Ragin? Cajuns Soccer Signs Seven

LAFAYETTE-Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns head soccer coach Scot Wieland announced his 2008 signing class. The class is made up of six players from around the nation, including a pair from Illinois and Louisiana, one from Indiana, Ohio and Texas.

The signing class includes Allison Baker (Alton, Ill.), Kristen Conway (Cincinnati, Ohio), Amber LeBlanc (Broussard, La.), Chelsi McHenry (Fort Wayne, Ind.), Melissa Minton (Lake Charles, La.), Megan Riley (O'Fallon, Ill.) and Nicole White (Mansfield, Texas).

“This class is very solid and we are very excited about the skill level and experience that these young ladies will bring to our program,” Wieland remarked. “This is a very skillful group when it comes to evaluating their technical skill and tactical knowledge.

“These young ladies have all come from very competitive programs not only on the state level but national level and we feel that they will prove to add new and exciting dimensions to our talented returning group” Wieland added. “Adding this talent and experience to a team that is returning 95-percent of their record-setting offensive attack and coming off of the first winning season in the program's history is very exciting.

“This 2008 class is also exceptional in the class room which will mesh in great with our NSCAA National Academic Award winning GPA of 3.46.and will continue to raise the high academic standard that the girls have set for themselves.”

Baker is a 5-5 midfielder/defender out of Alton High School in Alton, Ill. Aside from being a member of the Metro United Soccer Club, she boasts a 4.2 GPA. Baker was the Most Valuable Player for her high school soccer team in 2007 and 2008. She was also All-Metro and a first team All-Conference Selection. Baker was a first team All-Section honoree and District Player of the Year.

“Allison is a very athletic and tenacious defensive player with explosive attacking ability,” Wieland commented. “Allison will be looked at as a defensive midfielder because of her great mobility and speed to get forward and cause a serious threat on offense.”

Conway is a 5-7 forward/midfielder out of Anderson High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. She is a member of the Ohio Elilte Soccer Academy. Conway helped her high school team to the Sectional Championship and District Semifinals. In 2005, she helped her club team to the finals. Conway also led her club team to the Club Regional Championship, as well as, the Club National Finals in 2007.

“Kristen is a very talented attacking midfielder/forward with exceptional technical ability and great tactical awareness,” Wieland remarked. “Kristen will add a lot to the offensive attack as she plays with great composer under pressure which allows her to make great decisions to generate offense.”

LeBlanc is a 5-2 forward from Comeaux High School in Broussard, La. She is a solid student academically as well as on the field. LeBlanc was team captain of her high school soccer team in 2007 and will serve as the captain once again in 2008. She was named All-District in 2007.

“Amber is a very physical forward with very good attacking speed,” Wieland noted. “She will be a great addition to an already talented returning class in 2008. She has a great work ethic and should mesh with the team very well.”

McHenry is a 5-8 forward from Fort Wayne Ind., out of Carroll High School. Aside from her soccer accolades, she boasts a 3.2 GPA. In high school, McHenry was first team All-District and All-State in 2006, 2007, 2008. She was All-Conference all four years of high school, as well as, being named first team All-Area. McHenry was the Carroll High School Most Valuable Player in 2007 and 2008. She was All-County in 2005 and 2006. McHenry also played for the Fort Wayne Fever Soccer Club from 2001-08.

“Chelsi is a very athletic and dangerous attacking player with great mobility off the ball and exceptional speed,” said Wieland. “Chelsi will add to the Cajun attack in 2008 and will be another strong scoring threat.”

Minton hails from St. Louis Catholic High School in Lake Charles. She has a 3.6 GPA and is a member of the Cyclones Soccer Club. In high school, Minton was named to the All-State Freshman Team in 2004 and was an All-State selection from 2004-2007. She was named All-District in 2006 and 2007 and was tabbed District Defensive MVP in 2006. Minton also ran track and claimed the State Championship in the 4x400. She also was All-District, All-Regional and All-State in track in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. Minton was the AAU Junior Olympics Regional Heptathlon Champion and placed third in the 4x800 National Meet.

“Melissa is a tremendous athlete with great speed, versatile right/left distribution and ball winning strength,” commented Wieland. “Melissa will add more speed and attacking ability out of the back as well as add another weapon on defense and set pieces.”

Riley is a 5-7 defender/midfielder from O'Fallon, Ill. She played soccer at O'Fallon Township High School where she was team captain from 2006-08. In high school, she was a first team selection in 2007. Riley was named All-Conference in 2006 and 2007. She was a four-time Bi-State Tournament Most Valuable Player. Riley was named first team Bi-State Democrat in 2006 and 2007 and a St. Louis Dispatch honorable mention honoree. Riley ran cross country in high school where she was the MVP in 2004. She was first team All-County, All-Conference, All- Region and All-Section in cross country. Riley was the News Democrat Runner of the Year in 2004.

“Megan is an exceptional athlete with great speed and endurance, a very strong and tactical defensive player with the ability to join the offensive attack,” Wieland explained.

White is a center midfielder and forward from Mansfield High School in Mansfield, Texas who boasts a 3.7 GPA. She has been a member of the Dallas Sting Soccer Club from 2001-08. White was All-District in high school in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

“Nicole is a very strong, technical and tactical attacking center midfielder,” added Wieland. “Nicole is very strong on the ball, has great vision and is a big threat to score. Nicole also has the versatility and experience up top as a forward who is very good as a target and with her back to goal.”

-www.RaginCajuns.com-

University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics

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