y. – UAlbany head women’s soccer
coach Mary Frances Monroe has signed eleven incoming freshmen for the 2012
season, as announced on Friday afternoon. The class includes five New York
natives, along with student-athletes from New Jersey, New Hampshire, Maryland
and Massachusetts.
“Our 2012 class is a dynamic group with a great deal of
talent, and we are thrilled to welcome them to the Great Dane family,” said
Monroe. “This is a great group that is committed to building upon the tradition
of excellence that we have in place in the women’s soccer program. Our current
squad has set a high standard of excellence for the program and I feel this
group of 11 both collectively and individually are ready to embrace the
standards that are in place within the women’s soccer program and the Great Dane
family.”
Alana
Brennan: (Patchogue, N.Y./St. John the Baptist) A senior
captain, Brennan was an all-league selection as well as being named team MVP.
She helped lead the Cougars to the league and state championship in 2009, and
also plays on the highly recognized Smithtown Attack Club Team. She also earned
the 2011 New York State Suffolk
Zone Association award for Outstanding Achievement/Academic Excellence and
Outstanding Leadership/Character in Physical Education.
Monroe on Brennan:
“Alana is an athletic and explosive goalkeeper.
She will add depth and a competitive element to the goalkeeping
position.”
Krista
Fitzpatrick: (Levittown, N.Y./Division Avenue) A four-year
letterwinner, Fitzpatrick scored 37 goals and recorded 73 assists in her career.
Fitzpatrick was a team captain as a senior, and was a two-time All-County
selection. She also earned All-Long Island and All-State distinction as a
senior, after leading the team to the Nassau County Championship as the top
seed. Also a member of the East Meadow United Club
Team.
Monroe on Fitzpatrick: “We will look to Krista
to make an immediate impact on the program. She has the ability to take over a
midfield and we look forward to adding her strength and athleticism to the
roster.”
Kelly Kempf:
(Wantagh, N.Y./MacArthur) A five-year varsity starter at MacArthur, Kempf also
plays with the Albertson Fury Club Team. A defender and midfielder during her
career with the Generals, Kempf has ties to UAlbany already, as her sister,
Stephanie, is a member of the Great Danes’ women’s lacrosse program. She helped
lead the team to the state championship in 2011, and was a two-time All-State
and All-County selection.
Monroe on
Kempf: "Kelly comes from a great club experience. She loves to attack out
of the back and has a great sense for the game.”
Leanne Miller: (Massapequa,
N.Y./Kellenberg Memorial) Miller, who also played for the Massapequa Force Club
Team, was the CHSSA Co-Player of the Year as a senior, while also earning
All-Long Island Second Team and All-State Third Team honors.
Monroe on Miller: “Leanne is a versatile player
who will compete at a variety of positions for us."
Tiffany O’Keeffe:
(Monroe, N.Y./Washingtonville) O’Keeffe led the Wizards to the section
championship in 2008, 2009 and 2011, and was named the team’s most valuable
striker in 2008, while also being a two-time all-state selection. She led the
team in scoring for two seasons, and was also a two-time Times Herald Record
All-Star. O’Keeffe also played with the Quickstrike FC U17 Premier team and the
U16 Classic team.
Monroe on
O'Keeffe: “Tiffany is a natural goal scorer with a tough, competitive
edge."
Rebecca Dinis:
(Allenwood, N.J./Wall) Dinis led Wall to the SCT finals in 2010, for the first
time since 1998, and advanced again in 2011. Dinis led her club team to the
State Cup Championship in 2009, and was a two-time National Cup Finalist.
Monroe on Dinis: “Becky is a
composed and crafty athlete. Her vision and distribution will be a true asset to
our attack.”
Allison Carhart:
(Manalapan, N.J./Manalapan) Carhart finished her high school career with 28
goals and 27 assists. A Coaches Division All-Monmouth County selection, Carhart
also played for the Freehold Shooting Starts, winning the US Club NJ State Cup
Championship title in 2009.
Monroe on Carhart: “Allison is a true athlete.
Her size and strength will help her compete at this level. She will provide
depth to our attacking personalities.”
Lizzie Bamber: (Clarkesville,
Md./Riverhill High School) Led the team in assists as a senior captain. Bamber
was an All-Howard County selection and team MVP as a senior, after leading her
squad to the Howard County title and District 5 championships. Bamber also
competes on the Freestate Soccer Club Team.
Monroe on
Bamber: “Lizzie comes from a great club environment and her experiences at
that level will benefit her here at UAlbany. She is an athletic and
attacking-minded player that will bring an edge to our
attack.”
Anna Hogan:
(Millersville, Md./Archbishop Spalding) Led her team to the IAAM finals in three
consecutive seasons, winning the A-Conference title in 2009. Hogan, who ranks
sixth in program history with 17 assists, was selected as a Capital News
All-County Midfielder. A three-year member of Maryland’s Olympic Development
Program, Hogan currently plays for the Freestate Elite in the Elite National
Clubs, competing in the A-Flight Bracket.
Monroe on
Hogan: “Anna is a strong technical player who will make an impact on our
roster. She is an attacking-minded player who wants to go forward. Anna will add
an exciting element to our attack.”
Celia Balf: (Beverly,
Mass./The Waring School) A five-year letterwinner, Balf was a two-time captain
and a three-year league MVP, and played on the Boston Aztecs Club Team. She was
a 1GC First-Team All-Star, and was named a ESPN Rise Top Player in the Greater
Boston Area twice. Balf was also a three-time Boston Globe All-Scholastic
selection after leading the Waring School to three straight 1GC championships.
Monroe on Balf: “Celia is a versatile player
that can play a number of roles for us. Both her competitiveness and willingness
to succeed will be a great addition to the program.”
Shelby Belak:
(Amherst, N.H./Souhegan) Led team to a Division II Semifinal appearance in 2010
before winning the Division II State Championship in 2011. Belak was a
three-time defensive player of the year, Division II All-State honoree and
Nashua Telegram Soccer All-Star. Belak, who was named to the Manchester Union
Leader Girls’ Soccer First Team, attended the New Hampshire Student-Athlete
Leadership Conference as a senior. Belak was also a member of the New Hampshire
ODP and the Seacoast United Premier Soccer Club.
Monroe on
Belak: “Shelby is a true defender. Her ability to
tackle and read the game will make an immediate impact on our
backline.”
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